Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) are electrified, magnetic clouds of gases with up to 1 billion degrees Celsius, hurled into space by the sun. They are also called solar eruptions, ejected from the solar corona. They are thrown with tremendous speeds of up to 2000 kilometers per second.
Cannibal Coronal Mass Ejections, on the other hand, are much deadlier and harmful CMEs. They are triggered when after a slow CME erupts, a fast one from the same solar region explodes. The fast CME swallows the first one, resulting in an outward-moving direction.
Cannibal Coronal Mass Ejections, when directed towards the Earth, can trigger magnetic storms when they collide with our planet’s magnetic field. These storms can disrupt electric power, such as what happened in 1989 in Quebec and can cause auroras as far as Texas. They can also affect satellites, navigation systems, radio communications, and other power systems.
Cannibal Coronal Mass Ejections, can trigger geomagnetic storms and also be harmful to humans and other living things on Earth. The solar flares can cause radiation poisoning, but the planet’s atmosphere and magnetosphere provide ample protection. Astronauts working in space, however, are prone to lethal amounts of radiation from Cannibal Coronal Mass Ejections. These eruptions aren’t rare, but happen frequently. When wearing only a space suit, high-energy particles can cause cancer, chromosomal damages and sometimes, instant death.
Coronal Mass Ejection