• BGS Data Catalogue
  •  
  •  
  •  

UK Magnetic Observatory Magnetograms.

Magnetograms are used to record variations in the strength and direction of the Earth’s magnetic field. In the UK measurements were made at eight long-running observatories; Abinger, Eskdalemuir, Falmouth, Greenwich, Hartland, Kew and Lerwick. Original paper magnetograms were recorded using photographic techniques at Kew, Greenwich, Abinger, Hartland, Eskdalemuir and Lerwick Observatories. The magnetogram collection, one of the longest running geomagnetic series in the world, provides a continuous record of more than 160 years of UK measurements. These magnetograms start in the 1840s and end in 1986 at which time digital recording of the magnetic field took over and magnetograms can be produced by computer graphic. The plots show variation in the Earth's magnetic field, typically over a 24-hour period. The collection is a valuable, partly untapped data resource for studying geomagnetic storms, space weather and the evolution of the Earth’s magnetic field. The magnetograms provide insight into: • the Earth’s outer core: long-term change (years to centuries) in the dynamo that sustains our magnetic field • space weather: short-term changes (seconds to days) in near-Earth space and on the ground • space climate: long-term change (decades to centuries) in solar activity and consequences for Earth’s environment All the above have an impact on human activities. For example, bad space weather affects technologies that we increasingly rely on, such as electrical power and GPS networks. In January 2009, the BGS began a project to capture high-quality digital images of the magnetogram collection to provide a back up to the photographic paper originals. The images captured so far are available to search online. Scientists and the general public around the world can now gain easy access to this historical dataset.The programme of work to complete the magnetogram digitisation is ongoing and more will be added, observatory by observatory.

Default

Identification info

Metadata Language
English (en)
Dataset Reference Date ()
1841
Identifier

http://data.bgs.ac.uk/id/dataHolding/13480124

 

British Geological Survey

-

Enquiries


The Lyell Centre, Research Avenue South

,

EDINBURGH

,

LOTHIAN

,

EH14 4AP

,

United Kingdom

0115 936 3142
0115 936 3276
 

British Geological Survey

-

Enquiries


The Lyell Centre, Research Avenue South

,

EDINBURGH

,

LOTHIAN

,

EH14 4AP

,

United Kingdom

0115 936 3142
0115 936 3276
Maintenance and update frequency
notPlanned
GEMET - INSPIRE themes
  • Geology
BGS Thesaurus of Geosciences
  • Geomagnetism

  • Observatories

Keywords
  • NERC_DDC

Limitations on Public Access
otherRestrictions
Other constraints
Unrestricted access and use.
Use constraints
otherRestrictions
Other constraints

The copyright of materials derived from the British Geological Survey's work is vested in the Natural Environment Research Council [NERC]. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a retrieval system of any nature, without the prior permission of the copyright holder, via the BGS Intellectual Property Rights Manager. Use by customers of information provided by the BGS, is at the customer's own risk. In view of the disparate sources of information at BGS's disposal, including such material donated to BGS, that BGS accepts in good faith as being accurate, the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) gives no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the quality or accuracy of the information supplied, or to the information's suitability for any use. NERC/BGS accepts no liability whatever in respect of loss, damage, injury or other occurence however caused.

Other constraints

Either: (i) the dataset is made freely available, e.g. via the Internet, for a restricted category of use (e.g. educational use only); or (ii) the dataset has not been formally approved by BGS for access and use by external clients under licence, but its use may be permitted under alternative formal arrangements; or (iii) the dataset contains 3rd party data or information obtained by BGS under terms and conditions that must be consulted in order to determine the permitted usage of the dataset. Refer to the BGS staff member responsible for the creation of the dataset if further advice is required. He / she should be familiar with the composition of the dataset, particularly with regard to 3rd party IPR contained in it, and any resultant use restrictions. This staff member should revert to the IPR Section (ipr@bgs.ac.uk) for advice, should the position not be clear. ipr@bgs.ac Either: (i) the dataset is made freely available, e.g. via the Internet, for a restricted category of use (e.g. educational use only); or (ii) the dataset has not been formally approved by BGS for access and use by external clients under licence, but its use may be permitted under alternative formal arrangements; or (iii) the dataset contains 3rd party data or information obtained by BGS under terms and conditions that must be consulted in order to determine the permitted usage of the dataset. Refer to the BGS staff member responsible for the creation of the dataset if further advice is required. He / she should be familiar with the composition of the dataset, particularly with regard to 3rd party IPR contained in it, and any resultant use restrictions. This staff member should revert to the IPR Section (ipr@bgs.ac.uk) for advice, should the position not be clear.

Spatial representation type
textTable
Denominator
10000
Topic category
  • Geoscientific information
Extent

GB

Dataset Reference Date ()
2009

Extent

UK [id=139300]

Dataset Reference Date ()
1979

Extent

UKM

Dataset Reference Date ()
2009

N
S
E
W


Begin date
1840
End date
1986
Additional information

Last magnetogram was for 01-DEC-1986. All magnetograms that were recorded are available. Observatories are at several UK locations.

 

Spatial Reference System

No information provided.

Distribution Information

Data format
  • PAPER - Paper copies.

    ()

  • Digital Image

    ()

Resource Locator
BGS Magnetograms - Homepage
Resource Locator
BGS Magnetograms - Homepage
 
Quality Scope
dataset
Other

dataset

Report

Dataset Reference Date ()
2011
Explanation

See the referenced specification

Degree

Report

Dataset Reference Date ()
2010-12-08
Explanation

See http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2010:323:0011:0102:EN:PDF

Degree
Statement

Original paper magnetograms recorded using photographic technqiues at Kew, Greenwich, Abinger, Hartland, Eskdalemuir and Lerwick Observatories. Magnetograms start in the 1840s and end in 1986 at which time digital recording of the magnetic field took over and magnetograms can be produced by computer graphic. n January 2009, the BGS began a project to capture high-quality digital images of the magnetogram collection to provide a back up to the photographic paper originals. The images captured so far are available to search online. Scientists and the general public around the world can now gain easy access to this historical dataset. The programme of work to complete the magnetogram digitisation is ongoing and more will be added, observatory by observatory.

Metadata

File identifier
9df8df51-62d0-37a8-e044-0003ba9b0d98 XML
Metadata Language
English (en)
Resource type
dataset
Metadata Date
2022-05-19
Metadata standard name
UK GEMINI
Metadata standard version

2.3

 

British Geological Survey


The Lyell Centre, Research Avenue South

,

EDINBURGH

,

LOTHIAN

,

EH14 4AP

,

United Kingdom

+44 131 667 1000
 
 

Overviews

N
S
E
W



Publishing Body

Access the portal
Full access to the portal and metadata.

Associated resources (if any)

Not available


  •  
  •  
  •