Meanook Magnetic Observatory

Metadata from the NOAA Metadata Manager's Repository (NMMR)

• Identification_Information
• Data_Quality_Information
• Entity_and_Attribute_Information
• Distribution_Information
• Metadata_Reference_Information

Identification_Information:

Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator:Geological Survey of Canada

Publication_Date:1916

Title:

Meanook Magnetic Observatory

Online_Linkage:http://www.geolab.nrcan.gc.ca

Description:

Abstract:

Meanook Geomagnetic Observatory was established in July, 1916. The site is 136 km north of the city of Edmonton, Alberta and 18 km south of the town of Athabasca. The Observatory is located on the top of the plain to the west of Tawatinaw valley. The site is underlain by Upper Cretaceous sedimentary deposits to a depth of 2 km. The nearest railway passes through the bottom of the valley about 5 km southeast of the Observatory. A recording basement to house Kew-type variometers was added to the original building in 1927. The absolute building and the heating system were renovated in 1940. In 1941 an annex to the basement recording room was constructed to house the two sets of LaCour variometers which had been located in a temporary hut since the International Polar Year (1932-1933). In 1951 the absolute instruments and LaCour variometers were transferred to a new magnetic observatory building. In 1955 an additional 215 hectares of land adjacent to the Observatory were purchased. Ground electrodes were established 1.6 km apart in north-south and east-west directions for the study of telluric currents. Meanook Observatory was considerably expanded for the International Geophysical Year (1957-1958). In addition to the standard magnetic observatory, an auroral all-sky camera, an auroral intensity recorder, a patrol spectrograph a vertical incidence sounder, a fixed ionosphere backscatter sounder, a riometer and a telluric recorder were also in operation at the station. During the second International Polar Year the station consisted of only two buildings on a one hectare site; in 1957 the station possessed 15 buildings on a protected area of 219 hectares. Land and buildings no longer required for Earth Physics Branch (now part of the Geological Survey of Canada) programs were transferred to the Department of Public Works on 1 July, 1976. The 1951 magnetic observatory building and the old absolute building which still housed the optical variograph (RUSKA) were retained for the operation of the Meanook Geomagnetic Observatory. The old absolute building was demolished in 1988. The remaining building is centred in a 213 m by 213 m area reserved exclusively for the use of the Geomagnetic Program. The excess land is now in use, by the Meanook Biological Research Station, University of Alberta. Only declination was recorded from 1916 to August 1927, at which time horizontal force and declination differential photographic recorders of the Kew-type were installed. A vertical force magnetometer was installed in September, 1931. Standard and low sensitivity LaCour recorders replaced the Kew variometers in 1933. RUSKA variometers were installed in May, 1961 in the basement of the old absolute building. The RUSKA variometers were adopted as the standard recorders on 1 October, 1963. The production of optically recorded magnetograms was discontinued on 31 July, 1979. Digital recordings of the geomagnetic field were begun in November, 1970 with the installation of the Earth Physics Branch's AMOS Mk I. The AMOS Mk I became the primary recorder for Meanook Observatory on 1 January, 1976. The aging AMOS Mk I was replaced by the AMOS Mk III in late November, 1980. In turn, the AMOS Mk III was replaced by the INTERMAGNET compliant CANMOS in mid-June, 1991.

Purpose:

To provide ground-based, calibrated values of the Earth's magnetic field at a specific location for scientific research and practical applications.

Supplemental_Information:

Elevation: 700 meters

Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Range_of_Dates/Times:

Beginning_Date:1916

Ending_Date:Present

Currentness_Reference:

ground condition

Status:

Progress:In work

Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency:Irregular

Spatial_Domain:

Bounding_Coordinates:

West_Bounding_Coordinate:-113.35

East_Bounding_Coordinate:-113.35

North_Bounding_Coordinate:54.62

South_Bounding_Coordinate:54.62

Keywords:

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus:NASA/GCMD Earth Science Keywords

Theme_Keyword:Earth Science > Solid Earth > Geomagnetism

Theme_Keyword:Earth Science > Solid Earth > Geomagnetism > Geomagnetic Indices

Theme_Keyword:Earth Science > Solid Earth > Geomagnetism > Magnetic Declination

Theme_Keyword:Earth Science > Solid Earth > Geomagnetism > Magnetic Field

Theme_Keyword:Earth Science > Solid Earth > Geomagnetism > Magnetic Inclination

Theme_Keyword:Earth Science > Solid Earth > Geomagnetism > Magnetic Intensity

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus:ISO 19115 Topic Category

Theme_Keyword:geoscientificInformation

Theme_Keyword:intelligenceMilitary

Theme_Keyword:utilitiesCommunication

Theme_Keyword:climatologyMeteorologyAtmosphere

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus:INTERMAGNET

Theme_Keyword:Magnetic Observatory Definitive Data

Access_Constraints:None

Use_Constraints:

None

Point_of_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization:Geological Survey of Canada

Contact_Person:L. McKee

Contact_Address:

Address_Type:mailing

Address:

7-Observatory Crescent

Address:

