Hermanus Magnetic Observatory
The Hermanus Magnetic Observatory (HMO) operates under the National Research Foundation (NRF). The expertise vested in the HMO is of great strategic importance, and its aim is to become a significant player in space and earth sciences, as well as geospatial information.
As early as the year 300, the Chinese were aware of the Earth's magnetic properties and used the Earth's magnetic field for navigation by suspending a piece of loadstone on a fibre to form a simple magnetic compass. South Africa's first magnetic observatory was established in Cape Town in 1932, and moved to Hermanus (a magnetically-clean site) in 1941 to escape the disturbance of electric railways on observations.
The HMO was transferred to the NRF from the CSIR in August 2001 as a result of a study on the future of the observatory, undertaken by Professor Friedel Sellschop of the University of the Witwatersrand. The study emphasised the importance of the HMO as a national asset and suggested that it be made a national facility. High-level human resource training and research capacity building are top priorities in the transformation of the observatory into a national facility. The HMO is expanding its scientific research capacity by:
Redeveloping and expanding past research collaborations;
Re-establishing participation in the South African National Antarctic Research Programme;
Expanding contacts with higher education, particularly with historically black universities;
Participating in South Africa's satellite programme by developing contacts with Stellenbosch University and the Institute for Satellite and Software Applications at Houwteq;
Establishing collaborations with research organisations and universities abroad; and
Encouraging visiting scientists to work at the HMO.
Another important priority for the HMO will be to develop and introduce science awareness programmes, particularly for school children from disadvantaged communities.
The HMO consists of four functional groups:
- The Space Physics group conducts fundamental and applied research of
the Earth’s magnetic field and space environment.
- The Geomagnetism group is responsible for the continuous monitoring of
geomagnetic field variations, modelling of the geomagnetic field, and
providing data, models, and information to users.
- The Technology group provides quality controlled magnetic field and
sensor-related services to clients and carries out contract based research
and development work on a commercial basis.
- The Education and Science Awareness group is responsible for the
development and implementation of science awareness programmes,
particularly for school children.
Website: http://www.hmo.ac.za.
NATIONAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION - INVESTING IN KNOWLEDGE AND INNOVATION
