The HMO has a research staff with specialisation in areas of geomagnetism, atmospheric physics, ionospheric physics, magnetospheric physics and space plasmas. The research topics we cover are varied and include studies on the variation of the earth’s geomagnetic field and its applications to navigation; the propagation of waves in the various regions of the space environment, their effects and diagnostic information on the propagation media; ionospheric characterisation; space weather in a basic and applied sense; space plasmas; and radio wave propagation. Our approaches are both experimental and theoretical.
In collaboration with its national partners (NWU, UKZN, Rhodes, CDSM), the HMO owns and/or operates a wide suite of earth-space observational and monitoring instrumentation which include various types of magnetometers, ionosondes, an HF radar, ionospheric scintillation and TEC monitors, neutron monitors, imaging riometer, broad-beam riometer, 2 low light auroral video cameras, GPS receivers, WWLLN lightning detectors, VLF receivers and a whistler detector.
These instruments are located in various locations including South Africa, Namibia, Marion Island, Gough Island and the South African Antarctic base SANAE-IV. Through this geographically wide and multi-functional observational network, the HMO contributes earth and space data to various global networks including the International Real-time Magnetic Observatory Network (INTERMAGNET), Digital Ionogram DataBase (DIDBase), Global Assimilative Ionospheric Model (GAIM), Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN), World Wide Lightning Location Network (WWLLN) and International Polar Year Data and Information Service (IPYDIS).
This data is used for research; the determination of key space weather parameters; and the simulation, modelling and forecasting of the earth-space environment.
In this regard, the HMO is also the Space Weather Regional Warning Centre (RWC) for Africa under the International Space Environment Service (ISES). ISES’s mission is to encourage and facilitate near-real-time international monitoring and the prediction of the space environment as well as to assist users to reduce the impact of space weather on activities of human interest.
The HMO also offers technological and innovative services to the public and commercial clients in the defence and aerospace sectors. Our technical division boasts state-of-the-art equipment and infrastructure that includes a non-magnetic climatic chamber, a large (2.5 m) three axis Helmholtz coil, a magnetic shielding chamber, an HMO invented magnetic test bench, DQ declinometers and two 4T30 theodolites. Our technology services include:
- Air navigation and navigation ground support
- Naval system support
- Magnetic system control and navigation
- In-service training
The focus of the Science Advancement Division is to promote awareness and interest in science and technology to a broad audience including young people, educators, the general public and policy-makers. More specifically, the science outreach division focuses on science education, science advancement & communication. The majority of activities are hosted within the HMO Science Centre with an emphasis on informal learning. The HMO’s science outreach programme:
- strives to improve the scientific and technological literacy and awareness of South Africans—primarily learners and educators;
- hosts large numbers of learners from schools in the region (primarily rural/township areas) ;
- runs educator workshops for grade 7 -12 science educators with the objective of improving their understanding and delivery of science concepts;
- hosts regular space science related activities and national events such as National Science Week within the HMO Science Centre;
- encourages more learners and students to pursue studies in science, engineering and mathematics through career guidance and participation in science festivals such as SciFest Africa.
Specific activities that emanate from the HMO’s core functions include:
- the design, installation, maintenance, operation and upgrade of a wide observational network consisting of various high-quality scientific instruments.
- the collection, processing, archiving, and distribution of scientific data and value-added data products, both nationally and internationally.
- conducting relevant research to support our mandate and contributing to the definition and implementation of the national agenda for earth-space research.
- the creation, dissemination and exploitation of new information and knowledge and hence contributing to the transformation of South Africa into a knowledge economy.
- initiating and servicing national and international strategic research collaborations and partnerships.
- training students through summer/winter schools, teaching at universities, and supervising higher-degree students.
- the in-service training of personnel of various clients such as the defence force in navigation support and space weather.
- providing services, products and solutions to the defence force and various clients in the defence, aerospace, navigation and communication sectors.
- running science advancement campaigns for young people, school support activities for learners and educators, promoting the understanding and appreciation of science among the public and providing scientific information and decision-making tools for policy-makers.