The semiannual variation in the magnetic activity indices Aa and Ap

The technique of Complex Demodulation is used to examine the long-term modulation of the semiannual variation in planetary magnetic activity as characterised by the A_a index for 1868–1980 and the A_p index for 1932–1980. From the phase results, strong support is found for an “equinoctial” mechanism for the semiannual variation. The amplitude shows a quasi 11 -year modulation for most of the period of analysis and a pronounced increase over the years 1938–1966 approximately. Comparison of the long-term modulation of the semiannual variation in activity, with that of the occurrence of stormy days suggests that the semiannual modulation is energy dependent, being more effective with increasing energy.