SGO History

History

• A permanent research station was operated at Sodankylä during the 1st International Polar Year in 1882-1884.
• Finnish Academy of Science and Letters established the observatory in 1913.
• Earth´s magnetic field is measured here since 1914.
• Seismic measurements started at SGO in 1956.
• The Ionospheric station started operations in August 1957.
• In 1971, the Technical Division began their work at SGO.
• The Astronomy Division was doing polar motion observations using a zenith telescope on routine base between 1973 and 1981.
• In 1975, the European Incoherent Scatter Scientific Association (EISCAT) was established, and work at SGO started in 1977.
• In 1978, the EISCAT receiver radar was built at SGO, and the measurements started in 1981.
• In August 1997 the Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory joined the University of Oulu.
• The observatory of the University of Oulu ( (cosmic rays, seismic network and induction coils) operated by Department of Physical Sciences joined SGO in January 1998.

More about historical information about observations can be found in Data Archive > Availability

More detailed information about the SGO history:
Bösinger, T.: The Geophysical Observatory in Sodankylä, Finland – past and present, Hist. Geo Space. Sci., 12, 115–130, https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-12-115-2021, 2021.