FAQ

After I enter my name, I searched for 'go' key, but I could not find. How can I start downloading?

The software for downloading the AE and Dst data does not have a radio button 'go' or 'submit'. Both pages request key-in something and then hitting a return key. The return key will send your request to us, and data will be sent back to you.

In AE and Dst download, there are two types of data format, 'text' and 'ZIP'. What is the difference?

ZIP is a compression method. You can get free software zip.exe for Unix, Linux, MSDOS, MS Windows from usual ftp servers such as ftp://ftp.media.kyoto-u.ac.jp

When I download the AE, Dst data in text format, the data numbers are shown on my screen. But I wish the data in my file. How can I save the screen?

Many browsers has 'save file' menu. For example, MS Internet Explorer and Netscape have 'file' menu, and 'save as' selection. Select this menu and select the disk and directory you wish to save to and enter a file name you want to have the data.

Sometimes, we see strange data (spikes and step like level changes) in the QL-Dst. Are these true? What is the reason of this strange variation?

QL-Dst is derived from very noisy data, which is caused by local noise near the observatory. AND also during the data transmission from the station to us. Spikes are usually caused by such noise. A magnetometer sometimes has malfunction. Usually observatory data is backed up by another magnetometer. However, QL-Dst is made from one magnetometer, step like level changes are usually caused by change of a magnetometer.

If QL-Dst is too noisy, when can I get a better one?

We derive QL-Dst within one day, Provisional Dst within one month, and final Dst within a year. QL-Dst is for quick look use and urgent monitor of the geomagnetic activity. QL-Dst is not quality controlled. Provisional Dst is derived after a cleaning of data and some quality control. Final Dst is derived with very careful check. So any analysis must not use QL-Dst. Only forecasters has merits to use the WL-Dst. Scientific analyses are suggested to use the final Dst values. If it is urgent, you may use QL values, but recalculate it after one month with the Provisional Dst index.