A method of evaluating quantitative magnetospheric field models by an angular parameter alphaThe paper introduces an angular parameter, termed alpha, which represents the angular difference between the observed, or model, field and the internal model field. The study discusses why this parameter is chosen and demonstrates its usefulness by applying it to both observations and models. In certain areas alpha is more sensitive than delta-B (the difference between the magnitude of the observed magnetic field and that of the earth's internal field calculated from a spherical harmonic expansion) in expressing magnetospheric field distortions. It is recommended to use both alpha and delta-B in comparing models with observations.
Document ID
19800031759
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Other - Collected Works
Authors
Sugiura, M. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Laboratory for Planetary Atmospheres, Greenbelt, Md., United States)
Poros, D. J. (Computer Sciences Corp. Silver Spring, Md., United States)