We finally succeeded in our search for funding! Three different sources under the Ministry of Research have together awarded us the necessary means for another year of operations. We will now have the opportunity of getting much better data coverage for the benefit of all investigations, as well as joint studies with Cluster, CHAMP and SAC-C.
Magnetic measurements taken by the Ørsted satellite during geomagnetic quiet conditions between December 18, 1999 and January 21, 2000 (2148 scalar data points and 3907 vector triplets) have been used to derive a spherical harmonic model of the Earth's magnetic field for epoch 2000.0.
The goal of this "Ørsted Initial Field Model" is to provide an accurate "snapshot" of the geomagnetic field model at epoch 2000.0. It provides a firm basis for studies of the ionospheric, magnetospheric, lithospheric and core fields.
To minimize contamination to the lower degree expansion coefficients from spatial aliasing the analysis was performed up to degree/order N=19 and 2 for internal and external sources, respectively, although coefficients above degree 14 may not be robust. Achieved rms misfit is < 2 nT for the scalar intensity and < 3 nT for one of the vector components perpendicular to the magnetic field. A manuscript describing the model has been submitted last week to GRL.
Further information about the model, its coefficients and the data used to derive the model can be found at www.dsri.dk/Oersted/Field_models/OIFM
Please indicate your interest in participation in a Nordic Combined ASTRID-2/ØRSTED External Fields and Particles Science Workshop Beginning of Year 2001, and your preferred time frame.
At the 3'rd Ørsted International Science Team Meeting, Grasse, France, May 2-4, 2000 and at the 3'rd Astrid-2 Workshop, Bromma, Sweden, May 11-12, 2000, the proposition was made to hold a joint Astrid-2/Ørsted workshop in Denmark during the fall of 2000.
Magnetic modelling efforts based on vector magnetometer data are proceeding in parallel within the Astrid-2 and Ørsted teams, as are studies of magnetospheric electrodynamics, and both teams make extensive use of ground based data.
Combining Astrid-2 electromagnetic field and particle observations with the Ørsted magnetic field and particle observations, will clearly benefit our science studies. To facilitate joint research activities, it is proposed to organise a joint meeting rooted in common presentations and discussions of observational and theoretical results.
The Danish Space Research Institute in collaboration with the Technical University of Denmark and the Danish Meteorological Institute has agreed to organise the next joint Astrid-2/Ørsted Workshop in Denmark, and for the practical arrangements we invite your statement of interest in such an activity.
A full 2-day workshop is proposed either during week 4, 5 or 6 of year 2001 (end January/start February). Please send an e-mail to fp@iau.dtu.dk indicating your interest in participation and your preferred time frame for the meeting, - and with any other comments or suggestions you may have.
Members of the Ørsted project team and those who receive the Ørsted newsletter may be interested to know about a job opportunity at the British Geological Survey (BGS) advertised in New Scientist (10th June). In particular there is an opportunity for a post in geomagnetism, based in the Edinburgh office of BGS. There are various projects within the geomagnetism programme concerning both internal and external geophysics.
These range from modelling of the Earth's internal magnetic field, through studies involving certain aspects of the crustal magnetic field, to studies in the effects of variations in the external magnetic field. Initially it is expected that the job-holder will work with data from Ørsted and ground-based stations.
We are seeking to fill this post at post-doc level, but post-graduates with relevant experience are also encouraged to apply. For an informal chat about the work in geomagnetism please contact Susan Macmillan. For further specific details about this job opportunity in BGS please look at the vacancies page on the BGS website at http://www.bgs.ac.uk/personnel/vacs.htm or contact Personnel Section, British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham NG12 5GG, UK.
Susan Macmillan