Story perspectives

First Coronal Mass Ejection Detected from Distant Star

11/15/2025

Summary

Story summary

Astronomers confirmed the first coronal mass ejection from star StKM 1-1262, 130 light-years away, observed by LOFAR, showing the star's magnetic grip can be overcome and plasma can escape.
The CME travels at about 2,400 kilometers per second and could strip atmospheres from nearby planets, undermining their habitability.
The finding reshapes views of space weather around M dwarfs and future Square Kilometer Array observations will quantify such eruptions.

History

Historical Context

The first recorded coronal mass ejection (CME) occurred in 1973, revealing the Sun's potential to impact Earth's magnetosphere. This followed earlier observations of solar phenomena, including the significant Carrington Event of 1859, which disrupted telegraph systems. Recent discoveries, such as a CME from star StKM 1-1262, underscore the importance of studying solar activity for understanding exoplanet habitability and space weather.

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Story summary

Astronomers confirmed the first coronal mass ejection from star StKM 1-1262, 130 light-years away, observed by LOFAR, showing the star's magnetic grip can be overcome and plasma can escape.
The CME travels at about 2,400 kilometers per second and could strip atmospheres from nearby planets, undermining their habitability.
The finding reshapes views of space weather around M dwarfs and future Square Kilometer Array observations will quantify such eruptions.

1 / 2