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We conducted a statistical study of polar mesospheric summer echoes (PMSEs) in relation to magnetic local time (MLT), considering the geomagnetic conditions using the K-index (or K). Additionally, we performed a case study to examine the velocity profile, specifically for high velocities (≥ ~100 m/s) varying with high temporal resolution at high K-index values. This study utilized the PMSE data obtained from the mesosphere–stratosphere–troposphere radar located in Esrange, Sweden (63.7°N, 21°E). The change in K-index in terms of MLT was high (K ≥ 4) from 23 to 04 MLT, estimated for the time PMSE was present. During the near-midnight period (0–4 MLT), both PMSE occurrence and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) displayed an asymmetric structure with upper curves for K ≥ 3 and lower curves for K < 3. Furthermore, the occurrence of high velocities peaked at 3–4 MLT for K ≥ 3. From case studies focusing on the 0–3 MLT period, we observed persistent eastward-biased high velocities (≥ 200 m/s) prevailing for ~18 min. These high velocities were accompanied with the systematic motion of profiles at 85–88 km, including large shear formation. Importantly, the rapid variations observed in velocity could not be attributed to neutral wind effects. The present findings suggest a strong substorm influence on PMSE, especially in the midnight and early dawn sectors. The large zonal drift observed in PMSE were potentially energized by local electromagnetic fields or the global convection field induced by the electron precipitation during substorms.

BOH magnetometer was installed at Mt. Bohyun in 2007 and has provided continuous dataset for 3-axis geomagnetic field over the South Korea. We have calculated real-time K-index based on BOH magnetic field data using well-known FMI method. Local K-index is calculated eight times a day, per every three hours. To calculate K-index, it is critical to get the Quiet Day Curve (QDC). For QDC calculation, we take the previous one month’s average of H-component. In this paper, we compared four geomagnetic stations’ magnetic field data over South Korea and Japan and K-indices of each stations; Bohyun, Gangneung, Jeju, and Kakioka for two years data, 2011-2012. To investigate the difference depending on the latitude, longitude and local time in more detail, we compare K-index on International Quiet Days (IQDs) and International Disturbed Days (IDDs). As a result, we report the correlation between local K-indices are higher than those between Kp and local K-indices, and the correlation is much better after sunset than after sunrise. As the geomagnetic activity becomes stronger, the correlation between the local K-indices and global Kp-index become higher.

Local K-index is an indicator representing local geomagnetic activity in every 3 hour. For estimation of the local K-index, a reasonable determination of solar quiet curve (undisturbed daily variation of geomagnetic field) is quiet essential. To derive the solar quiet curve, the FMI method, which is one of representative algorithms, uses horizontal components (H and D) of 3 days magnetometer data from the previous day to the next day for a specific day. However, this method is not applicable to real time forecast since it always requires the next day data. In this study, we have devised a new method to estimate local K-index in near real-time by modifying the FMI method. The new method selects a recent quiet day whose Kp indices, reported by NOAA/SEC are all lower than 3, and replace the previous day and the next day data by the recent quiet day data. We estimated 2,672 local K indices from Gyeongzu magnetometer in 2003, and then compared the indices with those from the conventional FMI method. We also compared the K indices with those from Kakioka observatory. As a result, we found that (1) K indices from the new method are nearly consistent with those of the conventional FMI method with a very high correlation (R = 0.96); (2) our local K indices also have a relatively high correlation (R = 0.81) with those from Kakioka station. Our results show that the new method can be used for near real-time estimation of local K indices from Gyeongzu magnetometer.