Quick Dips

Geomagnetic Pulsations

Scientists are planning extensions to the year-round studies of energy transfer from the solar wind to the Earth via the magnetosphere. An international programme is being organised in Antarctica to develop ten or more monitoring sites.

Results from regular monitoring in temperate regions have been compiled over the past 50 years, and the energy patterns are moderately well understood. In polar regions, however, monitoring has been undertaken only for the past 5-6 years, and early indications show the pulsations to be more complicated than those recorded further north.

Incoming geomagnetic pulsations are monitored round the clock at the Arrival Heights laboratory near Scott Base. The data is stored on computer and returned to New Zealand and Australia for analysis.

Once analysed, the information can be used to improve the design and function of services such as electricity generation, satellite communications and radar imaging.