About Digital Alternative to the Kp-Index

Abstract

For more than 40 yr the so-called K-indices have been used to characterize irregular geomagnetic activity. Now that new methods of recording and digital computers are at our disposal it may be questioned, whether some alternative procedure for characterizing of irregular geomagnetic activity has to be preferred.

A proposal for a new procedure is presented. The indices such obtained are named aK (meaning ‘alternative K’), and some conformity with the old K-indices is aimed at. It is not attempted to distinguish between wave radiation and corpuscular radiation from the Sun; consequently, the so-called S _R variation is not removed.

Elaboration of the procedure is realized by inserting a few extra statements in an extensive algorithm for general processing of digitally recorded data. A gradual modification of these statements, while working with the computer language PL/1, has lead to the final formulas.

An appendix is added at the end of the paper. It is a condensed version of the procedure together with a possibly — clarifying example.