Geomagnetism

The Fürstenfeldbruck Geomagnetic Observatory (IAGA code: FUR) is a globally recognized reference station for monitoring the Earth's magnetic field. As part of the international INTERMAGNET network, the Munich Earth Observatory (MEO) provides high-precision real-time data that is essential for research into the Earth's core, navigation, and space weather forecasting. With a measurement series dating back to 1840, the facility continues one of the most valuable geophysical data series in the world, combining historical continuity with cutting-edge basic research.

Geomagnetic observatories track long- and short-term changes in the Earth's magnetic field at selected locations around the world.
The Geomagnetic Department of the MUNICH EARTH OBSERVATORY is also known worldwide as the ERDMAGNETISCHES OBSERVATORIUM FÜRSTENFELDBRUCK. The International Association of Geomagnetism and Aeronomy (IAGA) of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG), which is a member institution of the International Council for Science (ICSU), has given our observatory the international code FUR.
Geomagnetic observatories track long- and short-term changes in the Earth's magnetic field at selected locations around the world. Their measurement data is not only extremely important for Earth and space sciences, but also has applications in medical and biological research. The data is also widely used in the search for ore and oil deposits, in cartography, and in navigation.
The Munich Earth Observatory is responsible for continuously measuring the Earth's magnetic field at the Fürstenfeldbruck location. This site is far enough away from the busy city of Munich and industrial areas, where artificial magnetic interference fields would significantly disrupt the measurements. The geological subsoil near Fürstenfeldbruck is particularly suitable for measuring the main magnetic field generated in the Earth's core. Measurements in Fürstenfeldbruck began in 1939 and are a continuation of measurements taken in Maisach (1927–1932) and Munich (1840–1926). This allows the Munich Earth Observatory to continue one of the oldest and most valuable series of geomagnetic measurements.

Our observatory fulfills several tasks:

• Using state-of-the-art instruments and methods, changes in the Earth's magnetic field can be measured reliably with absolute accuracy and the highest possible temporal resolution.
• Basic research using our own magnetic field data or data measured by others, and acquisition of the necessary research funding (third-party funding).
• Sharing our expertise in the field of magnetic field measurement through international scientific collaborations, public relations work, and university teaching.

Measurements of the strength and direction of the Earth's magnetic field are taken every second with high accuracy. The measurement data is forwarded online every 10 minutes to global data centers and Bavarian and international institutions. FUR is a member of INTERMAGNET (INTErnational Real-time MAGnetic observatory NETwork).
The Munich Earth Observatory is part of the Chair of Geophysics at the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences.

Further reading

Gilder, S.A. and Wack, M.R. and Kronberg, E.A. and Prabhu, A. (2019), Solar cycle variations in differential instrumental responses from ground‑based geomagnetic records , pp. 71-83, Cambridge University Press, ISBN: 978-108-41848-5, Editors: Mandea, M. and Korte, M. and Yau, A. and Petrovsky, E., doi: 10.1017/9781108290135.