UARS PEM VMAG DC: Vector Magnetic Field Measurements

PEM's Vector Magnetometer recorded magnetic fields from -65000 to +65000 nT with 2 nT resolution aboard the UARS spacecraft. Its three orthogonal fluxgate sensors measured the X, Y, and Z components to study charged particles injected into Earth's thermosphere, mesosphere, and stratosphere. Daily files cover a 14-year period from October 1991 to August 2005, with spatial coverage limited to latitudes between -57 and +57 degrees.

Use Cases

• Analyzing magnetic field perturbations in the ionosphere based on three vector components (X, Y, Z)
• Calibrating spacecraft magnetic interference using UARS torquer bar current data
• Studying the distribution of charged particles in the stratosphere and mesosphere based on PEM's measurement mission
• Investigating long-term magnetic field trends from 1991 to 2005 using daily time-series files

Strengths

• Provides high-resolution (2 nT) magnetic field measurements across a wide dynamic range (-65000 to +65000 nT)
• Offers a long temporal record spanning nearly 14 years (October 1991 to August 2005)
• Includes data from three distinct sensor systems (VMAG, Aspect Magnetometers, Torquer Bars) for comprehensive analysis

Limitations

• Column names and exact data structure are unknown, requiring consultation of the format guide
• Spatial coverage is limited to latitudes between -57 and +57 degrees, excluding polar regions
• Data files are in a proprietary network binary format (BIN), which may require specialized tools to read

Provenance

Source

GES_DISC (NASA)

Collection Method

Measured by the Particle Environment Monitor (PEM) instrument's Vector Magnetometer on the UARS spacecraft.

Time Range

October 1, 1991 to August 23, 2005

Freshness

Metadata was last updated on 2026-04-09, but the data collection ended in 2005.

Geography

Latitude range: -57 to +57 degrees (global mid-latitudes)