Calibration of Compasses and Magnetometers

National Magnetic Calibration Facility at the Canberra Observatory

The calibration of magnetic direction finding equipment and magnetometers is a service that is available through the geomagnetism program at Geoscience Australia. In the operation of a network of magnetic observatories in Australia and Australian Antarctic Territory, the maintenance of precise and highly accurate magnetometers is a requirement. By comparing clients’ direction finding equipment with observatory standards, corrections to the former can be determined.

Diurnal variations of the background magnetic field are taken into account as these are monitored continuously at the observatories. Relative axis orientations and sensitivity of the magnetometers can be determined by the use of the National Magnetic Calibration Facility at the Canberra Observatory, which houses a well calibrated 3-axis set of large coils. Select the image to view a higher resolution jpg_36k image.

Charges for the calibration services are at standard cost recovery rates.