City:Ottawa

State_or_Province:Ottawa

Postal_Code:K1A 0Y3

Country:Canada

Contact_Voice_Telephone:613-837-0729

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone:613-824-9803

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address:lmckee@NRCan.gc.ca

Data_Quality_Information:

Attribute_Accuracy:

Attribute_Accuracy_Report:

Data from the Meanook Magnetic Observatory met the requirements for being an INTERMAGNET Magnetic Observatory (IMO), and as such met the specifications listed in the INTERMAGNET Technical Manual (http://www.intermagnet.org//im_manual.pdf)

Quantitative_Attribute_Accuracy_Assessment:

Attribute_Accuracy_Value:Full field

Attribute_Accuracy_Explanation:

Dynamic Range

Quantitative_Attribute_Accuracy_Assessment:

Attribute_Accuracy_Value:0.025 nT

Attribute_Accuracy_Explanation:

Resolution

Quantitative_Attribute_Accuracy_Assessment:

Attribute_Accuracy_Value:8 Hz reduced by a boxcar filter to 1 second data; 1 second data reduced to 5 second data by use of a 9 point Guassian filter

Attribute_Accuracy_Explanation:

Sampling Rate

Quantitative_Attribute_Accuracy_Assessment:

Attribute_Accuracy_Value:INTERMAGNET 19 point Gaussian

Attribute_Accuracy_Explanation:

Numeric Filter

Logical_Consistency_Report:

Contact institution

Completeness_Report:

These data represent the complete record set for this station and this time period.

Lineage:

Process_Step:

Process_Description:

Contact institute

Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation:

Unknown

Process_Date:Unknown

Entity_and_Attribute_Information:

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label:Magnetometer

Entity_Type_Definition:

A scientific instrument for measuring the strength of magnetic fields.

Entity_Type_Definition_Source:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetometer

Attribute:

Attribute_Label:fluxgate magnetometer

Attribute_Definition:

A kind of magnetometer that detects second harmonic signals from a secondary coil surrounding an iron core that is driven into saturation by a primary coil using radio frequency signals. The second harmonic signal is proportional to the strength of the ambient magnetic field.

Attribute_Definition_Source:

http://www.earthsci.unimelb.edu.au/ES304/MODULES/MAG/NOTES/fluxgate.html

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain:

This is a type of magnetometer instrument used for measuring the Magnetic Field

Attribute:

Attribute_Label:proton precession magnetometer

Attribute_Definition:

A kind of scalar magnetometer that measures only the strength of the total magnetic field vector and not its direction or components. A hydrogen-rich fluid is polarized using a strong electric current. When the current is turned off, the protons in the fluid precess around the ambient magnetic field at a frequency given by the gyromagnetic ratio and proportional to the strength of the surrounding magnetic field.

Attribute_Definition_Source:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetometer#Scalar_magnetometers

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain:

This is a type of magnetometer instrument used for measuring the Magnetic Field

Attribute:

Attribute_Label:Overhauser magnetometer

Attribute_Definition:

A type of scalar magnetometer that employs the precession of free unpaired electrons rather than protons in a fluid.

Attribute_Definition_Source:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetometer#Scalar_magnetometers

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain:

This is a type of magnetometer instrument used for measuring the Magnetic Field

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label:Earth's Magnetic Field Components

Entity_Type_Definition:

The Earth's magnetic field is characterized by a direction and intensity which can be determined by various combinations of three of seven possible magnetic field components.

Entity_Type_Definition_Source:

Wienert, K.A., Notes on geomagnetic observatory and survey practice, UNESCO Earth Sciences 5, 1970.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label:Inclination (I)

Attribute_Definition:

The angle which the line of force at a point of observation makes with the horizontal plane, positive when directed downward

Attribute_Definition_Source:

Wienert, K.A., Notes on geomagnetic observatory and survey practice, UNESCO Earth Sciences 5, 1971

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum:-90.0

Range_Domain_Maximum:90.0

Attribute_Units_of_Measure:Decimal Degrees or Degrees and Decimal Minutes

Attribute:

Attribute_Label:Declination (D)

Attribute_Definition:

The angle made by the magnetic meridian and the true north meridian, considered positive east of north and negative west of north

Attribute_Definition_Source:

Wienert, K.A., Notes on geomagnetic observatory and survey practice, UNESCO Earth Sciences 5, 1971

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum:-180.0

Range_Domain_Maximum:180.0

Attribute_Units_of_Measure:Decimal Degrees or Degrees and Decimal Minutes

Attribute:

Attribute_Label:Horizontal Intensity (H)

Attribute_Definition:

The projection of the geomagnetic field vector on the horizontal plane, always positive

Attribute_Definition_Source:

Wienert, K.A., Notes on geomagnetic observatory and survey practice, UNESCO Earth Sciences 5, 1971

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum:0

Range_Domain_Maximum:40000.0

Attribute_Units_of_Measure:nanotesla

Attribute:

Attribute_Label:Vertical Intensity (Z)

Attribute_Definition:

The projection of the geomagnetic field vector on the vertical plane, positive when directed down

Attribute_Definition_Source:

Wienert, K.A., Notes on geomagnetic observatory and survey practice, UNESCO Earth Sciences 5, 1971

