Tucson Magnetic Observatory
Satellite imagery: Esri, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics
Tucson Magnetic Observatory is a geomagnetic monitoring station located in Saguaro National Park, Arizona, on a sandy arid plain near the Rincon Mountain Visitor Center.
About Tucson Magnetic Observatory
Operated by the U.S. Geological Survey's Geomagnetism Program, the observatory is one of 14 USGS magnetic observatories across the United States and its territories. It monitors Earth's variable magnetic field, with data used for geomagnetic mapping, surveying, fundamental scientific research and assessing magnetic storms.
History
The original observatory site was established in 1910, at what is now Morris K. Udall Regional Park. The current site, within Saguaro National Park, was installed in 1996.
Location & getting there
The observatory sits on an arid desert plain within Saguaro National Park, near Tucson, Arizona, in the North America region.
Visiting Tucson Magnetic Observatory
As a scientific monitoring station, it isn't set up as a public visitor attraction, though Saguaro National Park itself is open to the public; check the USGS Geomagnetism Program or the National Park Service for current details.
See your named star from here
Arizona's dark desert skies around Saguaro National Park make for excellent stargazing, ideal for tracking down the coordinates of a named star. Name a star or browse the catalogue.
Opening hours and public-visit programs vary by season. Check Google Maps for current times before you travel.