Nordlysobservatoriet
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N 69° 39.770 E 018° 56.395
34W E 420108 N 7729620
Tromsø Geophysical Observatory (former name "The Northern Lights Observatory") is located north of Prestvannet at the top of Tromsøya
Waymark Code: WMG2RG
Location: Troms og Finnmark, Norway
Date Posted: 01/05/2013
Views: 12
Tromsø Geophysical Observatory (former name "The Northern Lights Observatory") is located north of Prestvannet at the top of Tromsøya. The observatory was established in 1928, and the first building was opened in 1930. Rockefeller Foundation granted 75,000 dollars to the establishment, and the first director of the observatory was Leiv Harang. From 1972 the observatory is a part of the University of Tromsø.
The long-term monitoring of the Earth's magnetic field is the most demanding of TGO's responsibilities. In Northern Norway, these observations date from 1912 when the Haldde Observatory, near Alta, began measurements; in Southern Norway, a tradition of continual geomagnetic observations started in 1841 by Christiania Observatory is now kept alive by TGO. Today, TGO operates 13 field stations ranged from Ny-Ålesund on Svalbard to Karmøy in Rogaland.
TGO also takes care of monitoring the highest region of the Earth's atmosphere - the ionosphere - with its short-wave radar at Ramfjordmoen just east of Tromsø. This measurement series began in 1932 and is, of its kind, one of the world's oldest.
Both the magnetometers and the short-wave radar - the ionosonde - are parts of global networks of similar instruments. Data are collected in international archives and are publicly available.
TGO also has responsibility for a substantial number of non-Norwegian instruments in the Tromsø area and at the University's Auroral Station in Adventdalen on Svalbard.
Observatory Purpose: Research
Optical / Infrared Telescopes?: No
Radio Telescopes?: Yes
Active Observatory?: Active
Number of Telescopes or Antennas: 6 to 10
Site URL: [Web Link]
Year Dedicated or Opened: 1928
Solar Telescopes?: Not listed
Open to the Public?: Not listed
Is this a Club Observatory?: Not listed
Public Viewing Allowed?: Not listed
Altitude (meters): Not Listed
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Visit Instructions:Note the time of day of your visit, and your own photo of your favorite part of the observatory. This might be the view from the observatory, picture of your favorite building or favorite exhibit. (Be mindful of flash photography rules!)
If you participated in an observing session, let everyone know what you saw!
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