<p><strong>Abstract.</strong> Absolute magnetic measurements are of great importance in magnetic observatories. They allow not only instrument calibration but also data quality checking. They require the vertical and the geographic or true north as reference directions, usually determined by means of a level and by pointing an azimuth mark, respectively. We present here a novel system able to measure the direction of the magnetic field and of the vertical and true north. A design of a north

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... er is proposed taking into account sensor bias as well as misalignment errors. Different methods are derived from this model and measurement results are presented. A measurement test at high latitude is also shown.</p>