Magnetometer networks during the International Magnetosphere Study

The paper describes the geographical layout of the planned North American IMS magnetometer network and outlines some plans regarding instrumentation and data transmission services. The network consists of three meridional high-latitude chains, an east-west chain along the auroral zone, and a network of stations at mid-latitudes. In addition, the Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories will have their own network with an east-west chain along geomagnetic latitude 54 N and some other mid-latitude stations. The preliminary magnetometer specifications require that the three-component flux gate magnetometer be accurate to within 0.25 gamma and that each axis be sampled every 10 sec. A block diagram is presented showing the proposed magnetometer station, of which the most complex piece of equipment will be the interface controller. The SMS-GOES satellite telemetry relay capability will be used for transmission of data from a selected network of magnetic stations to the Space Environment Laboratory in Boulder.