Location: situated at an altitude of 1300 m above sea level, in the foothills of the Tien Shan Mountains, approximately 10 km from Almaty. Geographic coordinates: [43.10ºN; 76.57ºE], geomagnetic coordinates of the observatory: [34.3ºN; 152.7ºE].

Functions: continuous monitoring of the geomagnetic field.

Type of equipment used: fluxgate magnetometer LEMI-008, portable single-component magnetometer LEMI-203, processor-based Overhauser sensor POS-1. This equipment complies with modern international standards. At the end of 2005, the “Alma-Ata” Geomagnetic Observatory received a quality certificate from the international organization INTERMAGNET.

Observed parameters and their units of measurement:

Three components of the geomagnetic field vector: X (directed to geographic north), Y (directed east, perpendicular to the X-axis), and Z (directed upward) — unit: nT (nanotesla); vector field amplitude F — unit: nT. Measurements are carried out in accordance with the INTERMAGNET guidelines and standards.

Measurement frequency:

Variational measurements of the XYZ components of the geomagnetic field are carried out at a frequency of 1 second, and F is measured every 5 seconds. One-minute XYZF files are generated from the second-by-second data in real time. Absolute geomagnetic field measurements are conducted two to three times per week.

Access of other users to the obtained information:

The INTERMAGNET website (www.intermagnet.org) provides access to one-minute geomagnetic field variation data (XYZF components) since 2004, available upon request. The “Alma-Ata” Geomagnetic Observatory has records of the geomagnetic field condition dating back to 1964. until 2003. (Hourly mean values of HDZF variations), since 2003. Currently, second and minute XYZF variation data is available upon request. The website of the Ionosphere Institute provides access to minute and hourly XYZF data and geomagnetic activity k-index values for the period from 2003 to the present. Access is open.