Dalat Magnetic Observatory

Dalat Magnetic Observatory sits in the highlands of Da Lat, Vietnam, monitoring the planet's ever-shifting magnetic field around the clock. It is one of a global network of stations that track how Earth's magnetism behaves near the equator. Though it studies invisible forces rather than starlight, its remote, elevated setting places it under some of Vietnam's clearest night skies.

About Dalat Magnetic Observatory

Dalat Magnetic Observatory is a geomagnetic monitoring station operated by Vietnam's Institute of Geophysics, part of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, in collaboration with the Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris. Rather than tracking stars and planets, it records continuous variations in Earth's magnetic field from its position near the equator, making it a valuable node for studying the equatorial electrojet, a powerful electric current that flows high above this part of the globe.

History

The observatory reopened in April 2011 after a period of inactivity and was accepted into INTERMAGNET, the international real-time network of geomagnetic observatories, in October 2012. Since then it has fed continuous data into the Paris Geomagnetic Information Node, giving researchers around the world access to conditions recorded at this equatorial station.

Instruments & research

The site includes a variation room housing a continuously recording vector magnetometer and a scalar magnetometer, plus a separate absolute measurement room used to calibrate the readings. Data is released at both one-second and one-minute resolution, supporting studies of rapid geomagnetic fluctuations as well as longer-term trends unique to Vietnam's equatorial latitude.

Location & getting there

The observatory is located in Da Lat, in Vietnam's Central Highlands, a hill town known for its cool climate and forested terrain. Its inland, elevated position in the Asia region contributes to the stable conditions needed for continuous magnetic recording.

Visiting Dalat Magnetic Observatory

As a working scientific monitoring station rather than a public attraction, Dalat Magnetic Observatory is not generally set up for casual visitors. Anyone hoping to arrange a visit should contact the Institute of Geophysics or check with local research partners before travelling.

See your named star from here

Dalat Magnetic Observatory itself is built for magnetism, not stargazing, but the coordinates behind a symbolically named star work anywhere with a clear sky. If you name a star through star-register.eu, you receive its exact right ascension and declination, which any telescope operator near Da Lat, or anywhere else, can use to find it. Browse the full night sky in our star catalogue.