Earth-directed Coronal Mass Ejection The Sun erupted with a modest (C-7) flare and coronal mass ejection (June 21, 2011) that was aimed pretty much right towards Earth. SDO observed the burst and ensuing coronal loops (that look like a slinky) in extreme ultraviolet light. Estimates predicted that the particle cloud might mildly impact Earth a few days later, which could perhaps generate some nice aurora at higher latitudes.