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Aa Indices.

The aa index is a simple global geomagnetic activity index, with units of 1 nT (nanotesla), which is produced from the K indices from two approximately antipodal observatories. At present these are Hartland observatory in the UK and Canberra observatory in Australia. The main advantage in using aa indices for research purposes is that the time series spans further back (to 1868) than any of the other planetary indices time series.Also, up to date values are produced and made available weekly, giving nearer to real time availability than any other planetary index. In between the weekly updates, BGS calculates estimated aa indices, providing real time "nowcasts" which are updated on an hourly basis. These estimates are clearly marked with the letters "Est". Although calculated by the same method, the aa indices available on this service are not the definitive values. These are published by the International Service for Geomagnetic Indices, CRPE/CNET - CNRS, 4 Avenue de Neptune, F-94107 Saint Maur, Cedex, France.

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Identification info

Metadata Language
English (en)
Dataset Reference Date ()
1868
Identifier
http://data.bgs.ac.uk/id/dataHolding/13480365
  British Geological Survey - Enquiries
The Lyell Centre, Research Avenue South , EDINBURGH , LOTHIAN , EH14 4AP , United Kingdom
0115 936 3142
0115 936 3276
  British Geological Survey - Enquiries
The Lyell Centre, Research Avenue South , EDINBURGH , LOTHIAN , EH14 4AP , United Kingdom
0115 936 3142
0115 936 3276
  British Geological Survey - Enquiries
The Lyell Centre, Research Avenue South , EDINBURGH , LOTHIAN , EH14 4AP , United Kingdom
0115 936 3142
0115 936 3276
Maintenance and update frequency
weekly
GEMET - INSPIRE themes
  • Geology
BGS Thesaurus of Geosciences
  • Geomagnetism
Keywords
  • NERC_DDC
Limitations on Public Access
otherRestrictions
Other constraints
In its role as World Data Centre for Geomagnetism (Edinburgh) we make available the data for scientific research. If the data are used in publications and presentations, the data suppliers and this WDC should be acknowledged. For commercial applications of these data, please contact the relevant institute directly.
Use constraints
otherRestrictions
Other constraints
The copyright of materials derived from the British Geological Survey's work is vested in the Natural Environment Research Council [NERC]. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a retrieval system of any nature, without the prior permission of the copyright holder, via the BGS Intellectual Property Rights Manager. Use by customers of information provided by the BGS, is at the customer's own risk. In view of the disparate sources of information at BGS's disposal, including such material donated to BGS, that BGS accepts in good faith as being accurate, the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) gives no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the quality or accuracy of the information supplied, or to the information's suitability for any use. NERC/BGS accepts no liability whatever in respect of loss, damage, injury or other occurence however caused.
Other constraints
Either: (i) the dataset is made freely available, e.g. via the Internet, for a restricted category of use (e.g. educational use only); or (ii) the dataset has not been formally approved by BGS for access and use by external clients under licence, but its use may be permitted under alternative formal arrangements; or (iii) the dataset contains 3rd party data or information obtained by BGS under terms and conditions that must be consulted in order to determine the permitted usage of the dataset. Refer to the BGS staff member responsible for the creation of the dataset if further advice is required. He / she should be familiar with the composition of the dataset, particularly with regard to 3rd party IPR contained in it, and any resultant use restrictions. This staff member should revert to the IPR Section (ipr@bgs.ac.uk ) for advice, should the position not be clear.
Topic category
  • Geoscientific information
Extent
WORLD [id=100000]

Dataset Reference Date ()
1979

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Begin date
1868
Additional information
Complete time Series. Global: Derived from 2 Antipodal Locations.
 

Spatial Reference System

No information provided.

Distribution Information

Data format
  • DELIMITED ASCII - ASCII Year Files or user defined. ()

Resource Locator
http://www.geomag.bgs.ac.uk/data_service/data/magnetic_indices/aaindex.html
Resource Locator
http://www.geomag.bgs.ac.uk/data_service/data/magnetic_indices/aaindex.html
 
Quality Scope
dataset
Other
dataset

Report

Dataset Reference Date ()
2011
Explanation
See the referenced specification
Degree

Report

Dataset Reference Date ()
2010-12-08
Explanation
See http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2010:323:0011:0102:EN:PDF
Degree
Statement
The aa indices are derived using data from two nearly antipodal observatories, where magnetograms were available since 1868. For each three hour interval, K indices are measured at the two stations and converted back into amplitude; an individual aa index is the average of the northern and southern values, weighted to account for the small difference in latitude of the two stations, or for the slight changes in the very place of the observatory. The definitive values are published by the International Service for Geomagnetic Indices.

Metadata

File identifier
9df8df51-63b9-37a8-e044-0003ba9b0d98 XML
Metadata Language
English (en)
Resource type
dataset
Metadata Date
2023-03-27
Metadata standard name
UK GEMINI
Metadata standard version
2.3
  British Geological Survey
The Lyell Centre, Research Avenue South , EDINBURGH , LOTHIAN , EH14 4AP , United Kingdom
+44 131 667 1000
 
 

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