Lonjsko Polje Magnetic Observatory

The Lonjsko Polje Magnetic Observatory sits in the Lonjsko Polje region of Croatia, about 65 km southeast of Zagreb, where it quietly keeps watch over the planet's magnetic field rather than its stars.

About Lonjsko Polje Magnetic Observatory

Unlike most sites on Star Register, this is a geomagnetic facility rather than a telescope-focused observatory. It was established in 2012 and continuously records the intensity and direction of Earth's magnetic field. The station is remotely operated, and its data feeds into international geophysical research.

Location & getting there

The observatory was deliberately sited in an area free of magnetic anomalies caused by ferromagnetic elements in Earth's crust, which is essential for producing clean, reliable readings. It lies in the Lonjsko Polje area of central Croatia, within reach of Zagreb.

Its place in a global network

Since late 2012, the observatory has been part of EMMA, the European quasi-Meridional Magnetometer Array, and it is also a member of INTERMAGNET, the worldwide network of standardised magnetic observatories. Together these networks let scientists compare readings across the continent in real time.

See your named star from here

Because this is a magnetic rather than optical observatory, it is not set up for stargazing visits. If you would like to actually view a named star through a telescope, browse the observatories directory for a site near you, or name a star and use its exact coordinates at any observatory that welcomes visitors.