Lunar Surface Magnetometer

Description

The lunar surface magnetometer was part of the ALSEP package and consisted of three fluxgate sensors located on orthogonal 5-ft booms. The sensors were mounted on gimbals allowing their measurement axes to be interchanged for purposes of calibration and site survey. The instrument was designed to measure the moon's magnetic field, and operated in the ranges minus to plus 100, 200, or 400 gammas. It was also expected to yield information about the lunar gross electrical diffusivity, the existence of a molten core, the earth's magnetic tail, and local magnetic anomalies. The instrument measured the magnetic field constantly for about three weeks after deployment, then on the dayside continuously for several months, then on the dayside very intermittently into 1972. For further details, see Dyal and Parkin, JGR, vol 76, p 5947, 1971.