Kanoya Magnetic Observatory

On Japan's southern island of Kyushu, the Kanoya Magnetic Observatory in Kagoshima has spent decades quietly recording the strength and direction of the Earth's magnetic field as part of the country's national geomagnetic monitoring network.

About Kanoya Magnetic Observatory

Kanoya Magnetic Observatory is a branch observatory of the Kakioka Magnetic Observatory, operated by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). It forms one of a small number of stations nationwide dedicated to continuous geomagnetic and geoelectric measurement.

History

The observatory was established after 1945 as part of the JMA's branch observatory network, and it began contributing systematic geomagnetic field observations during the International Geophysical Year of 1957–1958, building a continuous dataset that now spans more than fifty years.

Telescopes & research

Rather than telescopes, Kanoya's instruments track geomagnetism and geoelectricity around the clock. The station is one of ten worldwide that supply data on sudden commencements of magnetic storms, making it a valuable contributor to global space-weather monitoring.

Location & getting there

The observatory is located in Kagoshima Prefecture, on the southern island of Kyushu, Japan, as part of the JMA's nationwide network of magnetic monitoring stations.

Visiting Kanoya Magnetic Observatory

As a working meteorological monitoring station, Kanoya Magnetic Observatory is not set up as a public attraction. For current access or outreach information, check the Japan Meteorological Agency's official channels.

See your named star from here

Kanoya's instruments track invisible forces with exact coordinates day and night - much like the coordinates behind a Star Register name. Name a star and get its own precise position to explore in our star catalogue, wherever in Kyushu or beyond you happen to be stargazing.