|
Titel |
Correction of artificial jumps in the historical geomagnetic measurements of Coimbra Observatory, Portugal |
VerfasserIn |
A. L. Morozova, P. Ribeiro, M. A. Pais |
Medientyp |
Artikel
|
Sprache |
Englisch
|
ISSN |
0992-7689
|
Digitales Dokument |
URL |
Erschienen |
In: Annales Geophysicae ; 32, no. 1 ; Nr. 32, no. 1 (2014-01-27), S.19-40 |
Datensatznummer |
250121017
|
Publikation (Nr.) |
copernicus.org/angeo-32-19-2014.pdf |
|
|
|
Zusammenfassung |
The Coimbra Magnetic Observatory (International Association of Geomagnetism and Aeronomy code COI) in Portugal has a long
history of observation of the geomagnetic field, spanning almost 150 yr
since the first geomagnetic measurements in 1866. These long instrumental
geomagnetic records provide very important information about variability of
geomagnetic elements and indices, their trends and cycles, and can be used
to improve our knowledge on the sources that drive variations of the
geomagnetic field: liquid core dynamics (internal) and solar forcing
(external).
However, during the long life of the Coimbra Observatory, some inevitable
changes in station location, instrument's park and electromagnetic
environment have taken place. These changes affected the quality of the data
collected at COI causing breaks and jumps in the series of geomagnetic field
components and local K index. Clearly, these inhomogeneities, typically
shift-like (step-like) or trend-like, have to be corrected or, at least,
minimized in order for the data to be used in scientific studies or to be
submitted to international databases.
In this study, the series of local K index and declination of the
geomagnetic field are analysed: the former because it allows direct
application of standard homogenization methods and the latter because it is
the longest continuous series produced at COI. For the homogenization,
visual and statistical tests (e.g. standard normal homogeneity test) have
been applied directly to the local geomagnetic K index series (from 1951 to
2012). The homogenization of the monthly averages of declination (from 1867
to 2012) has been done using visual analysis and statistical tests applied
to the time series of the first differences of declination values, as an
approximation to the first time derivative. This allowed not only
estimating the level of inhomogeneity of the studied series but also
detecting the highly probable homogeneity break points. These points have been
cross-checked with the metadata, and the COI series have been compared with
reference series from the nearest geomagnetic stations and, in the case of
declination series, from the recent geomagnetic field model COV-OBS to set
up the required correction factors. As a result, the homogenized series
measured in COI are considered to be essentially free of artificial shifts
starting from the second half of the 20th century, and ready to be used by
the scientific community. |
|
|
Teil von |
|
|
|
|
|
|