What is a Magnetometer?
A magnetometer is a scientific instrument that measures magnetic fields. It can also determine its orientation and direction. The sun sprays out particles into the outer space which is called a solar wind. The solar wind is a stream of charged particles (like a stream of water) but of a plasma (ionized gas where electrons are free) that are flowing out from the upper atmosphere (outer region) of the sun. It consists mostly of electrons and protons. These charged particles then create a tiny magnetic field that shifts and pitches as it flows thru the solar system. This magnetic field is called by scientists, interplanetary magnetic field. The above image to the right shows the solar wind. What Does Your Magnetometer Do? – With the most sensitive instrument known to science, the Torsion Balance connects the observer (you) to what is being observed. It uses 2-tiny ultra-powerful magnets which are delicately suspended from an extremely delicate nylon fiber to detect subtile shifts in the l
A magnetometer is a scientific instrument which measures magnetic fields. In addition to determining the strength of a magnetic field, a magnetometer can also determine its orientation and direction. There are a wide range of uses for magnetometers, along with several basic styles which can be used, depending on the circumstances. Some of these devices are so sensitive that they are capable of detecting the signs of increased sun activity before these signs are visible to observatories. One of the most obvious uses for a magnetometer is in scientific observations of the Earth’s magnetic field, which can fluctuate in various circumstances. Magnetometers are also used by geologists to learn more about specific regions of the Earth’s crust, or to look for magnetic minerals like iron. These devices can also measure the impact of various human activities on the Earth’s magnetic field. Several long-running scientific surveys keep magnetometers continuously running for the purpose of gatherin
A magnetometer is an instrument for measuring the direction and/or intensity of magnetic fields. The world is the center of a giant magnetic field. Dr. David P. Stern, formerly from the Goddard Space Center wrote and maintains an interesting web site, The Great Magnet, the Earth, that describes the history of man’s research into understanding the earth’s magnetism, how to measure it and what it affects. It’s a fun site filled with history, science and tips for teachers http://istp.gsfc.nasa.gov/earthmag/demagint.htm.
