Antarctic Riometer and Magnetometer Time Series for Ionospheric Studies

Time-stamped data from 2004 and earlier, collected by the Australian Antarctic Data Centre from riometer and magnetometer stations in the Australian Antarctic Territory and Macquarie Island. The dataset captures 30 MHz cosmic noise intensity and three-component geomagnetic field measurements. Data acquisition was synchronized via GPS for precise millisecond-level timing.

Use Cases

• Analyze ionospheric disturbances by correlating the 'Digital value signal of cosmic noise at 30 MHz' from the riometer with the 'X, Y, Z component' magnetic field vectors.
• Study spatial variations in geomagnetic activity by comparing 'X component' and 'Y component' data across different 'Station' locations.
• Investigate signal propagation delays using the GPS-synchronized, millisecond-resolution timestamps associated with the 'Date' field for multi-site data.
• Model local geomagnetic field behavior using the 'Z component' (vertical) and horizontal component data from the fluxgate magnetometers.

Strengths

• Data collection synchronized to GPS for high temporal precision with one millisecond resolution.
• Magnetometer data is available in both raw and processed formats, with processed data provided as 1-second averages for easier analysis.
• Combines measurements from two distinct instrument types (riometers and magnetometers) at multiple Antarctic stations.

Limitations

• Riometer data consists of 'raw data' only, with calibration limited to a daily 'zero' reference signal.
• The dataset's last update was in 2004, making it temporally stale for contemporary space weather analysis.
• Specific row counts, file sizes, and complete column details for the riometer data are unknown.

Provenance

Source

Australian Antarctic Data Centre (AU_AADC), incorporating ASAC projects 22 and 23.

Collection Method

Collected via an analogue data acquisition system (ADAS) from riometer and fluxgate magnetometer instruments at Antarctic stations.

Time Range

Up to and including 2004.

Freshness

Data appears static, last updated in 2004.

Geography

Australian Antarctic Territory and Macquarie Island stations.