Cosmic-ray disturbance indices

Until recently, no quantitative estimates of the cosmic-ray (CR) disturbanc es existed, as was the case, for example, for geomagnetic activity. In this work an attempt is undertaken to introduce special indices for the CR acti vity level, which can characterize some features of the space weather. Thes e indices are calculated for every hour and every day over the period of 19 90-1995 using the data on the density and anisotropy of cosmic rays obtaine d by the worldwide neutron monitor network. As examples, we consider the be havior of such indices in some events occurring during this period. The pos sibility of obtaining indices in real time from the data obtained at a sing le station is realized on the Internet (http://helios. izmiran.troitsk.ru).