The disturbance storm time (Dst, Kyoto Dst) index is a measure in the context of space weather. It gives information about the strength of the ring current around Earth caused by solar protons and electrons.[1]
The ring current around Earth produces a magnetic field that is directly opposite Earth's magnetic field; that is, if the difference between solar electrons and protons gets higher, then Earth's magnetic field becomes weaker.
A negative Dst value means that Earth's magnetic field is weakened. This is particularly the case during solar storms.
See also
References
External links
- The Dst index homepage provided by Kyoto University
- Dst at NOAA/NGDC
- Dst as part of SWENET Latest Alerts Archived 2012-02-09 at the Wayback Machine (on ESA's Space Weather Portal)