8.2. INTERMAGNET Participation Policy
INTERMAGNET is a global near real-time network of absolute geomagnetic observatories with a common data quality standard and common data publication platforms. Observatories wishing to become a member of the INTERMAGNET one-minute data network are required to submit an application to the IMO Applications and Standards Subcommittee chair that demonstrates that the INTERMAGNET requirements on data quality and data delivery are currently being and will continue to be met. Applications are assessed by the INTERMAGNET Operations Committee against a set of documented standards and the Committee will recommend that the chair of the INTERMAGNET Executive Council accepts the application if:
The institute abide by the INTERMAGNET Principles and Conditions (Section 1.4).
The observatory is meeting and will continue to meet the documented standards on data quality and data formats.
The observatory transmits and will continue to transmit data in near real-time to the INTERMAGNET network.
If using satellite communication, the institute must keep its DCPs operating within allotted transmission time ‘windows’. Upon receipt of notification from a Geomagnetic Information Node (GIN) that a DCP is transmitting outside of its allotted time window, the responsible Institute agrees to stop the transmission or correct the timing of transmission within 24 hours.
The observatory will submit definitive data and accompanying files for publication in the INTERMAGNET data set every year.
The institute must communicate any instrument or practice change to the IMO Applications and Standards Subcommittee chairman.
The INTERMAGNET Operations Committee will continually assess the near real-time data delivery and submitted annual definitive data from participating observatories against the definition of near real-time and data quality standards for one-minute definitive data in the INTERMAGNET Technical Manual.
It is recognised that any near real-time network is potentially subject to temporary operational issues leading to a degradation of data quality or loss of data. If required, the INTERMAGNET Operations Committee may be able to offer advice or technical support to resolve such problems. However, an observatory that is not able in the long-term to meet the data delivery and/or data quality specifications defined in the Technical Manual may ultimately have INTERMAGNET status withdrawn.
For operational purposes, INTERMAGNET may occasionally need to modify data formats or the method of data delivery but these changes will not be applied retrospectively.
8.2.1. Observatory Application to the INTERMAGNET Network
Observatories intending to join the INTERMAGNET network are requested to submit an application and sample data to the IMO Applications and Standards Subcommittee chair using the application form on the INTERMAGNET web site. The application will then be reviewed by the INTERMAGNET Operations Committee against the standards defined in the Technical Manual. If these standards are met, and once near real-time data are being transmitted to the network, the INTERMAGNET Executive Council chair will communicate to the observatory that the application was successful and that the observatory is now able to participate as an INTERMAGNET observatory. Observatories are accepted into INTERMAGNET on the condition that the data quality and data delivery standards will continue to be met.
Applications may be rejected on the grounds that the data quality or data delivery standards are not judged to have been met, in which case the Operations Committee will communicate this and the reason for the decision to the observatory making the application. There is no restriction on re-application.
8.2.2. Ongoing Participation in the INTERMAGNET Network
On a regular basis, the Operations Committee will monitor the delivery of one-minute, near real-time data of all participating observatories against the requirements outlined in the Technical Manual.
Where an observatory does not transmit near real-time, one-minute data to the INTERMAGNET network for a continuous period of one-year, this will be considered to be a breach of the INTERMAGNET data delivery requirements and the observatory will be notified of the breach by the Operations Committee.
The Operations Committee will also assess definitive data submitted for inclusion in the INTERMAGNET Reference Data Set (IRDS) against the data quality standards for one-minute data as defined in the Technical Manual. The deadline for submission of definitive data will be communicated by the Operations Committee in advance and sufficient time will be provided for final processing following the year end. In the case where data not judged to meet the data quality standards or where the data formats do not comply with those defined in the Technical Manual, the Operations Committee will establish a communication with the observatory to resolve the issue.
Where no definitive data have been submitted prior to the submission deadline, this will be considered to be a breach of the INTERMAGNET data delivery requirements and the observatory will be notified of the breach by the Operations Committee.
Where definitive data have been submitted, but where data quality or format issues have not been resolved prior to the INTERMAGNET data publication date, definitive data will not be published under the assigned INTERMAGNET DOI, this will be considered to be a breach of the INTERMAGNET data quality requirements and the observatory will be notified of the breach by the Operations Committee.
8.2.3. Withdrawal of INTERMAGNET Status
Under certain circumstances and on the recommendation of the INTERMAGNET Operations Committee, the INTERMAGNET Executive Council chair may withdraw INTERMAGNET status from a participating observatory. An Operations Committee recommendation of withdrawal will be made if a participating observatory:
Does not respond to a communication from the Operations Committee notifying that the observatory has breached INTERMAGNET standards or
Does not transmit near real-time, one-minute data to the INTERMAGNET network for two consecutive years or
Does not submit or does not have definitive one-minute data accepted for publication for two consecutive years.
Where an observatory has had INTERMAGNET status withdrawn, the observatory will be required to submit a further application to the INTERMAGNET Observatories Subcommittee chair before INTERMAGNET status can be reinstated.