Panagjurishte Magnetic Observatory

Panagjurishte Magnetic Observatory keeps a continuous watch on the Earth's magnetic field from a hillside site in central Bulgaria, at 556 metres above sea level.

About Panagjurishte Magnetic Observatory

Panagjurishte was the first geomagnetic observatory on the Balkan Peninsula and remains the only one of its kind in Bulgaria. It has recorded absolute measurements of the geomagnetic field since 1937 and today provides real-time variation data and long-term series used by researchers worldwide.

History

The observatory was established in 1937 and has operated continuously since, making it one of the longest-running geomagnetic monitoring stations in the region. It works in cooperation with Bulgaria's National Institute of Geophysics, Geodesy and Geography, and has partnered with the German research centre GFZ since 2005.

Telescopes & research

Rather than telescopes, Panagjurishte houses precision magnetometers that track the strength and direction of the Earth's magnetic field. It is a member of INTERMAGNET, the global network of standardised geomagnetic observatories, and contributes its data to international geophysical research.

Location & getting there

The station sits at 556 m elevation near Panagyurishte in central Bulgaria, in the country's mountainous interior.

Visiting Panagjurishte Magnetic Observatory

As a specialist geophysical research station, Panagjurishte does not advertise public visiting hours. Check with the National Institute of Geophysics, Geodesy and Geography for current access information before visiting.

See your named star from here

Panagjurishte's instruments are tuned to the planet beneath our feet rather than the stars above, but central Bulgaria's clear inland nights are still worth looking up at. Name a star to mark this part of the world, or explore other night-sky destinations via our observatories page and star catalogue.