SWP Space Weather Indices, Instruments & Observation Systems

Question 1

The Kp index is derived from:

Accepted Answer

K-indices from 13 sub-auroral magnetometer stations worldwide, averaged using a specific weighting scheme

Answer

A single polar magnetometer station

Answer

Solar wind data from the DSCOVR satellite

Answer

Riometer measurements of ionospheric absorption

Question 2

The GOES X-ray Sensor (XRS) monitors solar X-rays in which two channels used to classify flares?

Accepted Answer

0.1–0.8 nm (long) and 0.05–0.4 nm (short)

Answer

1–8 nm and 10–50 nm

Answer

0.1–10 nm and 10–100 nm

Answer

0.01–0.05 nm and 0.1–0.5 nm

Question 3

The Dst (Disturbance storm time) index measures:

Accepted Answer

The ring current intensity via depression of the horizontal geomagnetic field at low-latitude stations

Answer

Total energy of solar wind dynamic pressure

Answer

Auroral zone electrojet strength

Answer

Equatorial ionospheric plasma drift velocity

Question 4

The AE (Auroral Electrojet) index is primarily used to characterize:

Accepted Answer

Substorm-associated auroral zone electrojet activity using AU and AL envelopes

Answer

Ring current intensity during the main phase of geomagnetic storms

Answer

The peak solar wind speed during CME arrival

Answer

Total electron content changes in the polar cap

Question 5

The F10.7 cm solar flux index is used in space weather because it:

Accepted Answer

Is a reliable proxy for solar EUV output and solar activity, measurable from the ground regardless of weather

Answer

Directly measures CME probability

Answer

Indicates the strength of the interplanetary magnetic field

Answer

Tracks sunspot area in the southern solar hemisphere only

Question 6

SOHO's LASCO coronagraph is primarily used in space weather operations to:

Accepted Answer

Detect and characterize coronal mass ejections from solar disk imagery

Answer

Measure solar wind speed at L1

Answer

Observe solar flare X-ray emissions

Answer

Monitor the interplanetary magnetic field polarity