Science Report
Date: December 12, 2012
Written by: Paula Crock
Magnetic Anomaly
Summary: On 8 December, Habib and Lisa were practicing orienteering with both handheld gps and compass and noticed that around 300 m north of the Hab at roughly 518321 4251140, there was some sort of magnetic interference within the hillside that pulls the compass needle towards the west. Habib also checked using the compass on his mobile phone with the same result and noted that the Sand Dunes in Southern CO exhibit similar magnetic activity. Both walked about a 20 meter long arc and noticed movement of the needle towards a definite point, suggesting this magnetic anomaly is relatively small. It is perhaps some sort of magnetized, ferrous rock within the hill.
On December 10 Commander Reynolds and Dan returned to the area to try and map out its location. They determined the magnetic anomaly detected on EVA Sol 8 was most likely the result of an instrumentation failure / operator error. They were not able to replicate the movement of the compass needle. They also checked for magnetic EMF from their suit backpacks, but there was no discernible change in the compass heading.
Objectives: Map magnetic anomaly discovered on 8 December
Results: Magnetic anomaly effect determined to be due to instrument failure / operator error not due to actual magnetic object at that location.
Plan forward: N/A