Visualising geomagnetic data by means of corresponding observations (Q1944356)

In an elaborate chronicle, the authors describe how, inspired by Alexander von Humboldt, Carl Friedrich Gauss together with the physicist Wilhelm Weber set up and perfected a Europe-wide net of stations that allowed for synchronous corresponding observations of geomagnetism. It is stressed that this method became so significant because Gauss made the data visible by ``pictorial illustrations that could convince any viewer''. One finds a detailed depiction of Gauss' activities in relationship with his pupils and with other prominent scientists. In this context, the cooperation with the physicist Wilhelm Weber takes much room. As long as Weber worked together with Gauss in Göttingen, this place was the main center of geomagnetic research. One learns that, after Weber's dismissal from his post as physics professor in 1837 (he was one of the Göttingen Seven) and his departure to Leipzig in 1843, Göttingen had lost its significance as a research center in this field in less than 10 years. Concluding this part, it is stated that the fifth volume of the complete edition (Gauss-Werke) including this physical work of Gauss suffers from a large number of editorial errors. Some of them are described in detail. In a second, briefer, part the authors turn to the work of Adolph Theodor Kupffer, who was a pupil of Gauss and was in scientific contact with Alexander von Humboldt. It is described how Kupffer together with Ivan Simonov, ``both were professors at the Kazan University'', set up a magnetic observatory at this university. There, regular observations were made from 1828 onwards. After moving to the Academy of Sciences in St. Petersburg, where a magnetic observatory was opened in 1830, Kupffer continued his work on geomagnetism and in 1837 he published the observations made from 1830 onwards ``on the dates agreed with Humboldt''. Furthermore, it is reported that in 1833 Kupffer went to Göttingen in order to become familiar with the new observation methods and instruments developed by Gauss and Weber. As a consequence, Kupffer, after becoming appointed Professor of Geomagnetism and Meteorology at the newly founded Institute of the Corps of Mining Engineers at St. Petersburg, could achieve that this institute and all other magnetic observatories in Russia worked with these methods and instruments. Finally, the persisting contacts to Göttingen and subsequently to Weber in Munich and other activities of Kupffer are described.