Charters Towers Magnetic Observatory

Charters Towers Magnetic Observatory has tracked the strength and direction of Earth's magnetic field from inland Queensland since operations began in 1983, forming one node in Geoscience Australia's national geomagnetic network.

About Charters Towers Magnetic Observatory

Operated by Geoscience Australia, the station carries the observatory code CTA and sits at an elevation of about 370 metres. It has been running continuously since 1983 as part of the agency's national network of geomagnetic observatories, which feeds into the wider global observatory network.

Research & monitoring

The station maintains geomagnetic absolute observation records, contributing data that helps track how Earth's magnetic field is changing across the Australian region over time, work used by scientists, navigators and anyone relying on accurate magnetic-declination data.

Location & getting there

The observatory is located in Queensland, Australia, at coordinates roughly 20 degrees 05' S, 146 degrees 16' E, at an elevation of around 370 metres. (Use the map and directions above to plan your route.)

Visiting Charters Towers Magnetic Observatory

This is a working scientific monitoring station rather than a public attraction, so check with Geoscience Australia before planning a visit.

See your named star from here

Charters Towers keeps watch on magnetism rather than starlight, so it isn't somewhere to view your named star directly. Look up your star's coordinates in our catalogue and take them to a public observatory or a dark stretch of Queensland sky instead, or name a star if you haven't yet.