K Indices of Magnetic Activity Relative to an assumed Quiet-day for each 3-Hour Period

The NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (formerly National Geophysical Data Center) receives the K indices on a current basis from approximately 85 observatories. The K index is a quasi-logarithmic local index of the 3-hourly range in magnetic activity relative to an assumed quiet-day curve for the recording site. First introduced by J. Bartels in 1938, it consists of a single digit 0 through 9 for each 3-hourly interval. The K indices are received on a monthly basis from the various observatories and are
available from 1938 to present. The NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (formerly National Geophysical Data Center) also receives KP indices from the Institute for Geophysik in Gottingen, Germany on a monthly basis. The KP index is a planetary index based on the K index from 12 or 13 selected stations and has been derived routinely from 1932.
Cite this dataset when used as a source.
  • ID not available.
gov.noaa.ngdc.stp.indices:G00590
Download Data
  • K Indices (download)
    FTP site of K Indices for download
Other Access
Distribution Formats
  • ASCII
Ordering Instructions Ordering Instructions: Data is available via our FTP site Custom Order Process: Contact data center for information
Distributor Justin Mabie
Space and Terrestrial Weather Specialist
DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
(303) 497-6135
Justin.Mabie@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact Justin Mabie
Space and Terrestrial Weather Specialist
DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
(303) 497-6135
Justin.Mabie@noaa.gov
Time Period 1938-01-01 to Present
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West:-180.000000
East:180.000000
South:-90.000000
North:90.000000
Spatial Coverage Map
Documentation links not available.
Publication Dates
  • publication: 1957-01-01
Edition First
Dataset Progress Status Under development - data is currently in the process of being created
Data Update Frequency Irregular
Purpose Magnetic Activity Research
Use Limitations
  • While every effort has been made to ensure that these data are accurate and reliable within the limits of the current state of the art, NOAA cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in the data, nor as a result of the failure of the data to function on a particular system. NOAA makes no warranty, expressed or implied, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty.
Originators
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NGDC > National Geophysical Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Publishers
  • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NGDC > National Geophysical Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Theme keywords NASA/GCMD Earth Science Keywords
  • EARTH SCIENCE > SOLID EARTH > Geomagnetism > Geomagnetic Indices
Uncontrolled Keywords
  • Earth Science > Interior & Crust
  • Geomagnetism
  • Earth Science > Land
Data Center keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NGDC > National Geophysical Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Place keywords NASA/GCMD Location Keywords
  • Global
Project keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Project Keywords
  • ICSU-WDS > International Council for Science - World Data System
Use Constraints
  • Use Constraints: None
Access Constraints
  • Access Constraints: No Constraints
Fees
  • No cost for download
Lineage information for:repository
Processing Steps
  • 2015-04-22T00:00:00 -NOAA created the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) by merging NOAA's National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC), and National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC), including the National Coastal Data Development Center (NCDDC), per the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, Public Law 113-235. NCEI launched publicly on April 22, 2015.
Acquisition Information (collection)
Instrument
  • Magnetometers
Platform
  • Ground-based Magnetic Observatories
Operation
  • CGC > Climate & Global Change
Last Modified: 2015-09-18
For questions about the information on this page, please email:Justin.Mabie@noaa.gov