Automatic digital recording of geomagnetic elements by means of a proton precession magnetometer

A simple system of automatic recording of geomagnetic field components by means of a proton vector magnetometer has been built and tested at L'Aquila Geomagnetic Observatory. The instrument is working with the use of a combination of the addition and compensation methods to directly measure absolute values of field components. A sophisticated equipment for the current generation and control is necessary to maintain the current flowing in the Helmholtz coils within 2 A for successive measurements. To maximize the signal coming from the sensor inside the coils for the different components, a simple arrangement of two orthogonal small coils in only one sensor has been made.After two years of experience and improvements the system has been further controlled comparing it with Ruska variometers regularly working in L'Aquila Observatory.Some practical problems found in operating the system are discussed. The automatic hourly mean computation is suggested to produce yearbooks.