Correlations between solar activity and atmospheric electricity

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Abstract
The question is revived whether atmospheric electricity is in any way dependent upon solar activity. The present investigation is based chiefly upon the accumulated data for electrically‐quiet days pertaining to the atmospheric potential‐gradient and its diurnal and annual variations. It is found that during the past two sun‐spot cycles (1901–1923), the atmospheric potential‐gradient and the amplitudes of the diurnal variation and of the annual variation generally increased with increased sun‐spot frequency; the increase in the particular electric element considered is about 20 to 35 per cent, on the average, for a change of 100 in the sun‐spot number. The correlation coefficient, on the average, is about 0.75.If reliance can be placed on older series of atmospheric‐electric observations, made prior to 1901, then there are indications that during two periods, centering about 1855 and 1889, the reversed relationship applied, namely, that increased atmospheric potential‐gradient and increased amplitudes of diurnal and annual variation were associated with decreased sun‐spot frequency. The forthcoming sun‐spot cycle will afford opportunity to examine into this matter more thoroughly.An interesting correlation is exhibited by the atmospheric‐electric and magnetic data for 1893, which unite in showing a decrease in the electric and in the magnetic activity at the time of maximum sun‐spot frequency. There is thus an indication that the usual measures of solar activity are not always an adequate measure of such solar radiations and emanations as may affect the electricity of the atmosphere and the magnetic field of the Earth.The hope is expressed that the results of the present investigation will contribute towards the multiplication of widely distributed atmospheric‐electric stations where all possible care will be taken to ensure continuity of strictly comparable data for a sun‐spot cycle, and longer.

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