Derivation ofK-indices using magnetograms constructed from digital data

The purpose of this study is to investigate the feasibility of deriving the traditionalK index from magnetograms plotted from recorded digital data. Digital magnetic data from Ottawa Observatory are available for theX, Y, andZ components in the form of 1 min averaged values and spot values at selected sampling intervals of 1 sec or greater. It is found that the lowerK values tend to be biased downward by one level when a digitizing interval greater than 30 sec is used for construction of the artificial magnetograms. However, for digitizing intervals of 30 sec or less the reconstructed analogue plots are just as reliable as standard-run Ruska magnetograms for the derivation ofK.Contribution from the Earth Physics Branch No. 1132.