Visualising geomagnetic data by means of corresponding observations

摘要

Geomagnetic observation data was already being depicted (visualised) in the form of isolines on maps and globes back in the eighteenth century. Corresponding, synchronous observations had already been made in certain astronomical and meteorological areas, but this method yielded singular results in the field of geomagnetism. The observation results were consequently made generally available. It was Alexander von Humboldt who took the first critical steps in establishing this method of corresponding observations in geomagnetic research; Russia was the first cooperative partner. However, the future of geomagnetic research belonged to Gauss, who improved observation methods and instruments as well as making this information available to a wider public in the journal “Resultate aus den Beobachtungen des magnetischen Vereins”. He published the results of corresponding observations in form of pictorial illustrations; this clearly showed who led the field in his day. It was left to Gauss’ pupil Adolph Theodor Kupffer, born in the Baltic area, to make Gauss’ results known in Russia and to promote them; this was particularly important in a time in which Göttingen had already relinquished its status as the centre of geomagnetic research. Russia became the site of the world’s first geomagnetic research institution, i.e. the main geophysical observatory founded in 1849, which still exists today.