UCLA has provided many of the newly installed ground-based magnetometers for the THEMIS project. These magnetometers have involved students and allowed them to make a meaningful contribution to THEMIS science. These data are now being broadcast worldwide, in many cases, in near real time.

THEMIS and Ground-Based Magnetometers

These magnetometers measure the Earth’s magnetic field with high resolution, and with precise timing provided by the Global Positioning System. They represent UCLA’s next generation of low-cost, ground-based magnetometers using an inexpensive personal computer for data collection, storage and distribution. These systems can be used in a stand-alone mode requiring only AC power. If there is internet connectivity, they can be configured to provide near real-time data over the web. These data are provided at full resolution to the entire scientific community over the web with minimal delay.

Figure 1. Magnetometer kit shipped to each EPO site. In back row, personal computer tower and monitor sit on shipping box. To the left is the cable encased in a garden hose. In front are the sensor, GPS system, UPS system, cords and cables. Click here to display a larger image

Figure 2. Teacher and students at Remus assist with the installation of the magnetometer Click here to display a larger image

Figure 3. Locations of GBO and EPO magnetometers.

Click here to enlarge the image.

The THEMIS mission includes a comprehensive ground-based measurement network that adds two additional dimensions to the information gained in the night magnetosphere by the five THEMIS spacecraft. This network provides necessary correlative data on the strength and extent of events, enables their onsets to be accurately timed, and provides an educational component in which students have an active participation in the program. The magnetometers, installed to obtain these ground-based North American magnetic measurements, include the magnetometers installed as part of the educational effort (EPO), and magnetometers provided by UCLA for the Canadian and Alaskan ground-based observatories (GBO).

Figure 4. H-component magnetograms for high latitude stations during the first THEMIS substorm event, on March 23, 2007. Click here to enlarge the image

Figure 5. H-component magnetograms from the EPO stations during the March 23, 2007 substorm. Click here to enlarge the image

Biographical Note

Chris Russell is a Professor of Geophysics and Space Physics at UCLA. He has been engaged in substorm research using space-based measurements at the Earth and planets for over four decades.