Coronal Mass Ejection CME

A coronal mass ejection is literally an ejection of coronal mass from the sun. When this happens a large amount of coronal mass is shot off from the sun, the coronal mass estimated to contain millions of tons of plasma. Coronal mass ejections are observed and recorded by telescopes equipped with coronagraphs.

While the explanation for coronal mass ejection remains to be theoretical, the general consensus lie that it is caused by magnetic forces within the sun. It must be remembered that the corona is made up primarily of plasma which is basically ionized gas. Plasma is greatly affected by magnetic fields.

Coronal mass ejections are noted to happen primarily in “active” areas of the sun. Active areas of the sun are noted for increased temperature and magnetic activity. Exceptionally strong coronal mass ejections can even reach the earth causing auroras in the north and south hemisphere, power outages and even damage to satellites.

Coronal mass ejections are relatively common being noted to happen nearly daily to as much as five times a day, this of course account only to the side of the sun facing us because it is harder to observe the “far side” of the sun. Not all coronal mass ejections actually reach it as far as the Earth.

Coronal Mass Ejection

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