EOS Trans. AGU 85 (1), 2, 2004
© American Geophysical Union

Instrument Demonstrates Ability to Closely Track Coronal Mass Ejections

R. Showstack
AGU, Washington, DC, USA

Abstract

A proof-of-concept experiment orbiting 840 km above Earth demonstrates the possibility of instituting a real-time, early warning system for coronal mass ejections, which can cause large geomagnetic storms on the planet, according to scientists involved with the project. Whether or not the experimental Solar Mass Ejection Imager, or SMEI, is able to provide such early warnings, it should pave the way for a future mission to do this, according to mission scientists at an 11 December briefing held during the AGU Fall Meeting in San Francisco.