Statistical Characteristics of Geomagnetic Storms in the 24th Cycle of Solar Activity

Abstract

Currently, the problem of geospace storms and their components, geomagnetic storms, is one of the most important problems in solar-terrestrial physics and space geophysics. The exploration of the geospace and its use for the needs of civilization has led to the fact that our life is increasingly dependent on the manifestations of solar-terrestrial processes, the state of atmospheric-space weather, and ground-to-space systems of various purposes. The more technologically advanced our civilization becomes, the more vulnerable it is to the processes taking place on the Sun, manifestations of solar-terrestrial relationships, and variations in atmospheric-space weather. These circumstances determine the relevance and continuous scientific and practical significance of studies into the manifestations of solar-terrestrial processes and their consequences. Geospace (geomagnetic) storms can be accompanied by a number of effects: variations in the parameters of the atmosphere and geospace; deceleration of spacecraft; impact of increased cosmic radiation on crew and electronic equipment in spacecraft and aircraft; disturbances of conditions of radio wave propagation and channels of radio communication, radio navigation, radio ranging, radio position finding, radio astronomy, and remote sensing; the induction of currents in power transmission lines, cable lines, pipelines, automated railway systems; and the impact on weather- and climate-forming systems. In addition to the physical effects of individual geomagnetic storms, which are described in a large number of scientific papers, a statistical analysis of the parameters of the solar wind, interplanetary magnetic field, and geomagnetic storms over long periods is of interest. The purpose of this study is to statistically analyze the parameters of the solar wind disturbed by solar storms, the interplanetary magnetic field, and the geomagnetic activity indices over the period of solar cycle 24 (2009–2020). The main statistical characteristics of the disturbed solar wind parameters responsible for the geomagnetic storm origins (153 storms in total) over solar cycle 24 have been estimated. The main statistical characteristics of the components of the disturbed interplanetary magnetic field have been estimated, and the main statistical characteristics of the geomagnetic field indices have been obtained. With respect to magnetic activity, solar cycle 24 was quieter than solar cycle 23.