Influence of solar wind parameters on ground magnetic field near equator during intense storms

Abstract

Using a simple time-lagged correlation technique, present study aims to identify the solar wind (SW) parameter, which is better associated with the ground magnetic field variations of shorter time duration near equator, during intense geomagnetic storms. It is found that out of all SW parameters, successively occurring enhancements in the SW dynamic pressure have substantial influence on the horizontal component of magnetic field at ground. Present analysis reveals a time lag of ~30–45 min between the SW pressure changes seen at L1 location and ground magnetic field variations, and hence providing a good approximation of an averaged propagation time during entire storm interval; the time lag varies with solar wind velocity. Separate study during day and nighttime suggests that the SW dynamic pressure enhancements recorded by the dayside outer magnetospheric satellite have impact on the ground horizontal magnetic field measurements near equator, irrespective of day or nighttime.