MMS SCM: AC Magnetic Field Waveforms from NASA's Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission

NASA's Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission Search Coil Magnetometer (SCM) data provides tri-axial AC magnetic field waveforms at 32 samples per second. The data is calibrated at the National Magnetic Observatory and includes onboard calibration checks, with waveforms provided in nanoTesla within the GSE coordinate frame. The dataset is stored in BIN format and was last updated in March 2026.

Use Cases

• Analyzing magnetic field fluctuations in the magnetosphere based on tri-axial AC waveform data.
• Studying wave-particle interactions based on high-frequency (32 Hz) magnetic field measurements.
• Validating space weather models based on calibrated, in-situ magnetic field observations.
• Correlating magnetic wave activity with other mission instrument data based on the GSE coordinate frame.

Strengths

• Data is calibrated at the National Magnetic Observatory and includes regular onboard calibration checks.
• Provides three-dimensional magnetic field fluctuations at a 32 samples per second rate.
• Produced by NASA, an authoritative source for space science data.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data is in a specialized BIN format, requiring specific tools for access and analysis.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Collection Method

Collected by the tri-axial Search-Coil Magnetometer on the MMS spacecraft, digitized and processed by the onboard Digital Signal Processor.

Time Range

Covers the operational period of the MMS mission in survey mode.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 06:28:24.992311; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Data collected in Earth's magnetosphere and surrounding space.