Interplanetary spacecraft capture a coronal mass ejection component hidden from Earth
During a coronal mass ejection (CME), the sun hurls billions of tons of magnetized plasma into space. These eruptions are among the most powerful events in the solar system, and when they are aimed toward Earth, they can seriously threaten the satellites and power grids we depend on. For now, it remains notoriously difficult to predict how these eruptions evolve over time—and, in turn, whether…
A recent coronal mass ejection (CME) contained a fast-moving, asymmetric component that went undetected in Earth-based observations. This hidden piece of the CME was discovered in December 2024 by NASA's Europa Clipper spacecraft, which detected unusual solar wind conditions during its voyage to Jupiter. By analyzing data from a network of 17 spacecraft, including Europa Clipper and STEREO-A, researchers reconstructed the true structure of the CME.
Earth-based observations suggested the CME was moving away from Earth, but the STEREO-A spacecraft detected a separate, faster-moving component heading toward Earth—an asymmetric CME component invisible from Earth's perspective. This hidden component could have posed a significant radiation risk to astronauts had they been in the vicinity.
The study highlights the potential value of planetary missions in transit as an early-warning network to supplement dedicated space-weather satellites, essential for future interplanetary exploration.
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