A stabilized field sensor apparatus collects
field data, in particular
magnetic field data, with reduced motion
noise. The apparatus includes a tear
drop shaped housing, a tow frame in the housing, a plurality of vibration isolating dampers spaced around the frame, a base
assembly mounted to the dampers, a support pedestal having a bottom end fixed to the base
assembly and an upper free end, a single spherical
air bearing connected to the upper free end of the pedestal, an instrument platform with a lower hollow funnel having an upper inside apex supported on the
air bearing for a one point support, principal and secondary gyro stabilizers for maintaining pivotal and
rotational stability, and at least one field sensor mounted to the instrument platform for collecting the
field data while being stabilized against motion
noise including vibration, pivoting and rotation from the base
assembly, from the tow frame and from the housing. Stabilization of the instrument platform is enhanced by preserving accurate balance through a dynamic balancing
system whereby small masses are moved under
computer control to maintain the
center of mass of the instrument platform at the center of rotation of the spherical
air bearing. The dynamic stabilization process is made more precise by actively vibrating the instrument platform by a set of linear vibrators.