Establishment of Abdus Salam Geomagnetic Observatory Sonmiani, Pakistan: Site Selection to INTERMAGNET Certification

Transcription

1 Pakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission Establishment of Abdus Salam Geomagnetic Observatory Sonmiani, Pakistan: Site Selection to INTERMAGNET Certification G. Murtaza Space Science Department SUPARCO 1

2 Earth s Magnetic Field Magnetic fields are produced by the motion of electrical charges. Origin of the geomagnetic field is not completely understood. It is thought to be associated with the electrical currents produced by the coupling of convective effects and rotation in the spinning liquid metallic outer core of iron and nickel. Rocks that are formed from the molten state contains indicators of the magnetic field. 2

3 Geomagnetic Field Monitoring To continuously record time variations of the magnetic field for historical archive To update global geomagnetic models To monitor magnetic storms that may affect satellite and its operation, aviation, radio communication, power grids, pipelines and navigation Source: ESA Cluster Mission, Oct Source: Primer on Solar Space Env, nes12.gif 3

4 Global Network of Geomagnetic Observatories More than 200 observatories are being operated around the world Source: NGDC, NOAA Total Magnetic Field for 2000 based on IGRF

5 Geomagnetic Field Monitoring in Pakistan Year 1953 Description Establishment of geomagnetic observatory at Quetta British Geological Survey (BGS) 1967 Establishment of geomagnetic observatory at Gilgit BGS 1983 Establishment of geomagnetic observatory at Karachi Upgradation of Karachi geomagnetic observatory Royal Institute of Meteorology (IRM) + BGS Establishment of Islamabad geomagnetic observatory and shifting of Karachi geomagnetic observatory to Sonmiani-IRM 2014 INTERMAGNET Certification of Sonmiani geomagnetic observatory 2016 Renovation of Sonmiani observatory to improve data quality 5

6 Geographic Locations of Geomagnetic Observatories in Pakistan AFGHANISTAN Gilgit Islamabad CHINA Latitude: 35 o Longitude: 74 o Latitude: 30 o Longitude: 67 o Latitude: 33 o Longitude: 73 o Quetta IRAN INDIA Sonmiani Karachi Non-Operational Latitude: 24 o 06' 48" Longitude: 66 o 27' 0.2" ARABIAN SEA Latitude: 24 o Longitude: 67 o Operational 6

7 Geomagnetic Observatory, Karachi The geomagnetic observatory established at Karachi in 1983 Latitude: 24 o Longitude: 67 o The AMOS-III of Karachi Geomagnetic Observatory at the Head Quarters comprised of the following instruments: Fluxgate magnetometer FM-100C for X, Y & Z magnetic field component measurements Proton Precession Magnetometer PPM-105 for total field measurement AMOS-III Sensors Magnetograms 7

8 Geomagnetic Observatory, Karachi Upgraded in 2007 by INtermagnet DIgital Geomagnetic Observatory (INDIGO) system, donated by BGS Obsolete due to urbanization, shifted to FTR, Sonmiani in 2008 with upgraded instruments INDIGO System 8

9 Geomagnetic Observatory, Sonmiani Survey for Site Selection Sonmiani, a coastal town in the southeast of Balochistan Province was selected for new observatory Geographic Coordinates: Latitude: 24 o 06' 48" Longitude: 66 o 27' 0.2" Magnetically clean environment Calculated declination was 04' 42" ~85km north of Karachi Magnetic survey Site selection 9

10 Construction Non-magnetic huts were constructed for both the sensors Main building and huts were connected by underground cables Sensor huts Absolute pier 1 Ground plan 10 m 2 20 m Legends: 1. Main Building 2. didd sensor hut 3. Absolute Pillar 4. LAMA sensor hut 3 25 m 4 10

