Overall

  • We reproduce FT like results using a technique and a
    different set of underlying assumptions.
  • However, not enough evidence that EQS improves
    upon FT to support routine EQS deployment.

New satellite data – ESA Swarm

  • Three identical satellites, each 9 m long with boom deployed, measuring the magnetic field and complementary plasma parameters

Swarm magnetic field sensors

  • Absolute scalar magnetometer that can also deliver vector measurements (France)_
  • Optical bench: vector field magnetometer and 3-head star camera (Denmark)
  • Magnetometers mounted on boom

Launch/Comissioning

  • Launched on 22 November 2013 on Rockot launcher from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Russia
  • Breeze upper stage released the tightly packed satellites into near-polar circular orbit at an altitude of 490 km
  • Final orbit configuration is two at a lower altitude, measuring the East-West gradient of the magnetic field, the third at a higher altitude in a different local time sector 

Data availability

  • All instruments working to specification with exception of 1 (redundant) scalar magnetic field sensor and 1 accelerometer
  • Unexpected thermo-electric/thermoelastic behaviour in optical bench – very small, can be modelled '
  • Global coverage of data within a few days

Data coverage 24 Oct

  • Scalar
  • Vector
  • Local times of near-noon (UT) ascending nodes currently 08:39 for lower 2 satellites and 09:36 for higher satellite

Swarm - Science goals

  • Core field dynamics
    • Inner core control of outer core motion expected at poles?
    • Small-scale waves in core flows
  • Lithospheric field down to ~350 km wavelengths
    • Deep lithospheric structure
    • World digital magnetic anomaly map
    • Bridging the gap to aeromag surveys
  • ‘External’ magnetic fields
    • Ionosphere and magnetosphere – short wavelength time/space variations
    • Magnetic forcing of atmospheric density, composition
    • ‘Space weather’ monitoring
  • 3D mantle electrical conductivity

....

View the entire Presentation:

Recent Developments in Modelling the Internal Magnetic Field of the Earth

Susan Macmillan and Laurence Billingham

  

More from Meeting 40