The triaxial magnetometers on DMSP spacecraft measure the magnetic field. This field has three sources: (1) the magnetic field from the solid Earth, (2) the magnetic field from electrical currents flowing in the ionosphere and magnetosphere, and (3) the magnetic field from the spacecraft. Measurement of source 2 is the principal objective of the SSM, measurement of source 1 is a secondary objective, and measurement of source 3 is a nuisance which is eliminated from the data as much as possible during data processing.
Point of Contact: K. Martin (kevin.martin@bc.edu)
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