E-ISSN 3115-5057 | ISSN 3115-5049
 
2025, Vol: 2, Issue: 2
2 / 2Current Issue Online FirstArchiveAims and ScopeAbstracting & Indexing

Original Research
Online Published: 27 May 2025
 


The Role of Negative IMF Bz during Super-Storms in the Solar Cycle 23

Francis Ugbede Salifu, Godfrey Ikeozahu Ojerheghan, Olushola Abel Oladipo, Seyi Emm Olukanni, Julius Ogbaje Idakwoji.


Abstract
This study examines the role of the southward interplanetary magnetic field component (Bz < –10 nT) as a driver of geomagnetic super-storms during Solar Cycle 23 (1996–2008). Super-storms were defined by a Disturbance Storm Time (Dst) index of less than –250 nT. Using hourly Dst data from the World Data Center for Geomagnetism, Kyoto, and corresponding Bz values from OMNIWeb, 63 super-storm events were identified. Pearson correlation analysis was used to assess the relationship between Bz and Dst. Across the full dataset of 113,978 observations, the correlation coefficient was r = 0.0053 (p = 0.0700), indicating no significant linear relationship. Similarly, the case was the same for the 63 super-storm events, r = 0.0150 (p = 0.9071). These results suggest that Bz does not show a strong linear correlation with Dst values, even during severe geomagnetic disturbances. However, 59% (37 out of 63) of super-storms occurred when Bz < –10 nT, highlighting a strong association between southward Bz and storm intensity. This suggests Bz is a more consistent indicator of super-storm occurrence than sunspot number, which showed no reliable correlation. The study shows the importance of monitoring Bz for space weather forecasting and recommends future research across other solar cycles, including other solar wind parameters, to improve predictive models.

Key words: super-storms, Dst index, Bz, SC 23


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Salifu FU, Ojerheghan GI, Oladipo OA, Olukanni SE, Idakwoji JO. The Role of Negative IMF Bz during Super-Storms in the Solar Cycle 23. CUJOSTECH. 2025; 2(1): 47-53. doi:10.5455/CUJOSTECH.250403

Web Style

Salifu FU, Ojerheghan GI, Oladipo OA, Olukanni SE, Idakwoji JO. The Role of Negative IMF Bz during Super-Storms in the Solar Cycle 23. https://www.cujostech.com.ng/?mno=228003 [Access: June 22, 2026]. doi:10.5455/CUJOSTECH.250403

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Salifu FU, Ojerheghan GI, Oladipo OA, Olukanni SE, Idakwoji JO. The Role of Negative IMF Bz during Super-Storms in the Solar Cycle 23. CUJOSTECH. 2025; 2(1): 47-53. doi:10.5455/CUJOSTECH.250403


Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Salifu FU, Ojerheghan GI, Oladipo OA, Olukanni SE, Idakwoji JO. The Role of Negative IMF Bz during Super-Storms in the Solar Cycle 23. CUJOSTECH. (2025), [cited June 22, 2026]; 2(1): 47-53. doi:10.5455/CUJOSTECH.250403


Harvard Style

Salifu, F. U., Ojerheghan, . G. I., Oladipo, . O. A., Olukanni, . S. E. & Idakwoji, . J. O. (2025) The Role of Negative IMF Bz during Super-Storms in the Solar Cycle 23. CUJOSTECH, 2 (1), 47-53. doi:10.5455/CUJOSTECH.250403


Turabian Style

Salifu, Francis Ugbede, Godfrey Ikeozahu Ojerheghan, Olushola Abel Oladipo, Seyi Emm Olukanni, and Julius Ogbaje Idakwoji. 2025. The Role of Negative IMF Bz during Super-Storms in the Solar Cycle 23. Confluence University Journal of Science and Technology, 2 (1), 47-53. doi:10.5455/CUJOSTECH.250403


Chicago Style

Salifu, Francis Ugbede, Godfrey Ikeozahu Ojerheghan, Olushola Abel Oladipo, Seyi Emm Olukanni, and Julius Ogbaje Idakwoji. "The Role of Negative IMF Bz during Super-Storms in the Solar Cycle 23." Confluence University Journal of Science and Technology 2 (2025), 47-53. doi:10.5455/CUJOSTECH.250403


MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Salifu, Francis Ugbede, Godfrey Ikeozahu Ojerheghan, Olushola Abel Oladipo, Seyi Emm Olukanni, and Julius Ogbaje Idakwoji. "The Role of Negative IMF Bz during Super-Storms in the Solar Cycle 23." Confluence University Journal of Science and Technology 2.1 (2025), 47-53. Print. doi:10.5455/CUJOSTECH.250403


APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Salifu, F. U., Ojerheghan, . G. I., Oladipo, . O. A., Olukanni, . S. E. & Idakwoji, . J. O. (2025) The Role of Negative IMF Bz during Super-Storms in the Solar Cycle 23. Confluence University Journal of Science and Technology, 2 (1), 47-53. doi:10.5455/CUJOSTECH.250403


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