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Proton magnetometers detect changes in magnetic fields by detecting proton activity and are used in various applications, including archeology, mineral exploration, ship navigation, and space exploration. They can identify ferrous materials and are often used to locate wrecks and other objects. They can also provide information about planets and other formations in space.
A proton magnetometer or proton precession magnetometer is a device that can measure changes in a magnetic field by detecting the activity in protons. These devices are used in a number of applications on Earth and also in space exploration. Using a proton magnetometer, ferrous materials can be identified, as they affect the surrounding magnetic field, in turn activating the sensitive proton magnetometer. Such devices can be connected to a magnetograph which provides a printed output of the changes in the magnetic field being studied.
One application of the proton magnetometer is in archeology. Ferrous materials have been exploited by many human societies throughout history and sites of archaeological interest can be identified by searching for such materials. Human activities that people may not immediately associate with ferrous materials such as ceramic glaze development and agriculture can also generate variations in the Earth’s magnetic field that act as telltale signs of human activity.
These devices are also used in mineral exploration to identify sites of interest. Ferrous materials alone can be valuable and can also be combined with other materials that may be of interest to a mining company. In this case, the proton magnetometer can be used to reduce the guesswork involved in exploring a site believed to contain materials of interest.
Ships may be fitted with a proton magnetometer for navigational safety, as it is possible to collide with wrecks and other ferrous objects and be damaged. People who are looking to locate wrecks for salvage, recreational diving and other activities also use these devices in their work. The level of sophistication of the device varies, depending on the use for which it was designed. The highly sensitive versions can be quite expensive, reflecting the more complex engineering involved in their development.
Earth isn’t the only place where a proton magnetometer can be useful. Spacecraft such as probes are often equipped with proton magnetometers so they can collect data about the planets and other formations they pass through. This information can be combined with other information collected by the spacecraft to provide researchers with more information about objects in space and the history of space. The composition of soils and atmospheres is also a topic of interest among researchers interested in identifying life in other corners of the universe.
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