MAGNETOSPHERE
From Students:
As the solar wind passes Earth it causes minor fluctuations in Earth's magnetosphere somewhat like the flapping of a flag in a light breeze. Strong solar storms (CMEs), however, can cause significant variations in the magnetosphere. These variations can be detected all the way to the surface of Earth. A compass points to the North pole and tells us the direction of Earth's magnetic field. A compass is just a small magnet (the needle) carefully balanced on a pivot. The changes in the magnetosphere caused by solar storms are too small to be measured by a simple compass, so scientists and aurora watchers use a magnetometer.
The magnetometer you will build and use is very similar to early magnetometers used by scientists to detect magnetic change. In fact, many aurora photographers use magnetometers almost identical to yours to predict when strong auroras are likely.
TEACHER'S NOTE
Although changes in Earth's magnetic field are generally too small to be detected by a soda bottle magnetometer below Latitude 40°,
it is still recommended that students build and use their own magnetometer.
This activity will help them to better understand data from observatories and
satellites. NASA scientists use a variety of sources - this is for verification.
Students should recognize that they should not depend on a single source to
draw a conclusion. Once students have created graphs using magnetometer data
they should check their data with observatory and satellite data.
- NASA Official: Dr. James Thieman
- Project Manager: Don Robinson-Boonstra
- Website Manager: Bryan Stephenson