The mean solar magnetic field as an indicator of the interplanetary magnetic field

Abstract

The Mean Solar Magnetic Field (MSMF) measured daily by ground based observations at the Standford Observatory shows similar structures like the Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) near the Earth about 5 to 7 days later. The ionospheric effect in the mid-latitude F2-region due to such MSMF changes is most marked for strong MSMF changes from anti to pro sectors. The mean ionospheric response is very similar to the results obtained earlier with IMF sector structure data derived from Svalgaard (1976) and Wilcox (1982, private communication). Therefore, the MSMF data can successfully be used to predict the mean IMF sector structure and the mean ionospheric response 5 to 7 days in advance.

Keywords

• mean solar magnetic field
• IMF
• ionosphere