Tihany Magnetic Observatory

On the Tihany peninsula in Hungary, the Tihany Magnetic Observatory has quietly tracked the Earth's magnetic field for around seven decades, making it one of the region's longest-running geophysical sites.

About Tihany Magnetic Observatory

Unlike a conventional astronomy site, this is a geophysical observatory dedicated to monitoring geomagnetic, paleomagnetic, geothermic and seismologic phenomena, along with space weather effects on the Earth's field.

History

Continuous geomagnetic recording began here in 1955 and has continued ever since, building one of the longer unbroken observational records of its kind in the region.

Telescopes & research

The observatory uses a suspended dIdD system, an instrument design that removes the need for separate fluxgate magnetometers. Its data is published annually through INTERMAGNET in the standard XYZ coordinate system, and the site has at times recorded major solar storms that went unnoticed elsewhere.

Location & getting there

Tihany sits on the shores of Lake Balaton in Hungary, chosen for its magnetically stable, anomaly-free geological setting, with instrument buildings kept free of ferromagnetic materials.

Visiting Tihany Magnetic Observatory

As a specialised scientific monitoring station rather than a public astronomy venue, visiting arrangements should be confirmed directly with the operating institute before travelling.

See your named star from here

Tihany's work is geomagnetic rather than astronomical, so it isn't set up for public stargazing; but the Tihany peninsula's Lake Balaton setting is a lovely place to look skyward. To see a star named through our service, name a star of your own and use our observatory finder to find a stargazing-friendly site nearby.