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Glossary term: Eyección de masa coronal (CME)

Description: Una eyección de masa coronal (o CME por sus siglas en inglés) es la expulsión explosiva de plasma solar y su campo magnético desde el Sol (y otras estrellas similares) hacia la heliosfera (o astrosfera en el caso de otras estrellas). Las CME son explosiones magnéticas, normalmente asociadas a erupciones solares. Una CME es una eyección física de material, a diferencia de una «erupción», que se limita a la radiación visible. Las CME varían ampliamente en cuanto a estructura, densidad y velocidad. Las CME que impactan en la Tierra pueden provocar importantes tormentas geomagnéticas.

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Term and definition status: The original definition of this term in English have been approved by a research astronomer and a teacher
The translation of this term and its definition is still awaiting approval

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Two bright arcs of material, two halves of a broken loop, project outwards from a section of the Sun.

A Coronal Mass Ejection

Caption: A burst of solar material can be seen erupting from the Sun in this view, illustrating a coronal mass ejection (CME)—a large eruption of plasma and magnetic field from the Sun’s outer atmosphere, or corona. These CMEs are caused by magnetic explosions in the Sun's corona. During a CME, huge amounts of electrically charged particles are launched into space at great speeds, carrying part of the Sun’s magnetic field with them. These events are driven by changes in the Sun’s magnetic structure and release vast clouds of hot gas that travel outward into the solar system. When a CME moves through space, it can interact with a planet’s magnetic field and atmosphere, sometimes creating spectacular auroras or, in strong cases, interfering with artificial satellites and power systems. CMEs are often associated with a temporary brightening of the region of the Sun where the CME originated. This is known as a solar flare. Stars other than the Sun can also have CMEs and flares. This image was taken by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). This is a space mission to monitor the Sun. The image here is taken at a special wavelength which partially ionised helium emits strongly at.
Credit: NASA/Goddard/SDO credit link

License: PD Public Domain icons