Measurement of the Earth's Magnetic Field at High Altitudes at White Sands, New Mexico

An Aerobee rocket containing a total-field magnetometer was fired, and telemetered data gave a record of the earth's magnetic field during the flight. The recorded decrease in field was 28 milligauss (mG) at 368,000 feet, which agreed with dipole calculations to within 2 mG. This was the first step in an attempt to obtain direct experimental evidence of postulated current-sheets in the upper atmosphere. The flight was intended chiefly as a test of the method and instrumentation, and was made at White Sands because of existing facilities there. The location was unfavorable to the ultimate purpose of the experiment, and no evidence of magnetic fields caused by current-sheets was obtained. The results show, however, that the method is adequate for detection of the predicted effects at more favorable geomagnetic latitudes.