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Photocell Magnetometer Student Guide

An annotated photo showing what your photocell magnetometer may look like after following this guide.
NASA HEAT/Dr. Sten Odenwald
Levels
  • Introductory (K-5)
Material Type
  • Activity/Hands-on
Heliophysics Big Ideas
  • Big Idea 1.2 – The Sun is active…
NGSS
  • ESS2 - Earth's Systems
Heliophysics Topics
  • Electromagnetism
  • Electromagnetic Spectrum
Heliophysics Missions
  • Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO)
  • Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO)
  • Solar Orbiter
  • Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS)
Material Cost per Learner $1 – $5
Language English

Explains how to build a device using a suspended magnet that is designed to occult two side-by-side photo cells, whose differing electrical output measures the position of the magnet with high accuracy. It has a computer interface and is capable of measuring magnetic changes over 100 times weaker than a soda-bottle system.