The Magnetic Fields of Active Regions - Part One

The Mount Wilson daily magnetogram data set is used in its coarse format to determine various statistical properties of magnetic regions. The method of defining magnetic regions is described, and also the criteria for a `return' of a magnetic region from one day to the next are given. Region sizes, polarity separations, total and net magnetic fluxes, magnetic complexities, and polarity orientations are defined. A relationship is found between polarity orientation and region size in the sense that regions with less magnetic flux tend to show greater deviation on average from the usual polarity orientation.