Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory

SGO’s situational awareness center produces and provides real-time information about the atmosphere, sun, solar wind, and space conditions continuously without interruptions day and night throughout the year.

The longest uninterrupted data measurement set is over 100 years long (since 1914) and it consists of fluctuations in the geomagnetic field. SGO has many in-house developed and built measurement instruments as well as other instruments which are operated through research cooperation. The wide range of measurement devices and networks allow for the unique possibility for a diverse and modern monitoring of the changes in the geoenvironment and space, top-tier research, and producing services for society.

Together with the permanent continuous measurements, SGO organises campaign observations and measurements (VLF, drones and cameras), and maintains guest observations such as the infrasound receiver and meteor radar. In the near-future the measurements will expand to orbits with the LappiSat satellite and space programme.

The Observatory has developed strong research capabilities throughout the decades from the research themes related to the geo- and space environments. The Observatory operates in a large-scale international cooperation, and coordinates for example the thematic network Arctic Space Hub.

Geomagnetic and cosmic ray measurements have enabled the first Finnish space science oriented Centre of Excellence ReSoLVE that was established in 2014 along with the Centre of Excellence in Inverse Problems.

The results of the Observatory are published in highlevel scientific publications and are presented regularly in scientific meetings across the world. The people of the Observatory participate actively in teaching activities, organising summer and winter schools, and in societal discussion.

The Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory has been conducting continuous surveying since 1914.

Data products can be found on our website

Introduction of the research unit

Introduction of the Observation Unit

The Operational Unit is responsible for the real-time presentation of SGO measurements in the situational awareness center. To this end, the unit cooperates with the Observation Unit and the Technical Unit.

The Technical Unit is responsible for the technical laboratory of the observatory, for the maintenance of the equipment of the observatory in all respects related to the activities of the observatory or agreed upon by the observatory for the management of guest instruments.

The Technical Unit performs the technical, control and maintenance tasks related to ensuring the continuous uninterrupted operation of the observatory.

The Technical Unit performs equipment development work and builds instruments as needed.

Other staff

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