Characterization of the Effects of Temperature and Instrument Drift in Long-Term Comparative Geomagnetic Vector Observations

Abstract

In order to minimize interruptions to recording, geomagnetic observatories usually use a back-up instrument operating simultaneously with the primary instrument in order to obtain comparative observations. Based on the correction parameter calculation method established in the previous work, we focused on the effects of temperature and instrument drift on the comparative geomagnetic vector observations. The linear influence of temperature on the comparative data was shown to be variable. The relative temperature coefficient changed around the temperature inflection point and showed a V-type distribution in a scatter plot. This conclusion was verified in laboratory experiments. The long-term time drift between the comparative instruments exhibits a linear pattern, and the fitness of the correction model can be evaluated by the degree to which the residual distribution of the fitted straight line conforms to the normal distribution. However, the absolute value of the long-term time drift between variometers with the same type of probe is very small. Therefore, long-term time drift correction should be carried out with care. The associated analysis and conclusions have the potential to benefit data agreement correction of long-term comparative geomagnetic vector observations and comparative testing of the performance of vector instruments.

Keywords

• geomagnetism
• comparative observations
• relative temperature coefficient
• instrument drift