Ulysses magnetic field polarity
This figure, produced by Geza Erdös of the KFKI in Budapest, shows the magnetic field polarity measured by Ulysses as it travelled from 80°S to 80°N in 1994 and 1995.
The rapid transit of Ulysses from Southern to Northern solar latitudes over 12 months provided a "snapshot" of solar conditions. The plot shows the field polarity measured at Ulysses mapped onto a sphere at the relevant latitudes and longitudes. Two views of the sphere, looking at opposite hemispheres, are shown. Blue values represent regions where the magnetic field pointed towards the Sun; red where it pointed away. The dominant polarities of the two hemisphere are clear. Green lines represent the predicted boundaries between the hemispheres, based on "source surface" models wihch use solar observations.
Agreement is generally good, although some significant discrepancies exist. Work in ongoing on this topic.
This figure may be freely copied and reproduced, for example as a transparency, but not published. Please contact us at Imperial College if you wish to use this data in a publication.
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Last changed 9th May 1997 by Tim Horbury.