Magnetometers

Disturbance Storm Time index

The Disturbance Storm Time (Dst) index is a measure of geomagnetic activity used to assess the severity of geomagnetic storms. It is expressed in nanoTeslas and is based on the average value of the horizontal component of the Earth's magnetic field measured at four near-equatorial geomagnetic observatories. It measures the growth and recovery of the ring current in the Earth's magnetosphere. The lower these values get, the more energy is stored in Earth's magnetosphere.

Kiruna (Sweden) Help

This magnetogram gives you the values measured by the ground station of Kiruna (Sweden, Europa). For European middle latitude auroral activity the deflection in the magnetometer data should be more than 1300nT. If you are not located in Europe, please consult a magnetometer near your location for a more accurate representation of the current geomagnetic activity.

Stackplot (Europe)

This plot shows several magnetometers that are located in Norway, Denmark and Finland, ranked according to their latitude. When a geomagnetic disturbance starts the most northern magnetometers will respond and as the disturbance strengthens the lower magnetometers will respond as well. Once the stations Dombås (DOB) and Solund (SOL) react, there will be a chance for the European middle latitudes to see aurora low at the northern horizon.

Data from Tromsø Geophysical Observatory (TGO), DTU Space (Technical University of Denmark) and Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI).

CANadian Magnetic Observatory System (Canada)

This diagram shows the data for the last 24 hours from the CANadian Magnetic Observatory System (CANMOS). For each station, the X (north), Y (east) and Z (vertical down) components of the magnetic field are shown. Stations are displayed starting with the most northerly at the top progressing down in decreasing latitude. Universal Time is used. All frames use the same scale (which automatically adjusts to cover the largest variation), so that the relative strengths of the field at different stations can be readily compared. The background colour changes as the general level of activity varies, with green for quiet, yellow, orange and red for increasing levels of activity.

Credit: Geological Survey of Canada.

Stackplot (North America)

This plot shows several magnetometers that are located in North America, ranked according to their latitude. When a geomagnetic disturbance starts the most northern magnetometers will respond and as the disturbance strengthens the lower magnetometers will respond as well.

Data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Stackplot by the Tromsø Geophysical Observatory.

Hobart (Australia)

This magnetogram gives you the values measured by the ground station of Hobart (Australia, Tasmania). If you are not located in Australia or New Zealand, please consult a magnetometer near your location for a more accurate representation of the current geomagnetic activity. Additional southern hemisphere magnetometer and K-index plots can be found under the dropdown buttons.

Credit: Geoscience Australia, University of Newcastle Space Physics Group, Australian Government Antarctic Division and International Center for Space Weather Science and Education, Japan.

GOES

This plot shows the 1-minute averaged parallel component of the magnetic field in nanoTeslas, measured by the primary GOES satellite. A daily variation is observed in these data because at geosynchronous orbit, the magnetic field is stronger on the dayside of Earth and weaker on the nightside. If the data drops below zero when the satellite is on the dayside, it may be due to a compression of the Earth's magnetopause into the geosynchronous orbit boundaries. On the nightside, the smaller field values indicate strong currents in the magnetotail that are often associated with the stretching and subsequent release of energy in Earths tail which result in aurora on Earth.

More magnetometers

• Lycksele Magnetometer
• SAM Europe online Magnetometer
• AuroraWatch UK
• Leirvogur Magnetic Observatory, Iceland
• Boulder Magnetometer