Atmospheric electricity observations at Eskdalemuir Geophysical Observatory

Harrison, R. Giles; Riddick, John C.

doi:https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-15-5-2024

Articles | Volume 15, issue 1

https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-15-5-2024

© Author(s) 2024. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Special issue:

Atmospheric electrical observatories

https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-15-5-2024

© Author(s) 2024. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Articles | Volume 15, issue 1

Article

|

19 Apr 2024

Article |

| 19 Apr 2024

Atmospheric electricity observations at Eskdalemuir Geophysical Observatory

R. Giles Harrison and John C. Riddick

Data sets

Eskdalemuir ion measurements 1909-1916 R. G. Harrison https://doi.org/10.17864/1947.000523

Eskdalemuir Observatory monthly mean Potential Gradient 1911-1981 R. G. Harrison et al. https://doi.org/10.17864/1947.000506

Lerwick Observatory monthly mean Potential Gradient 1925-1984 R. G. Harrison et al. https://doi.org/10.17864/1947.000505

Global analyses of sea surface temperature, sea ice, and night marine air temperature since the late nineteenth century (https://climexp.knmi.nl/selectindex.cgi) N. A. Rayner et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2002jd002670

Short summary

Eskdalemuir Observatory opened in 1908, sited remotely for magnetically quiet conditions. Continuous atmospheric potential gradient (PG) recordings began in 1911, using a Kelvin water dropper electrograph. Notable scientists who worked with atmospheric electricity at Eskdalemuir include Lewis Fry Richardson and Gordon Dobson. The PG measurements continued until 1981. The methodologies employed are described to help interpret the monthly data now digitally available.