Item

Abstract

The polar cap (PC) indices are potentially very useful for monitoring solar wind-magnetosphere interactions and developments of global magnetic disturbances. However, the generation of PC indices have throughout years been haunted by methodical problems. These problems have generated invalid PC indices, which have been used in numerous (more than 48) peer-reviewed publications. Thus, the index version generated at the Danish Meteorological Institute (DMI) in 1991 and also applied at the Danish Space Research Institute (DTU-Space) have twice experienced typo-errors in the computer code and use, furthermore, confusing units in the regression calculations. The PC index version developed at the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute (AARI) in 2006 and used until 2011 have applied IMF components in their GSE instead the correct GSM representation in the calculations of calibration parameters. The PCS indices supplied from AARI during 2013-21 were based on faulty baseline derivation, which have generated excessive unfounded daily variations. The methods presently applied at DTU-Space use reverse convection samples to define forward convection scaling parameters. The reference levels assumed quiet, acrually represent disturbed conditions. Rather than compensate for undesired daily variations, the reference level method generate unjustified diurnal excursions. The projection angle parameter is based on erroneous calculations. The planned contribution shall explain the methodical problems and demonstrate the documented consequences of the invalid indices. The question to be asked: Where is IAGA? References: Stauning (JGR 2013). The Polar Cap index: doi:10.1002/jgra.50462 Stauning (JGR 2021). Invalid Polar Cap (PC) indices: doi:10.1029/2020JA028292 Stauning (JGR 2022). Invalid Polar Cap South (PCS) indices: doi:10.1029/2022JA030355