First Results From the SCM Search‐Coil Magnetometer on Parker Solar Probe

Parker Solar Probe is the first mission to probe in situ the innermost heliosphere, revealing an exceptionally dynamic and structured outer solar corona. Its payload includes a search‐coil magnetometer (SCM) that measures up to three components of the fluctuating magnetic field between 3 Hz and 1 MHz. After more than 3 years of operation, the SCM has revealed a multitude of different wave phenomena in the solar wind. Here we present an overview of some of the discoveries made so far. These include oblique and sunward propagating whistler waves that are important for their interaction with energetic electrons, the first observation of the magnetic signature associated with escaping electrons during dust impacts, the first observation of the magnetic field component for slow extraordinary wave modes during type III radio burst events, and more. This study focuses on the major observations to date, including a description of the instrument and lessons learned. The search‐coil magnetometer (SCM) search‐coil magnetometer on Parker Solar Probe is an instrument that measures fluctuations of the magnetic field in the solar wind. The instrument covers frequencies ranging from 3 Hz to 1 MHz. After 3 years of operation the SCM has revealed a wealth of different wave phenomena. Here, we describe some of the highlights. These include whistler waves that propagate oblique to the magnetic field, the first observation of the magnetic signature associated with the impact of dust particles, and the first observation of the magnetic signature of high‐frequency coherent waves that are associated with solar radio bursts. We present an overview of 3 years of results from the search‐coil magnetometer (SCM) on Parker Solar ProbeThe SCM reveals the magnetic signature of dust impacts and of slow extraordinary waves associated with type III radio burstsThe SCM reveals in detail oblique whistlers and the radial evolution of turbulence at kinetic scales We present an overview of 3 years of results from the search‐coil magnetometer (SCM) on Parker Solar Probe The SCM reveals the magnetic signature of dust impacts and of slow extraordinary waves associated with type III radio bursts The SCM reveals in detail oblique whistlers and the radial evolution of turbulence at kinetic scales