However, the designation 'Auroral Observatory' was kept for a small special group within the Department of Physics. This group was to continue the longterm geophysical observations of aurorae, magnetic field, and ionosphere inherited from NIKF. 

Effective 1. January 2000 this group was separated from the Department of Physics and established as a unit directly under the Faculty of Science and Mathematics given the name 'Tromsø Geophysical Observatory' (TGO)

The primary activity of TGO is geomagnetic observations. In addition we are still running an ionosonde (in cooperation with Defence Evaluation and Research Agency, UK), and a few guest instruments are hosted. 

'The Auroral Observatory' is still retained as the name of the premises of the Department of Physics and TGO. 

The staff as of 1. January 2012 is:

Telephone: +47 776 45146 
E-mail: truls.hansen@uit.no

Telephone: +47 776 45222
E-mail: chris.hall@uit.no
Aeneas 

Programming, dataprocessing and data distribution. 
Telephone: +47 776 45148 
E-mail: borre.holmeslet@uit.no

Construction of instruments, maintenance. 
Telephone: +47 776 45160 
E-mail: bjorn-ove.husoy@uit.no

Data processing, operation of guest instruments, maintenance 
Telephone: +47 776 45138 
E-mail: bjornar.hansen@uit.no

Telephone: +47 776 46956 
E-mail: magnar.g.johnsen@uit.no

Telephone: +47 776 45665
E-mail: inge.edvardsen@bakerhughes.com