What is Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs)?
Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are large bursts of hot, magnetized plasma that erupt from the Sun’s corona, the outermost layer of the Sun’s atmosphere. They can travel millions of kilometers through space and carry billions of tons of solar material.
CMEs can have a significant impact on Earth’s magnetosphere, the region around Earth that is dominated by Earth’s magnetic field. When a CME hits the magnetosphere, it can cause a geomagnetic storm. Geomagnetic storms can disrupt satellites, power grids, and communication systems.
The severity of a geomagnetic storm depends on the strength and direction of the CME. Strong CMEs can cause widespread power outages and damage to satellites. Weaker CMEs may only cause minor disruptions, such as auroras (northern and southern lights).
