Hermanus Magnetic Observatory (HMO)

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Bryce Harmon
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1 Hermanus Magnetic Observatory (HMO) As a Space Physics facility in Africa Presented by Danie Gouws & Elda Saunderson

2 The HMO in a nutshell... The Hermanus Magnetic Observatory (HMO) is a national facility under the National Research Foundation of South Africa. The HMO is part of the worldwide network of magnetic observatories and is responsible for research infrastructure and data used to monitor the near Earth space environment. The scope of its activities include fundamental and applied space physics research, post-graduate student training, science outreach, and the provision of geomagnetic field related services on a commercial basis. Main building Aerial photo depicting 16ha barrier

3 A Short History of the HMO 1932: Established as a Magnetic Observatory at the University of Cape Town in response to International Commission for the Polar Year 1941: Magnetic Observatory relocated to Hermanus to escape the disturbing effects of the electric railway system HMO is located 50 km from the Southern Tip of Africa! Since 1941 HMO operated as a magnetic observatory under a variety of semi-government institutions. Future: HMO will be transferring soon to the newly established South African National Space Agency

K, A indices Supplemented with Oersted & Champ satellite data

4 INTERMAGNET Magnetic Observatory 4 INTERMAGNET magnetic observatories 30 secular variation stations in Southern Africa K, A indices Supplemented with Oersted & Champ satellite data Generate magnetic models HON SJG KAK HER Contribute to DST ring current index

5 Magnetic Observatory Instrumentation Currently: In future: Sampling rate every 5 seconds, reduced to 1 min data sample at 10 Hz, reduced to 1 sec data DI Fluxgate GSM-19 Overhauser FGE Fluxgate Pulsation magnetometers Neutron monitors Cosmic rays didd

Space Physics Research Studies of ULF waves using ground-based and satellite

CHAMP and Cluster) Theoretical studies of waves in plasmas Modeling of the

(Zenith Angle) Ø (Geographic Latitude) I (Magnetic Inclination) D (Magnetic

6 Space Physics Research Studies of ULF waves using ground-based and satellite data (e.g. CHAMP and Cluster) Theoretical studies of waves in plasmas Modeling of the lower ionosphere using neural networks DN (Day Number) UT (Universal Time) ZA (Zenith Angle) Ø (Geographic Latitude) I (Magnetic Inclination) D (Magnetic Declination) A16 (Magnetic Index) R2 (Solar Index) M (Angle of Meridian) Model fof2 hmf2 M3000 Ionospheric characterization using dual frequency GPS observations

Space Weather at the HMO Ionospheric models (HF

electron content (TEC) SA ionosonde data published to

research Receiver Elevation angle Ionosphere

7 Space Weather at the HMO Ionospheric models (HF communications, direction finding) Real-time total electron content (TEC) SA ionosonde data published to the World Data Center & used for local Space Weather research Receiver Elevation angle Ionosphere Transmitter Ionosonde and GPS locations in Southern Africa Digisonde DPS-4D

8 Regional Warning Center for Space Weather in Africa International Space Environment Service (ISES)

9 South African Earth Science Observatories In the South Atlantic and Antarctic Hermanus 1941 Gough Island Sep 2008 Marion Island April 2007 SANAE IV 72.0 S, 2.5 W Des

They form part of SuperDARN, an international collaboration between 11 countries

10 South African Antarctic base SANAE IV HMO maintains an HF radar at Sanae, Antarctica, which is paired with the British HF radar at Halley. They form part of SuperDARN, an international collaboration between 11 countries operating 16 HF radars in the auroral regions. SUPERDARN HF Radar SANAE IV, Antarctica HF radar coverage, Antarctica SANAE HALLEY

11 South African Antarctic base SANAE IV GPS & GISTM Receiver Antennas (GPS Ionospheric scintillation and total electron content monitoring) Imaging Riometer VLF Receiver antenna

12 Instruments at SANAE (Antarctica) Space Weather instruments deployed and managed at SANAE: - Overhauser absolute geomagnetic field magnetometer; - Declination-Inclination (DI) observation station; - FGE three-axis magnetometer; - Overhauser proton magnetometer; - GPS Ionospheric Scintillation and Total Electron Content Monitor (GISTM); - ULTRAMSK and AWESOME narrowband VLF receivers; - digital broadband VLF recording system, DVRAS; - Automatic whistler detector (AWD); - World Wide Lightning Location Network (WWLLN) node; - Imaging and broad beam riometers; - 2 low light auroral video cameras.

13 South Atlantic Islands Marion island: GISTM and a ULTRAMSK VLF receiver GISTM antenna Gough island: GISTM (GPS Ionospheric scintillation and total electron content monitoring) and GPS receivers

14 Magnetic Technology Services Aircraft compass swing support for manned and unmanned aircraft Calibration of mechanical and electronic compasses and magnetometers Support industry with placement of magnetic sensor on dynamic platforms Design and construction of satellite orientation magnetometer

15 Magnetic Evaluations Large Helmholtz Coils Specialised coil configurations Shielding tests for SQUID in cryocooler in collaboration with the University of Stellenbosch Magnetic shielding Cryoperm 10 Screening chamber: Screening factor >

16 Support SA Navy with signature measurement and management Ship s magnetic field Multi-sensor underwater tripod Underwater measurement range Submarine deperming facility

17 Science Outreach and Education Dedicated Science Centre for educators and learners Summer & Winter Schools Honours Projects MSc and PhD students on site

18 Thank you

The Hermanus Magnetic Observatory as a space physics facility

i-dust 2010, 02002 (2011) DOI: 10.1051/idust/201102002 C Owned by the authors, published by EDP Sciences, 2011 The Hermanus Magnetic Observatory as a space physics facility D.J. Gouws a, E.F. Saunderson