We will use these to compare the auroral oval's size with direct measurements of Earth's magnetism (surface field strength and position of the
geomagnetic pole) made since the early 19th century.
Jock, of Kingston-upon-Thames, London, was part of the first unsupported team to trek to the North
Geomagnetic pole. He has also rowed the Atlantic and been world champ in different yachting classes.
The natural light displays occur most frequently in the Polar Regions, centered within a 2500 km radius of the
geomagnetic pole. Sunspots on the Sun's surface are the predominant cause for the appearance of the Northern Lights.
Mr Gauntlett, who was also a keen cyclist, continued to take on extreme challenges and in March 2007, he and Mr Hooper set off on a journey from the North
Geomagnetic Pole to the South Magnetic Pole using entirely human and natural power.
THE
Geomagnetic Pole - 500 miles east of the Magnetic Pole - better indicates the Earth's complex magnetic field.
Ice Warrior project leader Jim McNeill announced the team had completed their expedition and had made it to the
Geomagnetic pole.
The expedition, to the
geomagnetic pole, is now scheduled for the end of March.
The
geomagnetic pole is a mathematically-defined position, which differs from the shifting magnetic north pole - by which compasses are set - and from the poles on which the earth rotates.
Several recent papers point out that the virtual
geomagnetic pole paths coincide with the two high-velocity regions circumscribing the Pacific and, effectively, connect the North and South poles.
A popular misconception is that the northern lights appear strongest right at the
geomagnetic pole. In reality, auroras usually occur in a giant ring roughly 4,000 kilometers (2,500 miles) wide that surrounds each of the
geomagnetic poles.