Lunar Surface Magnetometer

The lunar surface magnetometer is one of five instruments in the Apollo lunar surface experiments package (ALSEP). It measures three components of the vector magnetic field in the range 0 to 400¿ with a resolution of 0.2¿ and a frequency response from dc to 3 Hz. This instrument also has a gradient measuring capability, making it an automatic magnetic observatory on the lunar surface. The magnetometer experiment deployed by Astronauts Conrad and Bean on Apollo 12 has measured a steady magnetic field of approximately 36¿ on the lunar surface. During each lunar day-night period the magnetic fields in the geomagnetic tail, transition zone, and interplanetary region are superimposed upon this steady field. Measurements of the induced lunar magnetic field will permit the interior electrical conductivity and temperature to be calculated.