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum:-70000.0

Range_Domain_Maximum:60000.0

Attribute_Units_of_Measure:nanotesla

Attribute:

Attribute_Label:Total Intensity (F)

Attribute_Definition:

The scalar magnitude of the geomagnetic field vector, always positive

Attribute_Definition_Source:

Wienert, K.A., Notes on geomagnetic observatory and survey practice, UNESCO Earth Sciences 5, 1971

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum:25000.0

Range_Domain_Maximum:80000.0

Attribute_Units_of_Measure:nanotesla

Attribute:

Attribute_Label:North Component (X)

Attribute_Definition:

The projection of the horizontal component (H) in the true meridian

Attribute_Definition_Source:

Wienert, K.A., Notes on geomagnetic observatory and survey practice, UNESCO Earth Sciences 5, 1971

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum:-10000.0

Range_Domain_Maximum:45000.0

Attribute_Units_of_Measure:nanotesla

Attribute:

Attribute_Label:East Component (Y)

Attribute_Definition:

The projection of the horizontal component on the true east direction, positive when directed eastward

Attribute_Definition_Source:

Wienert, K.A., Notes on geomagnetic observatory and survey practice, UNESCO Earth Sciences 5, 1971

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum:-20000.0

Range_Domain_Maximum:20000.0

Attribute_Units_of_Measure:nanotesla

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label:Geographic Location

Entity_Type_Definition:

A coordinate system that provides a means for expressing every location on the Earth using three coordinates of a spherical coordinate system which is aligned with the spin axis of the Earth.

Entity_Type_Definition_Source:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geographic_location

Attribute:

Attribute_Label:Latitude

Attribute_Definition:

Latitude is an angular measurement in degrees that gives the location of a place on the Earth above (toward the North pole) or below (toward the South pole) of the equator.

Attribute_Definition_Source:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latitude

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum:-90

Range_Domain_Maximum:+90

Attribute_Units_of_Measure:angular degrees

Attribute:

Attribute_Label:Longitude

Attribute_Definition:

Longitude is an angluar measurement in degrees that describes the location of a place on the Earth east or west of a north-south line called the Prime Meridian.

Attribute_Definition_Source:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longitude

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum:-180

Range_Domain_Maximum:+180

Attribute_Units_of_Measure:angular degrees

Attribute:

Attribute_Label:Elevation

Attribute_Definition:

Elevation is the vertical position of a location relative to some height above the Earth's surface, generally taken as the mean sea level or geoid.

Attribute_Definition_Source:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geoid

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum:0

Range_Domain_Maximum:unlimited

Attribute_Units_of_Measure:meters

Distribution_Information:

Distributor:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization:DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NGDC > National Geophysical Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce

Contact_Person:David Fischman

Contact_Position:Data Manager

Contact_Address:

Address_Type:mailing and physical

Address:

325 Broadway

City:Boulder

State_or_Province:CO

Postal_Code:80303

Country:USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone:303 497-4654

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone:303-497-6513

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address:david.fischman@noaa.gov

Hours_of_Service:8:00 - 5:00 Mountain

Distribution_Liability:

While every effort has been made to ensure that these data are accurate and reliable within the limits of the current state of the art, NOAA cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in the data, nor as a result of the failure of the data to function on a particular system. NOAA makes no warranty, expressed or implied, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty.

Standard_Order_Process:

Digital_Form:

Digital_Transfer_Information:

Format_Name:IAGA2002

Format_Version_Date:2001

Format_Specification:

http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/IAGA/vdat/iagaformat.html

Format_Information_Content:

Columnar ASCII values including date, time, and magnetic field values, including header information pertinate to the individual observatory.

File_Decompression_Technique:generally ZIP

Digital_Transfer_Option:

Online_Option:

Computer_Contact_Information:

Network_Address:

Network_Resource_Name:http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/IAGA/vdat/iagaformat.html

Digital_Form:

Digital_Transfer_Information:

Format_Name:WDC-A

Digital_Transfer_Option:

Online_Option:

Computer_Contact_Information:

Network_Address:

Network_Resource_Name:www.wdcb.ru/stp/data/geo_min.val/AIA-Argentine%20Islands/DIGITAL%20WDC%20FORMATS.doc

Access_Instructions:

This is an outdated ASCII format.

Fees:None

Ordering_Instructions:

Contact NGDC for instructions.

Metadata_Reference_Information:

Metadata_Date:

Metadata_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization:DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NGDC > National Geophysical Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce

Contact_Person:David Fischman

Contact_Position:Data Manager

Contact_Address:

Address_Type:mailing and physical

Address:

325 Broadway

City:Boulder

State_or_Province:CO

Postal_Code:80303

Country:USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone:303 497-4654

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone:303-497-6513

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address:david.fischman@noaa.gov

Hours_of_Service:8:00 - 5:00 Mountain

Metadata_Standard_Name:Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata: Extensions for Remote Sensing Metadata

Metadata_Standard_Version:FGDC-STD-012-2002

Metadata_Extensions:

Online_Linkage:http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/metadata/extensions/local_extensions.html

Profile_Name:NGDC Extensions to FGDC Metadata