Interplanetary magnetic field changes and the magnetotail

Burch (1974) has described several observed associations between changes in the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) and variations within the magnetic tail. More recently, several statistical studies have quantified the relationship between the lobe field and the IMF. The present paper deals with some features of the effect of the IMF on the magnetic structure of the tail and its plasma populations. These new correlations demonstrate that the plasma mantle, lobes, and plasma sheet are all controlled to some extent by the IMF.