Abstract
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. This paper describes the magnetometers installed to obtain these ground-based North American magnetic measurements, including the magnetometers installed as part of the educational effort, and the support electronics provided by UCLA for the ground-based observatories. 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.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
T. Boesinger, K. Alanko, J. Kangas, W. Baumjohann, H. Opgenoorth, Correlations between PiB type magnetic micropulsations, auroras and equivalent current structures during two isolated substorms. J. Atmospheric Terr. Phys. 43, 993–945 (1981)
Y.F. Gao, P.J. Chi et al., Sino-Magnetic Array at Low Latitudes (SMALL) including initial results from the sister sites in the United States. Adv. Space Res. 25(7/8), 1343–1351 (2000)
Y.S. Ge, C.T. Russell, T.-S. Hsu, S. Mende, V. Angelopoulos, J.I. Rae, R.L. McPherron, Investigation on Pi1 B pulsations using THEMIS ground-based magnetometers. American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting, 2007
S.E. Harris, S.B. Mende, V. Angelopoulos, W. Rachelson, E. Donovan, B. Jackel, M. Greffen, C.T. Russell, D. Pierce, D. Dearborn, THEMIS ground-based observatory system design. Space Sci. Rev. (2008, this issue)
W. Magnes, D. Pierce et al., A sigma-delta fluxgate mangnetometer for space applications. Meas. Sci. Technol. 14, 1003–1012 (2003)
R.L. McPherron, V. Angelopoulos et al., Pi 2 timing of substorm expansion onset using THEMIS ground based observations and other data. Geophys. Rev. Lett. (2008, submitted)
S.B. Mende, S.E. Harris, H.U. Frey, V. Angelopoulos, E. Donovan, B. Jackel, M. Greffen, C.T. Russell, L.M. Peticolas, Space Sci. Rev. (2008, this issue)
L.M. Peticolas, N. Craig et al., The Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) education and public outreach program. Space Sc. Rev. (2008, this issue)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Russell, C.T., Chi, P.J., Dearborn, D.J. et al. THEMIS Ground-Based Magnetometers. Space Sci Rev 141, 389–412 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-008-9337-0
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-008-9337-0