The reduction and analysis of satellite magnetometer data

Abstract

Analyses of the POGO satellite magnetometer data have demonstrated the basic utility of such measurements to solid earth studies and provided the basis for Magsat, a new satellite specifically designed for such studies. Such data can play a useful role in the compilation, reduction, and analysis of magnetic survey data, especially at regional scales, and are complementary to those obtained in such surveys. However, the reduction and interpretation techniques for satellite magnetometer measurements differ significantly from the techniques routinely applied to conventional data. Although the unequal spacing, in three dimensions, of the satellite data and the variation in the direction and intensity of the main geomagnetic field pose some interpretation problems, these problems can be suitably handled by using modifications of several standard techniques. The variation in altitude of the satellite measurements can also be used to advantage in some analyses.