Yellowknife Magnetic Observatory

Yellowknife Magnetic Observatory is a geomagnetic monitoring station in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada, operated by the Geological Survey of Canada.

About Yellowknife Magnetic Observatory

Unlike an astronomical observatory built around telescopes, this facility measures Earth's magnetic field. It sits above 60° magnetic latitude, inside the auroral oval, giving it a key role in geomagnetic activity monitoring and aurora forecasting.

History

A predecessor observatory operated at the site from July 1957 to August 1958, during the International Geophysical Year (IGY). The current facility was established in June 1989, and its CANMOS (Canadian Magnetic Observatory System) instrumentation was installed in mid-1991.

Location & getting there

The observatory is located in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada, at approximately 62.48°N, 114.48°W — a high-latitude setting that also makes it a strong spot for viewing the aurora.

Visiting Yellowknife Magnetic Observatory

As a scientific monitoring station, public access is likely limited. Check with the Geological Survey of Canada or Natural Resources Canada for current visitor information before planning a trip.

See your named star from here

Yellowknife's high latitude and dark, aurora-lit skies make it a remarkable place to look up. If you've named a star with us, its coordinates can help you and a local guide find it in the same sky that lights up with the northern lights here. Name a star or browse the catalogue of stars already named.