Reply to Comment by Stauning on "The PC Index Variations During 23/24 Solar Cycles: Relation to Solar Wind Parameters and Magnetic Disturbances"

Abstract

The polar cap magnetic activity index (PC) was approved by IAGA as an index characterizing the solar wind energy input into the magnetosphere. Relation of the PC index to solar wind parameters and solar activity during 23/24 solar cycles has been studied in paper (Troshichev et al., 2021, https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JA028491). The paper was commented by Dr. Stauning, who states that results obtained in the study are based on erroneous data presented on web site http://pcindex.org. According to Dr. Stauning, the following invalidities served as a reason for this assertion: incorrect determination of quiet daily curve (QDC), taken as reference level for counting the PC index value, and incorrect QDC amplitudes, incorrect yearly average values of PC index (and E_KL field), incorrect methods of the analysis. In our answer we argue the correctness of our analysis and resulted conclusions.