The components of the annual line in geomagnetic field elements

Abstract

The annual cycle of the strength of the geomagnetic horizontal field shows a local time dependence. Recent explanations for this invoke a ring current or magnetospheric source for the night-time, and an ionospheric source for the daytime annual waves, but the relative importance of each source has been uncertain. Harmonic dials of the annual waves in H from harmonic analysis at several local times and observatories are presented. Comparison with corresponding analyses of observed ionospheric winds supports the two source model. It is shown that both the magnetospheric and ionospheric components in H are 180° out of phase across the equator. But because of differing amplitudes of the two components across the equator, the net annual waves are about 160° out of phase across the equator.