Hurbanovo Magnetic Observatory

In the town of Hurbanovo in southern Slovakia stands one of Europe's longest-running geomagnetic research stations, the Hurbanovo Magnetic Observatory, still recording the slow drift of Earth's magnetic field more than a century after it first opened.

About Hurbanovo Magnetic Observatory

The observatory is a national institution dedicated to monitoring variations in Earth's magnetic field. It was previously known under the historical names Ógyalla and Stará Ďala, reflecting the town's changing borders and administrations over the twentieth century.

History

The observatory was founded on 30 September 1900 by Dr. Miklós Konkoly-Thege. It has operated continuously through changes of country and name, building one of the longest magnetic data records in the region.

Instruments & research

Hurbanovo performs continuous recording of the geomagnetic field alongside absolute measurements taken twice a week. Its instrumentation includes a torsion photoelectric magnetometer (TPM), a three-axis fluxgate sensor (Magson), a DI-flux theodolite of the Lemi type, and a proton precession magnetometer (Elsec 820). In 1998 the observatory joined INTERMAGNET, the international network of magnetic observatories that shares standardised, real-time geomagnetic data.

Location & getting there

The observatory sits in Hurbanovo in southern Slovakia, part of the wider Nitra region. The site's coordinates place it close to the Danube lowlands, an area long associated with scientific observation in this part of Central Europe.

Visiting Hurbanovo Magnetic Observatory

Visits to the site are ticketed (entry carries a fee), and the observatory can be reached by phone for enquiries. For current opening times and how to arrange a visit, check the official website before travelling.

See your named star from here

Hurbanovo's work is geomagnetic rather than telescopic, so it isn't set up for public stargazing sessions. If you'd like to actually see a star you've named, name a star with Star Register first, then use the coordinates on your certificate to find it with a stargazing app or at a dedicated public observatory near you. Browse other named stars in our catalogue.