Penteli Magnetic Observatory
Satellite imagery: Esri, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics
On Penteli Mountain, about 18 kilometres northeast of Athens, Greece, the Penteli Magnetic Observatory has quietly recorded the planet's magnetic field since the late 1950s.
About Penteli Magnetic Observatory
Established between 1957 and 1958, the facility was organised by the Institute for Geology and Subsurface Research (IGSR) as a dedicated geomagnetic station. It sits at 38°02'48"N, 23°51'48"E, at an elevation of about 495 metres on the slopes of Penteli Mountain.
Telescopes & research
Rather than pointing telescopes skyward, the observatory conducts magnetic field observations and ionospheric monitoring, contributing long-term data on how Earth's magnetic environment and upper atmosphere change over time.
Location & getting there
Penteli Mountain has long served as a site for scientific instruments thanks to its elevation and distance from the electrical interference of central Athens, a consideration that matters as much for magnetic measurements as for astronomical seeing.
Visiting Penteli Magnetic Observatory
As a scientific monitoring station rather than a public visitor site, access is limited. Check with the operating institute before planning a visit.
See your named star from here
Even a geomagnetic station like this sits under the same sky as everywhere else on Earth. From the Penteli area, a star named with Star Register can be found with its precise coordinates. Explore the catalogue of named stars.
Opening hours and public-visit programs vary by season. Check Google Maps for current times before you travel.
