Predicting coronal mass ejections transit times

We used a neural network (NN) to analyse TT for 153 events with only two input parameters: initial velocity of the CME, v, and central meridian distance, CMD, of its associated flare. We found that transit time dependence on v is showing a typical drag-like pattern in the solar wind.

The results show that the speed at which acceleration by drag changes to deceleration is v~500km/s. TT are also found to be shorter for CMEs associated with flares on the western hemisphere than those originating on the eastern side of the Sun. We attribute this difference to the eastward deflection of CMEs on their path to 1 au.