Interplanetary Magnetic Field Data Book - Joseph H. King - April 1975

Sep 10, 2026

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Interplanetary Magnetic Field Data Book presents an IMF data set designed for uniform inclusion of cislunar IMF measurements with the most complete time coverage possible across a full solar cycle. The report compiles listings and plots of cislunar hourly averaged IMF parameters from November 27, 1963 to May 17, 1974, with emphasis on mutual consistency of the underlying data and discussion of the magnetic tape used to generate the products. Data originate from fluxgate magnetometers on eight IMP/AIMP and HEOS spacecraft.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages382

Reading Time16 h 3 min

AccessFree to download

Foreword

Introduction

The Experiments

Data Processing

Mutual Consistency of the Data

Data Presentation

Bibliography

Data Listings

Data Plots

NAT DONAL.SPACE SC日ENCCE①ATACENTER 刻A ONAlA·RCALPTKSA SFPAJI:相BSATS(201》A腿)SPACBF1.风280T《程了爬,住.NI850.5,BD。 AAPIApril 19T5(NASA-TM一苯-72544).:INTERPLANETARY MAGNETICFIELD DATA.BOOK(NASA):382 pHC $10.25CSCL 03B N75-21189 Unclas G3/90=18978 Interplanetary Magnetic Field Data Book Joseph H.King National Space Science Data Center April 1975 FOREWORD The efforts of many people were required to design and constructthe magnetometer experiments and to process the resultant data withoutwhich this Interplanetary Magnetic Field Data Book could not have beengenerated.These include,at Goddard Space Flight Center,Dr.N.F.Nessand his colleagues during the years 1961-1975,including at differenttimes Drs.D.H.Fairfield,R.P.Lepping,K.H.Schatten (now atVictoria University,New Zealand),and Y.C.Whang(permanently atCatholic University),and Messers.K.W.Behannon,D.R.Howell, J.L.Scheifele,J.B.Seek,and R.F.Thompson. These also include,at Imperial College,London,Dr.P.C.Hedgecock and his colleagues,Prof.H.E1liot,Dr.J.J.Quenby,and Mrs.A.Evans. Dr.E.A.Scarzafava at the National Space Science Data Center(NSSDC)did the programming involved in the transition from experimenter-supplied tapes to the newly available composite tape and to the followinglistings and plots. Dr.R.H.Hilberg was instrumental in the regenerationof IMP 1 and IMP 3 hourly averages.Ms.L.Glicenstein and Mr.F.Richterprovided editorial and graphic assistance,respectively. To al1 these individuals we extend our thanks. CONTENTS Page FOREWORD………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………iii INTRODUCTION ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………1 THE EXPERIMENTS ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………1 DATA PROCESSING …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………4 MUTUAL CONSISTENCY OF THE DATA ………………………………………………………………………8 DATA PRESENTATION ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………12 BIBLIOGRAPHY………………………………………………………………………………………………………………15 DATA LISTINGS ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………17 DATA PLOTS ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………259 TNTRODUCTION Accurate measurements of the weak interplanetary magnetic field(IMF)beyond the terrestrial bow shock are among the more difficultstudies in space physics to perform.Since the May 1965 launch ofIMP 3 and for virtually a full solar cycle,IMF measurements havebeen made on a nearly continuous basis.A detailed history of inter-planetary and non-interplanetary magnetic field measurements.madethrough 1969 is found in Ness(1970). The purpose of this report is to present an IMF data set that isuniform with respect to inclusion of cislunar IMF data only and yetwhich has as complete time coverage as presently possible over a ful1solar cycle.The report has been prepared for the convenience ofinvestigators of macroscale phenomena in the interplanetary medium(sector structure,heliolatitude variations,solar cycle variations,etc.)and of other phenomena(e.g.,ground level cosmic-ray events)for which knowledge of the IMF with hourly resolution is necessary.The report consists of listings and plots of cislunar hourly averagedIMF parameters over the period November 27,1963,to May 17,1974,anda discussion of the mutual consistency of the IMF data used herein.The magnetic tape from which the plots and listings were generated,which is available from the National Space Science Data Center(NSSDC),is also discussed. # THE EXPERIMENTS The IMF data utilized in this report were produced by the fluxgatemagnetometers flown on eight IMP and AIMP spacecraft by N.F.Ness andcolleagues at Goddard Space Flight Center〔GSFC〕and by the HEOS 1 andHEOS 2 fluxgate magnetometers of P.C.Hedgecock and colleagues ofImperial College,London. Figure 1 indicates the individual spacecraftwhose data were used(see Table 1 for spacecraft identifiers),the timeperiod covered by each within the present data compilation,and thepercent coverage per 27-day solar rotation interval yielded by thecombined IMP/AIMP/

FAQs

What time range does the IMF data set cover?

The report provides listings and plots of cislunar hourly averaged IMF parameters covering November 27, 1963 to May 17, 1974.

Which instruments and spacecraft produced the IMF data?

Fluxgate magnetometers on eight IMP/AIMP spacecraft and HEOS 1 and HEOS 2 fluxgate magnetometers produced the data compiled in this report.

Why is mutual consistency of the data discussed?

The report includes an analysis of mutual consistency to ensure the IMF data used herein are compatible across the compiled sources and processing steps.

Sep 10, 2026

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