Earth  Planets and Moons  ID: 10682

Magnetometry 101

Released on November 19, 2010
NASA satellites use very sensitive devices called magnetometers to measure the magnetic fields of planets. Like very sensitive compasses, these devices can measure both direction and strength of planetary magnetic fields.
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Learn more about how magnetometry works!

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Fluxgate magnetometers are a specific type of magnetometer used on many NASA missions. Learn how one works here!

For complete transcript, click here.

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This animation shows how a magnetometer is used on a satellite to measure a planetary magnetic field.
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This silent animation depicts how a fluxgate magnetometer works.
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This animation decpicts how three fluxgate magnetometers can be used to get a three-dimensional measurement of a magnetic field.
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This animation shows how iron filings can be used to reveal the magnetic field around a bar magnet. It also shows how a compass can be used to infer the magnetic field around the magnet.

Credits

Walt Feimer (HTSI): Lead Animator
Chris Smith (HTSI): Animator
Chris Smith (HTSI): Video Editor
Chris Smith (HTSI): Producer
Chris Smith (HTSI): Writer
Please give credit for this item to:
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center

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http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/10682

This item is part of this series:
Narrated Movies

Keywords:
SVS >> HDTV
DLESE >> Narrated
NASA Science >> Earth
NASA Science >> Planets and Moons