Magnetic methods, satellite

Abstract

Over the last decade, the availability of continuous time series of high-precision magnetic measurements from space (Ørsted, CHAMP and Ørsted-2/SAC-C satellites) has significantly advanced the knowledge of magnetic fields observed in the near-Earth environment compared to the previous space-borne magnetic observations. These magnetic fields are produced by many sources, ranging from the core of the Earth to the regions deep in the Earth’s magnetosphere, and include also effects caused by the Sun’s direct influence on the Earth. The newest CHAMP-based lithospheric field models (e.g., MF6, Maus et al., 2008) have a wealth of geologic information that can be used to improve regional and local magnetic survey compilations and decipher regional geologic characteristics difficult to assess from local or regional magnetic anomaly compilations or areas devoid of near-surface magnetic measurements on the Earth.