22 Dec 2010
22 Dec 2010
Georg von Neumayer and geomagnetic research
W. Schröder1, K.-H. Wiederkehr2, and K. Schlegel3
W. Schröder et al.
W. Schröder1, K.-H. Wiederkehr2, and K. Schlegel3
- 1Geophysical Commission, Hechelstraße 8, 28777 Bremen, Germany
- 2Institut für Geschichte der Naturwissenschaften, Universität Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
- 3Copernicus Gesellschaft e.V., Bahnhofsallee 1a, 37081 Göttingen, Germany
- 1Geophysical Commission, Hechelstraße 8, 28777 Bremen, Germany
- 2Institut für Geschichte der Naturwissenschaften, Universität Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
- 3Copernicus Gesellschaft e.V., Bahnhofsallee 1a, 37081 Göttingen, Germany
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Received: 08 Sep 2010 – Revised: 14 Nov 2010 – Accepted: 30 Nov 2010 – Published: 22 Dec 2010
Abstract. Neumayer was a prominent figure in the development of geophysics in the 19th century from a scientific as well as from an organisational point of view. In this paper we review and highlight his activities and efforts in geomagnetic research within five different aspects of geomagnetism: regional geomagnetic surveys, geomagnetic work in German naval observatories, geomagnetic investigations during the First Polar Year 1882/83, modifications of the Gaussian theory, and geomagnetic charts. In each field Neumayer was a researcher, a thinker, and a stimulating coordinator.
