Propagation of coronal mass ejections from the Sun to the Earth

Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs), as they can inject a large amounts of mass and magnetic flux into the interplanetary space, are primary source space weather phenomena on Earth. The present review first briefly introduces solar surface signatures origins CMEs then focuses attempts to understand kinematic evolution from Sun have been observed in corona white-light series missions over last five decades. In particular, LASCO/SOHO has provided almost continuous coverage for more than two cycles until today. However, observations LASCO suffered projection effects limited field view (within 30 Rs Sun). launch 2006 twin STEREO spacecraft made possible multiple viewpoints imaging observations, which enabled us assess CMEs. Moreover, heliospheric imagers (HIs) onboard continuously unexplored distance gap between Finally, Earth-directed that before routinely identified only near Earth at 1 AU situ ACE WIND, could also be longitudes away Sun-Earth line using instruments STEREO. Our presents frequently used methods estimation kinematics their arrival time primarily SOHO observations. We emphasize need deriving three-dimensional (3D) properties locations line. results improving CME prediction open issues holding back progress discussed. we summarize importance discuss path forward achieve improved forecasting.