1.1. Introduction

The Genesis of INTERMAGNET resulted from a convergence of scientific need and emerging technology. The growing interest and importance of space weather fostered a need for “near real-time” magnetic data, and the semi-automation of some of the world’s major networks in the late 1980s made it possible to provide data in a timely fashion. However, no standards or guidelines existed to ensure that, as other observatories converted from analogue to digital recording, their data would be of comparable quality to data from existing automated observatories; nor was there any guarantee that their data would be compatible with data from existing digital systems. INTERMAGNET was founded both to develop standards for the acquisition and transmission of observatory data and to encourage the establishment of digital magnetic observatories in all parts of the world. Although the near real-time transmission of data is a major focus of INTERMAGNET activity, much effort is also spent ensuring that INTERMAGNET observatories provide data of sufficient accuracy to meet the needs of scientists who study the magnetic field of internal origin.

By any measure INTERMAGNET has been a resounding success. In three decades it has grown from a pilot project to an internationally recognized organization that includes approximately 50 institutes and over 100 observatories. In 2017, more than 9 million observatory-days of data are distributed to users. These are used in a variety of ways: magnetic reference field model production; space weather forecasts; directional drilling; magnetic surveying; and scientific research.

However, user needs change, and to maintain its relevance INTERMAGNET must evolve accordingly. To ensure the continued success of the organization, INTERMAGNET liaises with users to make certain that the observatories provide data that meet the needs of all its users, now and into the future.