Lanzhou Magnetic Observatory

Lanzhou Magnetic Observatory is a geomagnetic monitoring station near Lanzhou in Gansu Province, China, that has tracked shifts in the Earth's magnetic field for over six decades.

About Lanzhou Magnetic Observatory

Unlike a stargazing site, Lanzhou Magnetic Observatory is dedicated to recording the strength and direction of the Earth's magnetic field rather than observing the night sky. Its instruments have included a VM391 IPGP-AD24CUB vector magnetometer, a DI-flux MG2KP, a Geometrics G856 proton magnetometer, a fluxgate vector magnetometer, and a Geomag SM90R Overhauser-effect proton scalar magnetometer.

History

The observatory was founded in 1959 and modernised in 1998 with upgraded instrumentation. Magnetic recordings at the site ceased in April 2019, after the opening of a nearby light-rail line began interfering with the sensitive measurements.

Location & getting there

The observatory sits near Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu Province in northwestern China, a region of mountains and the Yellow River valley.

Visiting Lanzhou Magnetic Observatory

As a scientific monitoring station rather than a public attraction, Lanzhou Magnetic Observatory does not publish general visitor information; anyone hoping to visit should contact the operating institute directly before travelling.

See your named star from here

Even a magnetic-field station sits under the same sky as everyone else. If you name a star with Star Register, you'll get its exact coordinates, which you can use with a stargazing app from anywhere near Lanzhou. Explore our star-naming packages or browse the star catalogue.