Dear Colleagues, 
It is my pleasure to bring to your attention that this summer of 2006 Magnetic 
Observatory of Ekaterinburg ? Vysokaya Dubrava ? Arti is celebrating its 170-
years anniversary. As you probably know, this Observatory is famous for its 
uninterrupted high-quality series of geomagnetic observations not only in 
Russia but around the world.

The Observatory was opened in 1836 in the center of Ekaterinburg. After the 
beginning of local tram service in 1929, it was moved to V. Dubrava, 30 km east 
of Ekaterinburg.  In 1973, before the electrification of nearby railway line, 
it was finally relocated to Arti, 140 km west of the city. Presently, Magnetic 
Observatory is operating under supervision by Institute of Geophysics, Urals 
Scientific Center Russian Academy of Sciences.

On July 17-23 of 2006, the Institute is hosting the International Session 
"170 years of observatory work at the Urals: the history and modern state" 
devoted to the recognition of the Observatory. This jubilee is a very important 
event for Russia and all geomagnetic societies throughout the world. That is 
why I am certain that IAGA and especially its Division V and International 
Commission on History would like to participate in the forthcoming celebration.

Yours very truly, 

Dr. V. Shapiro. 
(member of the Institute of Geophysics since 1959, former lead of Geomagnetic 
laboratory,  which was supervising the work of the Magnetic Observatory during 
many years as well as the relocation of the Observatory from V. Dubrava, 
currently retired).

Dr. Vsevolod  Shapiro 
P.O. Box 25, Lombard, IL 60148 ? 0025 
USA. 
Phone: (630) 858 4318. 
E-mail: seva@benya.com.