A correlation technique for magnetometer zero level determination.

A new technique for establishing spacecraft magnetometer zero levels is proposed. The method, evolved primarily for the reduction of interplanetary magnetic field data, relies on the existence of fluctuations of the field direction within the chosen coordinate system. Calibrations are corrected to establish zero correlation between simultaneous fluctuations in measured field magnitude and direction relative to a given axis. The absolute accuracy and reproducibility of the method is demonstrated by the results of an analysis of data from the two HEOS spacecraft. The technique should also be applicable to the analysis of magnetic field measurements from air- or sea-borne magnetometers.