The relation between the polarity of the interplanetary magnetic field and the polar geomagnetic field

The relation between the azimuthal component of the interplanetary magnetic field and the polar cap geomagnetic field is discussed. The geomagnetic effects can be described as produced by an ionospheric current system encircling the magnetic pole. The sense of the current is clockwise during toward-sectors and reversed during away-sectors. The importance of this very direct solar-terrestrial relation is stressed. A recent magnetic sunspot cycle model is discussed as inferred from this relationship, the basic feature being that the sun reproduces the same sector pattern during every sunspot cycle.