Magnetic work of the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey from July 1, 1947 to June 30, 1949

Abstract

The vital role of geomagnetism in the commerce and affairs of men is a familiar story to readers of these Transactions and need not be stressed here. Observations made in this field are basic to several vital functions of modern life. An effective program to meet these and related needs calls for long‐range coordination of work over a vast area, and hence for the direction and participation of a technically qualified staff devoted specifically to this activity. For the United States and its dependencies, this responsibility is included among those historically assign to the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey in connection with its basic task of providing the navigator and airman with the charted data essential for navigation. The magnetic work and associated research activities are explicitly recognized in the organic act describing the Survey's functions [see 80 U. S. Code 373, Sec. 3].