Seasonal variations of the interplanetary magnetic field Y component

Abstract

The Y component of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) undergoes a polarity change as an observer undergoes a sector boundary crossing. Interplanetary magnetic field data Y component data from the years 1964 to 1990 is examined to determine the average position of the earth relative to the heliospheric current sheet, and thus find any seasonal variations in its position. The polarity reversal of the By IMF is put in context of the sunspot cycle.