Researchers from Brazil’s National Space Research Institute (INPE),in partnership with other Latin American institutions, are working to install a network of magnetometers to measure the intensity of the Earth’s magnetic field across South America.

The study will primarily investigate the specific characteristics of magnetic field disturbances over South America and compare their intensities with those occurring in other parts of the world.

It will also study the possible damage done by space weather to electronic appliances.

Researchers plan to install 20 new Embrace Magnetometer Network for South America (Embrace MagNet) systems across Latin America, including Mexico, by around 2022.

“We’re interested in seeing how Earth’s magnetic field varies when solar explosions occur and magnetic clouds reach Earth.”

The network will include 24 magnetometers across 16 Brazilian states and Argentina, Chile and Uruguay. Researchers have already installed 13 magnetometers.

INPE space and atmospheric sciences head Clezio Marcos De Nardin said: “The project is designed to study daily variations in the dynamics of the upper atmosphere [mesosphere and thermosphere] and the electrodynamics of the ionosphere at low latitudes and the equatorial region.

“We’re interested in seeing how Earth’s magnetic field varies when solar explosions occur and magnetic clouds reach Earth.”

The design, installation and maintenance of Embrace MagNet will be hosted by INPE and supported by a thematic project by the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP).

The National Council for Scientific and Technological Development, Brazil’s Ministry of Education’s Office for Faculty Development, the Brazilian Innovation Agency and the Goiás State Research Funding Agency have also provided funding.

The research project has detected a fourth layer in the ionosphere, known as F4, the outermost layer located 350km above the Earth’s surface.