2012-05-18 Region 1476 Fading Out w/ a Class M5 CME Farewell Glancing ...

 
The Solar Radiation Storm is winding down as Region 1476 disappears around west limb. The class M5 coronal mass ejection (CME) that flew off the sun's western limb on May 17th might hit Earth after all and could deliver just a glancing blow as anticipated from yesterday's CME, along with class C1 and C2 flares. Also expected is to possibly bring G1 (Minor) Geomagnetic Storm conditions for short periods today and tomorrow, May 18 -19.
The speckles in the SOHO clip are caused by energetic protons hitting the observatory's detector (SOHO). Those protons may have been accelerated in part by the shock wave en route to Earth.

According to NOAA, there is a 40% chance of minor geomagnetic storms and a 15% chance of strong storms when the shock arrives. High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras.
Solar wind speed: 399.8 km/sec

X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: C2 1347 UT May18
24-hr: C3 0823 UT May18