On the possibility of producing definitive magnetic observatory data within less than one year

Abstract

Geomagnetic observatory data are fundamental in geomagnetic field studies and are widely used in other applications. Often they are combined with satellite and ground survey data. Unfortunately, the observatory definitive data are only available with a time lag ranging from several months up to more than a year. The reason for this lag is the annual production of the final calibration values, i.e. baselines that are used to correct preliminary data from continuously recording magnetometers. In this paper, we will show that the preparation of definitive geomagnetic data is possible within a calendar year and presents an original method for prompt and automatic estimation of the observatory baselines. The new baselines, obtained in a mostly automatic manner, are compared with the baselines reported on INTERMAGNET DVDs for the 2009-2011 period. The high quality of the baselines obtained by the proposed method indicates its suitability for data processing in fully automatic observatories when automated absolute instruments will be deployed at remote sites.

Geomagnetism: From Alexander von Humboldt to Current Challenges

“…Improving the observatory data coverage over oceans and remote regions requires progress toward fully automated (Korte et al, ; Rasson et al, ) and sea‐floor observatories (Rasson et al, ). Moreover, recent efforts toward near real‐time definitive data (Clarke et al, ; Mandic & Korte, ; Peltier & Chulliat, ) and high cadence (1 s) data (Brunke et al, ; Reay et al, …”