Journal article
The structure of a complex, asymmetric coronal mass ejection revealed by 17 spacecraft across the inner heliosphere
Science advances, Vol.12(34), eaed9960
08/21/2026
DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aed9960
PMID: 42616892
Abstract
Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are enormous bursts of plasma and magnetic field from the Sun that propagate explosively through the Solar System. CMEs are the primary drivers of the most severe space-weather events, posing major radiation hazards for human exploration beyond Earth’s magnetosphere, including missions to the Moon and Mars. During Europa Clipper’s cruise between Earth and Mars, its Plasma Instrument for Magnetic Sounding (PIMS) recorded unusual solar-wind conditions later identified as the wake of a complex CME. Data from an unprecedented network of 17 spacecraft across the inner Solar System revealed a hidden Earth-directed component that propagated asymmetrically and could not have been predicted without off-Sun-Earth-line observations. This component also affected Europa Clipper and Mars, demonstrating how a missed forecast of this kind could endanger a crewed mission. These findings highlight the need for multipoint observations, including planetary missions in cruise, to improve space-weather forecasting, mission planning, and operations.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- The structure of a complex, asymmetric coronal mass ejection revealed by 17 spacecraft across the inner heliosphere
- Creators
- Adrienn Luspay-Kuti - Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics LaboratoryDrew L. Turner - Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics LaboratoryEvangelos Paouris - Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics LaboratoryAngelos Vourlidas - Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics LaboratoryAlexander B. Crew - Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics LaboratoryRalph L. McNutt - Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics LaboratoryJoseph H. Westlake - HeliophysicsSavvas Raptis - Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics LaboratoryCorey J. Cochrane - Jet Propulsion LaboratoryXianzhe Jia - University of MichiganCarol A. Raymond - Jet Propulsion LaboratoryHaje Korth - Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics LaboratoryDaniel Heyner - Technische Universität BraunschweigKathleen Hanley - University of California, BerkeleyAli Rahmati - University of California, BerkeleyJacob R. Gruesbeck - Goddard Space Flight CenterJasper S. Halekas - University of IowaShannon M. Curry - Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space PhysicsHoward Todd Smith - Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics LaboratoryMichael L. Stevens - Smithsonian Astrophysical ObservatoryElias Roussos - Max Planck Institute for Solar System ResearchKathleen E. Mandt - Goddard Space Flight CenterMargaret G. Kivelson - University of California, Los AngelesJames A. Slavin - University of MichiganDany Waller - Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics LaboratoryKrishan K. Khurana - University of California, Los AngelesTom Andre Nordheim - Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics LaboratoryCarol S. Paty - University of OregonAbigail M. Rymer - Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics LaboratoryJoachim Saur - University of CologneNorbert Krupp - Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Science advances, Vol.12(34), eaed9960
- DOI
- 10.1126/sciadv.aed9960
- PMID
- 42616892
- NLM abbreviation
- Sci Adv
- ISSN
- 2375-2548
- eISSN
- 2375-2548
- Publisher
- American Association for the Advancement of Science
- Grant note
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA): 1715071 NASA from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology: 1715071 NASA from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology: 1711220, 80NM0018D0004 NASA: 80NSSC22K0970 Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory Independent Research and Development funding NASA from the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory: 193072 NASA from the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory: 193078, 195680, 193016 NASA: 80NSSC22K0225, NNH10CC04C German Ministerium fur Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz German Zentrum fur Luft-und Raumfahrt: 50QW2202
This work was supported by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and other sources as follows: NASA subcontract 1715071 from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology (A.L.-K., A.B.C., R.L.M., H.T.S., D.W.,T.A.N., and A.M.R.); NASA subcontract 1711220 from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology (D.L.T. and H.K.); NASA contract 80NM0018D0004 at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology (C.J.C., C.A.R., J.S., M.G.K., and K.K.K.); NASA grant 80NSSC22K0970 (E.P. and A.V.); Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory Independent Research and Development funding (S.R.); NASA subcontract 193072 from the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (X.Z. and J.A.S.); NASA subcontract 193078 from the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (M.L.S.); NASA contract 80NSSC22K0225 supporting consultation related to the Wind SWE Faraday Cup experiment (M.L.S.); NASA subcontract 195680 from the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (M.H.K. and K.K.K.); NASA subcontract 193016 from the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (C.S.P.); NASA contract NNH10CC04C (K.H., A.M.R., J.R.G., J.S.H., and S.M.C.); and German Ministerium fur Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz and the German Zentrum fur Luft-und Raumfahrt under contract 50QW2202 (D.H.).
- Alternative title
- Asymmetric CME revealed by 17 spacecraft
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 08/21/2026
- Academic Unit
- Physics and Astronomy
- Record Identifier
- 9985219918802771
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