Low Powered Magnetometers (LPM) 

British Antarctic Survey (BAS) Low Power Magnetometers focus on studying the external magnetic field and its impact on power grid infrastructure. External magnetic field data collected by the magnetometers also support forecasting of other space weather hazards.  

A magnetometer functions like a highly sensitive compass, capable of precisely detecting both the direction and strength of Earth’s magnetic field. By measuring the spatial structure and temporal variations of the magnetic field, we can study physical processes ranging from the Earth’s interior to outer space. 

BAS has LPMs at Rothera Research Station, Halley Research Station and in the deep field.

Study of the Earth’s magnetic field requires a worldwide network of hundreds of magnetometers and is coordinated by the SuperMAG consortium. Within this network, BAS contributes vital data from its fluxgate/low powered magnetometers located in Antarctica—a region with sparse coverage, near the South Atlantic Anomaly (where the geomagnetic field is weakest) and beneath the aurora australis, an area where influences from space are particularly dynamic.  

Low Power Magnetometer (LPM) Network

Access data from the Low Power Magnetometer (LPM) network