Understanding HamSCI Magnetometers Measurements and Observations: A Preliminary Report and Demonstration

Ground-based magnetometers are unique instruments that allow for remote sensing of the dynamics and structure of the geospace magnetospheric environment directly from the Earth’s surface. Traditionally, science-grade magnetometers for this purpose have been prohibitively expensive for individuals to operate; therefore, geomagnetic observations are normally restricted to select sites operated by research institutions and government agencies. Recent technological developments by industry and citizen science organizations have brought down the cost of magnetometer ownership and operation to a level affordable by individuals. Such a magnetometer is part of the HamSCI Personal Space Weather Station (PSWS) suite, which includes not only a ground magnetometer for magnetospheric studies, but also radio receivers for ionospheric studies. The HamSCI PSWS project is led by the University of Scranton, but research here has primarily focused on supporting the radio instrumentation of the project. In this presentation/demonstration we have established a laboratory testbed in the University of Scranton Loyola Science center. This testbed is currently being used to develop in-house expertise in the HamSCI magnetometer system to allow faculty, staff, and students at Scranton to better understand instrument operation, capabilities, limitations for the purpose of improved data analysis and support of the Citizen Science Community that will be operating these systems. In this presentation/demonstration, we will showcase how we are using it and our simulation of the Gannon Storm.