The analyses that have led to the finding of a new polar magnetic disturbance are reviewed, and a unified picture is presented. Although the new disturbance has been reported under various names, an essential common feature is that the disturbance does not originate from the auroral electrojet. The high correlation observed between the disturbance and the orientation of the interplanetary magnetic field suggests that the disturbance reflects a basic interaction process between the solar wind and the magnetosphere.