Magnetic inclination
Original title: Inclinação Magnética
Records the measurements of magnetic inclination (dip) taken in Funchal between 1839 and 1906, showing a steady decrease over the period.
It was measured by A. P. de Azevedo and Soulier de Sauve on 25 April 1839, and by the same A. P. de Azevedo together with the officers of the Rattermaker on 20 December 1846. The first observations, made in the Praça Académica (‘academic square’) with the Gambey compass, showed an inclination of 59° 30; the second, made in the churchyard (adro) of the College (Colégio) with the ‘Fox’s Dipping’ and the ‘Intensity Instrument’, gave an inclination of 60º 40.
On 4 February 1872 and 17 July 1873 the officers of the Challenger found inclinations of 56° 14' 1 N. and 55° 12 5 N. respectively. More recently, the distinguished Azorean meteorologist Colonel Francisco Afonso Chaves recorded the following magnetic inclinations: 54° 32' 5 N. on 22 June 1903, and 54° 22'7 N. on 4 June 1906. All these observations were made on the parade ground of the College barracks, and Colonel Chaves used the Abbadie-Brunner compass to determine the inclination.
In this article
Time
Years mentioned · 06-
Azevedo and Soulier de Sauve measured a magnetic inclination of 59° 30' in the Praça Académica, Funchal.
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A. P. de Azevedo and officers of the Rattermaker measured a magnetic inclination of 60° 40' at the Colégio in Funchal.
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Officers of HMS Challenger measured magnetic inclination (56° 14' N) and declination (18°25' W) at Funchal.
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Officers of HMS Challenger took soundings in Funchal Bay and measured magnetic inclination (55° 12' 5 N) and declination (20°33' W) at Funchal.
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Colonel Francisco Afonso de Chaves took magnetic measurements at Funchal, recording a declination of 20°31'30" W and an inclination of 54° 32' 5.
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Colonel Francisco Afonso de Chaves measured magnetic declination (20°36'55" W) and inclination at Funchal.
Place
Places mentioned · 02- College
Funchal. Its forecourt and barracks parade ground were the site of later inclination measurements.
Its forecourt and barracks parade ground were the site of later inclination measurements.
- Praça Académica
Funchal. Site of the first magnetic inclination observations in 1839.
The Praça Académica was a former square in Funchal, laid out on municipal ground in 1836; its construction caused the demolition of the Calhau gate. The first magnetic inclination observations were made there in 1839, and fairs were held there from 1850. It also saw an open-air mass during the royal visit. The Forte de São Pedro stood at its eastern end, the Campo das Loucas lay to the east and the steamer Queen was built east of it.
People
People mentioned · 03-
Observer who measured the magnetic inclination in Funchal in 1839 and again in 1846.
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Azorean meteorologist and colonel who measured the magnetic inclination at the Colégio barracks in 1903 and 1906.
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Took part with A. P. de Azevedo in the 1839 magnetic inclination measurement in the Praça Académica.