Vassouras Magnetic Observatory
Satellite imagery: Esri, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics
About 200 kilometres inland from Rio de Janeiro, the Vassouras Magnetic Observatory has been tracking Earth's shifting magnetic field for well over a century.
About Vassouras Magnetic Observatory
Vassouras Magnetic Observatory is a geomagnetic research facility in Vassouras, in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. It sits under the influence of the South Atlantic Magnetic Anomaly (SAMA), a region of unusually weak geomagnetic field strength, which makes it a valuable monitoring point.
History
The observatory has operated continuously since 1915, giving it one of the longest unbroken geomagnetic records in South America.
Telescopes & research
Rather than optical astronomy, Vassouras focuses on measuring internal and external geomagnetic fields. It is a member of the INTERMAGNET international programme, and its data supports geomagnetic modelling, geophysical surveys, and horizontal drilling applications.
Location & getting there
Vassouras is located roughly 200 kilometres inland from the city of Rio de Janeiro, in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil.
Visiting Vassouras Magnetic Observatory
As a specialised scientific monitoring facility, it does not appear to run a general public visiting programme. Check with the operating institution for any current access or tour information before travelling.
See your named star from here
While Vassouras is dedicated to geomagnetic rather than optical astronomy, the region's night skies are still a fine place to trace the coordinates of a named star with the right telescope. Name a star or browse the star catalogue.
Opening hours and public-visit programs vary by season. Check Google Maps for current times before you travel.
