Hartebeesthoek Magnetic Observatory

Hartebeesthoek Magnetic Observatory is a geomagnetic recording station about 55 km west of Pretoria, South Africa. Since 1972 it has monitored the strength and rapid changes of the Earth's magnetic field in the region.

About Hartebeesthoek Magnetic Observatory

The observatory is one of four INTERMAGNET geomagnetic observatories in Southern Africa, alongside Hermanus, Keetmanshoop, and Tsumeb. It shares its site with the separate Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory, though the two are distinct facilities with different purposes.

History

The magnetic recording station was established in 1972 and has since become part of the international INTERMAGNET network of geomagnetic observatories, contributing continuous measurements of the Earth's magnetic field and its rapid fluctuations.

Location & getting there

The observatory is located roughly 55 km west of Pretoria, South Africa, on the same site as the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory, though it operates as a separate facility focused on geomagnetism rather than radio astronomy.

Visiting Hartebeesthoek Magnetic Observatory

As a scientific monitoring station rather than a visitor attraction, check with the operating authority or local astronomy contacts before planning a trip; public tours are more commonly offered at the neighbouring radio astronomy site.

See your named star from here

Precision measurement runs deep at Hartebeesthoek: the neighbouring radio telescopes there can be pointed at exact sky coordinates, including the right ascension and declination of a star named through Star Register. Find your star in the catalogue.