The Geophysical Observatory in Sodankylä, Finland – past and present

• Published in: History of Geo- and Space Sciences
• Main Author: T. Bösinger
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Copernicus Publications 2021
• Subjects: Science; Q; Geology; QE1-996.5; Dynamic and structural geology; QE500-639.5; Physics; QC1-999; Geophysics. Cosmic physics; QC801-809; Sodankylä
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-12-115-2021; https://doaj.org/article/2d8cd5f2d97342a0a59f8600b108fab4

After a preface, we will first try to depict the history of the Geophysical Observatory in Sodankylä (SGO) by referring to the personalities who have run and have shaped the observatory. Thereafter, we describe the history from a technical point of view, i.e., what the measurements were, and which instruments were primarily used at the observatory. We will also refer to present operational forms and techniques. We start with the very first systematic meteorological and geophysical observations made in Finland and end by referring to the involvement in ongoing international scientific programs.