Automated pre-processing of body-mounted magnetometer data from constellations of low earth orbit satellites for derivation of birkeland current signatures

US8686721B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · US

Inventors

• Brian J. Anderson · Yorkville, US
• Lars Dyrud · Crownsville, US
• Jonathan Fentzke · Arlington, US
• Robin J. Barnes · Elkridge, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 19, 2012
• Grant date: Apr 1, 2014
• Expiry date: Oct 10, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01V3/40
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A system, method and computer-readable medium for mapping magnetic activity for a current linking a planet's space environment to an ionosphere of the planet are disclosed. Magnetic field measurements of the current are obtained from a plurality of satellites orbiting the planet. A residual magnetic field is determined from the obtained magnetic field measurements. The determined residual magnetic field is arranged to create a time series for a selected location of a planet-centered coordinate system. The magnetic activity is mapped using the created time series for the selected location.