11 Instrumentation Instruments for the observatory: Delta Inclination Delta Declination (didd) (GSM-19FD) data resolution is 2.5 sec, GEM Canada Fluxgate magnetometer data logger type FLV1/A LAMA variometers data resolution is 5 sec, IRM, Belgium DI-flux Theodolite (ZEISS) MINGEO, Hungary didd DI-Flux Theodolite LAMA 11

12 Installation Instruments (didd and LAMA) were installed in July 2008 Both sensors with 12V backup battery were installed in non-magnetic huts Data-logger along with the LAMA electronics console, didd electronics and the two PCs were placed in the main building Instrument electronics and PCs were powered by UPS as power crises issues persist In near future, electric generator will be installed to avoid data gaps due to power loss 12

13 Data Acquisition & Processing Absolute measurements are made twice a day and 5 days a week Data is transmitted to the main processing facility in Karachi Data is regularly uploaded to one of INTERMAGNET GINs at Edinburgh Data is processed on monthly/yearly basis 13

14 Instruments Recalibration LAMA variometer is recalibrated after 2-3 years Last recalibration was undertaken in September

15 Lightening Strike at the Observatory Lightening struck on March 3, 2014 near observatory premises Caused critical damage to the instruments in the observatory Various components of instrument and computers burnt-out 15

16 Lightening Strike at the Observatory The restoration of the observatory was carried out between Sep 5-10, 2014 as follows: Rectification of the fault/ re-installation of the variometer Recalibration of the system as per standards Training on recalibration of the variometer 16

17 Data Quality Improvement Measures Observatory was renovated in 2016 to improve the quality of data Installed lightening arrester to avoid further lightening incidences Before After 17

18 Data Quality Improvement Measures Increased thickness of sensor huts minimize temperature variations Before After 18

19 Data Quality Improvement Measures Installed shade over absolute pillar to minimize deterioration in the instrument due to direct exposure to sunlight Before After 19

20 Observatory Baseline 20

21 INTERMAGNET Certification The INTERMAGNET establishes a global network of cooperating digital magnetic observatories. INTERMAGNET has Geomagnetic Information Nodes (GINs) in 5 countries. 123 observatories from 44 countries participating in this program. Source: INTERMAGNET GIN, Source: INTERMAGNET Observatories, Google maps d=1pot_rljgghdiwfuyupbqp8gthhe&hl=en 21

22 INTERMAGNET Certification SUPARCO joined INTERMAGNET as full participating member 22

23 Data usage Monitoring and recording secular variation of local geomagnetic field Monitoring of magnetic activity and magnetic storms Repeat station work for preparation of magnetic charts Preparation of solar/ionospheric/geomagnetic activity summary Data sharing with national and international institutes/ organizations Scientific studies Geomagnetic storm 23

24 1 st OIC Workshop on Geomagnetism The 1 st Workshop on Geomagnetic Observatories and their Applications was held for OIC member countries, April, 2012 at the Geomagnetic Observatory, Islamabad with the collaboration of IRM, Belgium, ISNET & NCP. About 24 participants attended the Workshop among whom 15 were foreigners. 24

25 Activities in the context of SpW Monitoring of geomagnetic field Monitoring and study of ionosphere Monitoring of solar activity 25

26 SpW Operation/ Research Provision of SpW data and services to help mitigate risks to technological systems, operations and applications Provision of timely alerts and advisory regarding SpW to national agencies Sharing of data for carrying out scientific studies Collaboration with international SpW forecast centres for improvement of assimilative models and services 26

27 International Membership International Real-time Magnetic Network (INTERMAGNET) Asia-Oceania Space Weather Alliance (AOSWA) Inter program Coordination Team on Space Weather (ICTSW) Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO) Atmospheric effects on ionospheric modeling through study of radio wave propagation and solar activity Research on determining precursors ionospheric signatures of Earthquake by ground based ionospheric sounding 27

28 Regional Cooperation SUPARCO supports the idea of data sharing for development of regional models & caring out scientific research/ studies as proposed in the 3rd AOSWA Workshop, Fukuoka, Japan

29 Thank You 29