Port-aux-Francais 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:Ecole et Observatoire des Sciences de la Terre (EOST)

Publication_Date:1957

Title:

Port-aux-Francais Magnetic Observatory

Online_Linkage:http://eost.u-strasbg.fr

Description:

Abstract:

The first magnetic observatory operated in the Kerguelen Islands was established on the site of Observatory Bay (49.420 S - 69.889 E) by the German Expedition " D.S.P ". K.Luyken was the observer and made regular absolute observations during years 1902-1903. In 1957, during the International Geophysical Year (IGY),the Kerguelen observatory (IAGA code KGL) was opened near the Port-aux-Francais base. This base is located on the shallow plain of the Courbet Peninsula, eastward of Kerguelen Island. The magnetic observatory was setup on the western side of a small valley, 300 meters away from the laboratory quarters of the main base. This observatory comprised two huts. One of these huts housed the " La Cour " magnetograph, and the other one the absolute pier (49.352 S - 70.215 E). Magnetic observation routine involved continuous recording of the magnetic field variations (H, D, Z), based on the " La Cour " magnetograph and absolute measurements performed with a Chasselon theodolite (D), a Cambridge inclinometer (I), a B.M.Z. and a Q.H.M. From the beginning, large magnetic anomalies were detected around absolute and variometer shelters, being caused by the basaltic flows which outcrops near the coast line and everywhere around Port-aux-Francais. Thus, it was impossible to avoid this perturbation. The observatory was operated in these conditions until 1966. In 1967, two photoelectric feedback field magnetometers (H and D components) and an optical pumping magnetometer (Ceasium vapor supplied by Varian) were set up in a new thermostated shelter. A digital " punched tape " recorder was used to sample the H,D and F elements at 1-minute intervals. This system was operating until 1971 and absolute measurements were still made by means of traditional instruments (Chasselon theodolite, Q.H.M., B.M.Z., completed by an ELSEC proton precession magnetometer. In 1972, a VFO31 triaxial fluxgate variometer was installed at KGL observatory. A low-power device for digital recording on magnetic tape was used (1973-1987). Since 1980 an EOST D-I fluxgate has replaced the traditional absolute instruments. A proton magnetometer was used for the measurements of total field F. " La Cour " magnetograph was definitively removed in 1981, after more than twenty years of continuous working. In 1988 a new absolute hut was established for logistic reasons approximatively 3 km east of former KGL observatory site. The variometer shelter moved there as well. The new observatory was named Port-aux-Francais (IAGA code PAF) and references were modified. In 1988 a new digital data logger was developed on a PC basis.

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: 32 meters

Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Range_of_Dates/Times:

Beginning_Date:1957

Ending_Date:Present

Currentness_Reference:

ground condition

Status:

Progress:In work

Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency:Irregular

Spatial_Domain:

Bounding_Coordinates:

West_Bounding_Coordinate:70.26

East_Bounding_Coordinate:70.26

North_Bounding_Coordinate:-49.35

South_Bounding_Coordinate:-49.35

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:Ecole et Observatoire des Sciences de la Terre

Contact_Person:M. Cara, Director

Contact_Address:

Address_Type:mailing

Address:

5, rue Rene Descartes

Address:

Contact institute

City:Strasbourg

State_or_Province:Cedex

Postal_Code:F-67084

Country:France

Contact_Voice_Telephone:33 (0)3 90 24 00 60

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone:33 (0)3 90 24 01 25

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address:JeanJacques.Schott@eost.u-strasbg.fr

Data_Quality_Information:

Attribute_Accuracy:

Attribute_Accuracy_Report:

Data from the Port-aux-Francais Magnetic Observatory 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:+/- 2000 nT

Attribute_Accuracy_Explanation:

Dynamic Range

Quantitative_Attribute_Accuracy_Assessment:

Attribute_Accuracy_Value:0.1nT

Attribute_Accuracy_Explanation:

Resolution

Quantitative_Attribute_Accuracy_Assessment:

Attribute_Accuracy_Value:2 sec

Attribute_Accuracy_Explanation:

Sampling Rate

Quantitative_Attribute_Accuracy_Assessment:

Attribute_Accuracy_Value: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