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The relationship between CMEs and geomagnetic activity indices like the A and K indexes is quite direct. Geomagnetic activity indices like the A and K indices are measures of the strength of the Earth’s magnetic field perturbations caused by the solar wind and CMEs. The A index measures the overall level of geomagnetic activity on a given day. In contrast, the K index measures the strength of geomagnetic disturbances in three hours.
A CME hitting the Earth’s magnetic field can cause significant disturbances, increasing the A and K indices. These disturbances can cause a geomagnetic storm, affecting various technologies that rely on the Earth’s magnetic field, including power grids, communication systems, and navigation systems.
But not only that, but it also impacts the human body. Just have a browse through the different KP-index levels to get an idea.
There are two indices that are used to determine the level of geomagnetic activity:
These give indications of the severity of the magnetic fluctuations and hence the disturbance to the ionosphere. The K index is the first of the two indices to measure geomagnetic activity.
Each magnetic observatory calibrates its magnetometer. Its K index describes the same level of magnetic disturbance, no matter whether the observatory is located in the auroral regions or at the Earth’s equator. At three hourly intervals starting at 0000 UTC each day, the maximum deviations from the quiet day curve at a particular observatory are determined, and the largest value is selected.
This value is then manipulated mathematically, and the K index is calculated for that location. The K index is a “quasi logarithmic” number and, as such, cannot be averaged to give a longer-term view of the state of the Earth’s magnetic field. And so can the A index, a daily average. At each 3- hour increment, the K index at an observatory is converted to an equivalent “a” index using Table 1. The eight a-index values are averaged to produce the A index for that day. It can vary up to values around 100.
During very severe geomagnetic storms, it can reach values of up to 200 and very occasionally more. The A index reading varies from the observatory to the next since magnetic disturbances can be local.
To overcome this, the indices are averaged over the globe to provide the Ap index, the planetary value. Similarly, the Kp index is the planetary average of all the K indices at observatories around the globe.
Although geomagnetic and ionospheric storms are interrelated, it is worth noting that they are different. A geomagnetic storm is a disturbance of the Earth’s magnetic field, and an ionospheric storm is a disturbance of the ionosphere.
(Coming soon on this page)
I wrote a routine for another project in the USA, as part of a world news network (now abandoned), where I get the file from NOAA, they make a file every 3 hrs that has the following information in it. I at the moment only take the KPI index and when the recording was made. I will write something like that on here, that when you subscribe you get an KPI mail message if KPI is worth alerting to.
I have decided not to report on KP values below 6, they do not have a real impact on our day to day life. Reporting KPI every 3hrs might lead to Alarm fatigue. In the previous project I used ZELLO, but I might switch to Telegram for reporting.
The KPI Classifications, every time I mentioned CME, Solar Flares, KP etc, people think…. “she be right, Mate.” Little do people know that there is a direct relationship between all of these and what is happening on this little planet we call home.
Let’s have a look.
Power systems: widespread voltage control problems and protective systems problems can occur, some grid systems may experience complete collapse or blackouts. Transformers may experience damage.
Spacecraft operations: may experience extensive surface charging, problems with orientation, uplink1 downlink and tracking satellites.
Other systems: pipeline currents can reach hundreds of amps. HF (“high frequency’) radio propagation may be impossible in many areas for one to two days, satellite navigation may be degraded for days, low-frequency radio navigation can be out for hours, and aurora has been seen as low as Florida and southern Texas (typically 40° geomagnetic lat.).
Health-Risk Patients: Cardiac Coronary/Ventricular Dysfunction, Infarction, Arrhythmia, Stroke (think heart and blood pressure)
All Biological Life: Seizure, Migrain, Cognitive Diminution Risk is increased, Melanin and Light-Based Disorders.
Airline Passengers: Increased risk of all above-listed hazards. Radiation risk elevated.
(Never base important decisions that could result in harm to people or property on this information. We do our best, but we are not medically qualified)
Power systems: possible widespread voltage control problems and some protective systems will mistakenly trip, out key assets from the grid.
Spacecraft operations: may experience surface charging and tracking problems, corrections may be needed for orientation problems.
Other systems: induced pipeline currents affect preventive measures. HF radio propagation sporadic, satellite navigation degraded for hours, low-frequency radio navigation disrupted, and aurora has been seen as low as Alabama and northern California (typically 45° geomagnetic lat.).
Health-Risk Patients: Cardiac Coronary/Ventricular Dysfunction, Infarction, Arrhythmia, Stroke (think heart and blood pressure)
All Biological Life: Seizure, Migrain, Cognitive Diminution Risk is increased, Melanin and Light-Based Disorders.
Airline Passengers: Increased risk of all above-listed hazards. Radiation risk elevated.
(Never base important decisions that could result in harm to people or property on this information. We do our best, but we are not medically qualified)
Power systems: voltage corrections may be required, false alarms triggered by some protection devices.
Spacecraft operations: surface charging may occur on satellite components, drag may increase on low-Earth-orbit satellites, and corrections may be needed for orientation problems.,
Other systems: intermittent satellite navigation and low-frequency radio navigation problems may occur. HF radio may be intermittent, and aurora has been seen as low as Illinois and Oregon.
Health-Risk Patients: Cardiac Coronary/Ventricular Dysfunction, Infarction, Arrhythmia, Stroke (think heart and blood pressure)
All Biological Life: Seizure, Migrain, Cognitive Diminution Risk is increased, Melanin and Light-Based Disorders.
Airline Passengers: Increased risk of all above-listed hazards.
(Never base important decisions that could result in harm to people or property on this information. We do our best, but we are not medically qualified)
Power systems: high-latitude power systems may experience voltage alarms, long-duration storms may cause transformer damage.
Spacecraft operations: corrective actions to orientation may be required by ground control: possible changes in drag affect orbit predictions.
Other systems: HF radio propagation can fade at higher latitudes, and aurora has been seen as low as New York.
Power systems: weak power grid fluctuations can occur.
Spacecraft operations: minor impact on satellite operations possible.
Other systems: migratory animals are affected at this and higher levels: aurora is commonly visible at high latitudes (northern Michigan and Maine).
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