Hyderabad :

A four-day workshop on geomagnetism and aeronomy kickstarted at the National Institute of Geophysical Research (NGRI) on Monday. The workshop, which would continue till October 16, is being hosted by NGRI in association with International Association of Geomagnetism and Aeronomy, Mumbai. Several scientists from across the globe are participating in the workshop.

The event is held once in every two years in different magnetic observatories across the globe. This year, the event was organised on a large scale at NGRI, commemorating the golden jubilee of their geomagnetic observatory that was launched in 1965.

“This is the last time we are operating the geomagnetic observatory here. We have shifted the base to Choutuppal where we have established a new set-up,” said Kusumita Arora, senior scientist, adding that geomagnetic observatory should ideally be located in a place which is away from disturbances like traffic. “Sometimes, even the use of a mobile phone can alter the signals. With the ongoing Metro construction, it has become increasingly difficult for us to record the waves accurately. Hence, we have shifted the base to Choutuppal,” she added.

Pavel Hedja, director of the Academy of Sciences, Czech Republic, who is here to participate in the workshop, said: “We have gone to the Choutuppal observatory and took the measurements of the geomagnetic signals there. In the coming days of the workshop, we will be comparing and studying the behaviour of these signals. “We have to constantly record the geomagnetic waves to constantly keep a check on the geomagnetic storms, which are not so common in India,” he added.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Express News Service / October 14th, 2014