Fluctuation Effects on Directional Data

Abstract

The problem addressed is that of determining best values and confidence limits for the amplitude and phase of an unknown harmonic amplitude vector, given a single set of directions measured on a circle. The previously known solution, for the limiting case of small fluctuation, is inapplicable to the great majority of cosmic-ray anisotropy measurements. Solutions are given that are thought to be valid for all cases likely to occur in practice.