Schumann resonance at Nagycenk

Where is Nagycenk observatory?

The station lies near Sopron in western Hungary, close to Lake Fertő. Its published coordinates are 47°38′ N, 16°43′ E; the observatory code is NCK. The current website identifies it as the HUN-REN EPSS Széchenyi István Geophysical Observatory. Official observatory information ^[1].

Our station explorer places it alongside Etna and Tomsk. Nagycenk’s own public Schumann resonance display (opens in a new tab) is the place to inspect its latest published chart. Read the date on the image before interpreting it as current.

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From geophysics to continuous resonance records

The observatory began supplying geophysical data in 1957, during the International Geophysical Year. Its early work included earth-current observations; resonance measurements arrived decades later. Observatory history ^[5].

Antal Ádám and Pál Bencze attempted resonance detection in the 1960s using an L-shaped antenna and a tape recorder. Gabriella Sátori later advanced continuous monitoring. A new ball antenna enabled regular spectral-parameter records from May 1993; magnetic coils followed in 1996. These dates come from the research team’s 2020 historical review, section 3.1 ^[6].

The photograph above shows that ball antenna and a calibration arrangement dated 20 December 2013. The metal sphere senses the electric field; it is not a broadcasting antenna or a device that generates Earth’s resonance. The authors describe a roughly 200 kg assembly designed to reduce mechanical vibration. Calibration applies a known test field so the instrument’s response can be assessed. Bór and colleagues, instrument description and Figure 9 ^[6].

What do the three channels mean?

The display documentation distinguishes three field components:

Swipe or use the arrow keys to see all columns.

Its two additional panels estimate amplitude and frequency for the first three modes from E_Z. Frequency identifies a peak’s position in hertz; amplitude describes its size on the stated scale. They answer different questions. Automatic display technical report ^[7].

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How should I read the public chart?

Start with the timestamp, then identify the component, frequency axis and colour scale. The technical report describes different scales for the two magnetic channels. A brighter colour in one panel therefore does not, by itself, establish a larger physical signal than in the other.

The authors also caution that wind, precipitation and local electrical interference can bias automatic estimates. Quick-look values need quality checks before scientific interpretation. Processing and limitations, pages 36–38 ^[8].

For a practical walkthrough of bands, broad vertical features and gaps, see how to read a Schumann resonance chart. When comparing stations, keep a short checklist: same time interval, same field component, compatible units and documented processing. Our website does not combine Nagycenk’s chart with Tomsk’s numerical A1 series.

Can I download numerical data?

The published workflow describes internal CSV files feeding the chart. It does not provide an open CSV endpoint. Schumann Pulse currently links to the operator’s display; a Nagycenk numerical feed and daily comparison are not connected. Display workflow ^[8].

You can still use the Nagycenk station page to reach the source, or explore Etna’s magnetic-field observations to see another instrument’s view.

Sources

References in the text lead here. Original publications open in a new tab; this guide stays open.

Source review: 21 October 2026. Historical dates describe the cited publications; they are not a guarantee of uninterrupted recording today.

• [1] Nagycenk official site: identity, coordinates and public display (opens in a new tab) Back to text ↑.
• [2] Bór et al. (2020): station history, instruments and Figure 9 (opens in a new tab), CC BY 4.0.
• [3] Szabóné André et al. (2021): automatic ELF display and quality limitations (opens in a new tab).

• [4] Natural Earth: public-domain map geometry (opens in a new tab).

• [5] Observatory history (opens in a new tab) Back to text ↑.

• [6] Bór et al.: full historical review (opens in a new tab) First mention ↑.
• [7] Automatic display report (opens in a new tab) Back to text ↑ and [8] full technical text (opens in a new tab) First mention ↑.