MMS SCM: AC Magnetic Field Waveforms at 16384 Samples per Second

NASA's Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission provides tri-axial search-coil magnetometer data. The dataset contains high-speed burst mode AC magnetic field waveforms, calibrated at the National Magnetic Observatory and processed via onboard digital signal processors. Data is provided in nanoTesla within the GSE coordinate frame.

Use Cases

• Analyze magnetic wave spectra and turbulence based on high-frequency (16384 Hz) AC magnetic field measurements.
• Study magnetospheric dynamics and wave-particle interactions based on tri-axial magnetic field fluctuation data.
• Validate and calibrate space physics models based on calibrated waveforms from the onboard calibration signal.
• Identify and characterize scientific regions of interest (ROI) based on burst mode and high-speed burst mode data acquisition.

Strengths

• Data is calibrated using pre-launch calibrations at the National Magnetic Observatory and periodic onboard calibration checks.
• Provides high-temporal-resolution waveforms at 16384 samples per second in burst mode.
• Includes tri-axial (three-dimensional) magnetic field fluctuation measurements.

Limitations

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

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Collection Method

Measured by the tri-axial Search-Coil Magnetometer (SCM) on the MMS spacecraft, digitized and processed by onboard Digital Signal Processors (DSP).

Time Range

Data is acquired per MMS orbit, with specific burst modes within scientific regions of interest.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 06:11:03.597873; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Data is collected in Earth's magnetosphere and surrounding space.