NASA's PUNCH mission has unveiled its first images of colossal solar eruptions known as coronal mass ejections (CMEs) — delivering an unprecedented, wide-field view of how these solar storms travel through the inner solar system.
CMEs are vast plumes of plasma and magnetic field ejected from the sun. When directed toward Earth, they can trigger geomagnetic storms that disrupt satellites, GPS and pose risks to astronauts. These geomagnetic storms can also supercharge auroras, leading to incredible light shows beyond their usual latitude range. Understanding the mechanisms behind these key drivers in space weather will help protect satellites, astronauts, and infrastructure, while also giving us a better sense of when to expect dramatic aurora displays.
