When two nuclei collide with a nonzero impact parameter, their velocity vectors define a reaction plane (grey). The magnetic field created by the moving nuclei points, on average, in the direction of the relative angular momentum of the nuclei, perpendicular to the reaction plane. The presence of the magnetic field leads to a local violation of P and CP symmetry for strongly interacting, electrically charged particles (quarks). Because of this chiral magnetic effect, particles carrying charges of the same sign will be preferentially emitted into the same hemisphere (arrows and ); those with charges of opposite sign will be emitted into different hemispheres (arrows and ). Fluctuations of the charge symmetry with respect to the collision plane, which have been observed by the STAR Collaboration, may therefore be a signature of local parity violation.