EO·Atlas
sensing · methodologies
Satellite magnetometry
Measures Earth's geomagnetic field from orbit using vector and absolute-scalar magnetometers together, as in the Swarm mission class.
Satellite magnetometry measures the geomagnetic field rather than reflected or emitted radiation. A vector magnetometer records field components while an absolute scalar magnetometer stabilises and calibrates the field magnitude; together they form one orbital field-measurement method. The method supports separation of core, lithospheric, and external magnetic-field contributions. For mineral exploration it is a context layer for lithospheric magnetic anomalies and crustal structure, not a direct mineral-identification method and not a separate mineral-specific methodology.
Sources
- [1]Swarm mission, ESA Earth Onlineagency doc2026-06-08Swarm mission overview: constellation, VFM/ASM instruments, orbit configuration, and magnetic-field science objectives.
- [2]Swarm new generation of sensors, ESAagency doc2026-06-08Describes Absolute Scalar Magnetometer and Vector Field Magnetometer roles, including scalar calibration of the vector magnetometer.
- [3]A Comprehensive Model of Earth's Magnetic Field Determined from 4 Years of Swarm Observationspeer reviewed2026-06-08Peer-reviewed CHAOS model paper using Swarm observations to separate core, lithospheric, and external magnetic-field contributions.