An investigation on time dependency of K index-based geomagnetic storm conditions observed over different locations of North America

Abstract

Today, the scientists and researchers from almost every corner of the world are well aware of the adverse effects of geomagnetic storms on our highly expensive electrical and electromagnetic systems such as power grid transmission, satellite communication, RF communication systems, etc. The severe damaging effects of these storms on human health and on other inhabitants of the biosphere are also not unknown. A survey of literature on space science reveals that location or space dependency of these geomagnetic storms has already been established. Now the question may arise—Are geomagnetic storms time-dependent? To answer this question, a laborious exercise has been performed. K-index data obtained from the US Department of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center, for the year, started from 1994 to 2014 (21 years) over three different locations namely Fredericksburg, College, and Estimated Planetary, are analyzed statistically for the eight different time periods namely 00:00–03:00, 03:00–06:00, 06:00–09:00, 09:00–12:00, 12:00–15:00, 15:00–18:00, 18:00–21:00, 21:00–24:00 hours respectively. Results thus obtained have concluded that apart from space or location dependency the geomagnetic storms are time-dependent also.