Coronal Mass Ejections and Solar Particle Events in Solar Cycle 23

I provide an overview of the coronal mass ejection (CME) phenomenon as recorded primarily by the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) mission during the current solar activity cycle (23). After summarizing the statistical properties of CMEs and their solar-cycle variation, a discussion on the CME-associated activities will be presented. Particular emphasis will be placed on solar energetic particles (SEPs), which are related to CMEs that are faster and wider on average. Even though it is generally accepted that large SEP events are due to CME-driven shocks, the correlation between the two phenomena is less than perfect. Reasons for this poor correlation will be explored, including the influence of preceding CMEs. Fast and wide CMEs also produce long-wavelength radio bursts, so the connection between SEP events and radio bursts will be explored. Finally, I will discuss the implications of CMEs to the evolution of the global solar magnetic field and to the 22-year cosmic ray modulation cycle.