Brandon Magnetic Observatory

Brandon Magnetic Observatory sits near Brandon, Manitoba, in the North American prairies, where it forms part of Canada's national network for monitoring the Earth's magnetic field.

About Brandon Magnetic Observatory

The station is operated by the Geological Survey of Canada as part of its geomagnetic monitoring program. It carries the international IAGA station code BRD (numeric code 40260) and continuously records variations in the geomagnetic field using CANMOS, the Canadian Magnetic Observatory System, which automates data acquisition around the clock.

History

The observatory was established in 2007, taking over geomagnetic monitoring duties from the earlier Glenlea station.

Location & getting there

Brandon Magnetic Observatory sits at coordinates 49.870°N, 260.026°E, at an elevation of 380 metres in Manitoba, Canada. As a scientific monitoring station rather than a visitor centre, it is set apart from town in open prairie terrain suited to undisturbed magnetic readings.

Visiting Brandon Magnetic Observatory

This is a working scientific facility rather than a tourist attraction, so there is no general public visiting programme. Anyone with a specific interest should check the Geological Survey of Canada's geomagnetism pages for current access information before travelling.

See your named star from here

Even a facility built to study the Earth's own magnetic field sits under the same open Manitoba sky as everyone else. A named star comes with real coordinates you can look up from anywhere nearby with clear, dark conditions — browse the star catalogue to find yours.