The spatio-temporal variations in the main geomagnetic field are analysed using Maxwell's source representation of the potential function defined by Maxwell's theory of poles. Maxwell sources up to order 4 are obtained for three main geomagnetic field models. The temporal variations in the main geomagnetic field are shown in terms of the variations in the parameters defined in Maxwell's source representation, for example, the Maxwell moments, the Maxwell axes, the intrinsic energy of the Maxwell source, etc. The characteristics of these variations are discussed. Applications of Maxwell's source representation of the potential function to the studies of the earth's magnetic field are suggested.

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Volume169, Issue1

April 2007

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Representation of the main geomagnetic field using Maxwell's theory of poles

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Representation of the main geomagnetic field using Maxwell's theory of poles

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SUMMARY

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