Automation of absolute measurement of the geomagnetic field

Abstract

In this paper a device is presented to measure the geomagnetic field vector absolutely and automatically. In contrast to the standard DI-Flux measurement procedure our automation approach is based on the rotation of a three-component fluxgate magnetometer about precisely monitored axes without using a non-magnetic theodolite. This method is particularly suitable for automation because it only requires exact knowledge of the axes orientations. Apart from this, requirements on mechanical precision are moderate. The design of the facility is presented, and mechanical, optical and magnetic limitations are discussed. First promising results of measuring the Earth's magnetic field absolutely and automatically with the new device at Niemegk observatory are discussed. Copyright © The Society of Geomagnetism and Earth, Planetary and Space Sciences (SGEPSS); The Seismological Society of Japan; The Volcanological Society of Japan; The Geodetic Society of Japan; The Japanese Society for Planetary Sciences; TERRAPUB.