Spectrogram Plots and Magnetic Storminess

This is an activity about using spectrogram plots as an indicator of magnetic activity on Earth. Learners will analyze spectrogram data and compare it to local Kp indices in an attempt to determine global magnetic storminess. This activity uses real data from the THEMIS (Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms) Magnetometer, and requires a computer with Internet access. This is activity 20 in the Exploring Magnetism: Earth's Magnetic Personality teachers guide.

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Source

University of California, BerkeleyLast modified 2005

Audience

Education Level: High school, Higher education:Undergraduate:Non-majors, Higher education:Undergraduate:Majors, lower division, Higher education:Technical (lower)

Topics

Earth and space science:Earth structure:Earth's magnetic field Earth and space science:Solar system:The sun:Solar-terrestrial interactions

Resource Type

Activity, Instructor guide/manual

Learning Time

45 to 60 minutes

Materials Cost