• solar physics;
• interplanetary medium physics;
• physics of near-Earth space;
• ionosphere and atmosphere;
• investigation into solar-terrestrial relations;
• development of astrophysical and geophysical research methods and equipment.

Observatories:

• Sayan Solar Observatory

• Baikal Astrophysical Observatory

• Radioastrophysical Observatory

• Joint Geomagnetic Observatory (Magnetic Observatory “Irkutsk”, Baikal Magneto-Telluric Station)

• Norilsk Integrated Magnetic-Ionospheric Station

• Geophysical Observatory

• Observatory for Radiophysical Diagnostics of the Atmosphere

• Sayan Cosmic Ray Spectrograph

The following researches are carried out at these observatories:

• Research into the Sun in optical and radio frequency bands

• Registration of variations of the Earth’s magnetic field, and absolute geomagnetic measurements

• Registration of telluric currents and short-period fluctuations of the geomagnetic field

• Research of the ionosphere by radiophysical and optical methods

• Registration of variations of the cosmic ray intensity

• Research into the upper atmosphere by the radio wave incoherent scatter method

The ISTP is equipped with modern experimental facilities including unique instruments:

• Siberian Solar Radio Telescope

• Large Solar Vacuum Telescope

• Non-Eclipse Solar Coronagraph

• Automatized Solar Telescope with complex of magnetographs and spectrophotometers

• Solar Telescope for Operative Prediction

• Infrared Telescope

• Irkutsk incoherent Scatter Radar

• Cosmic Ray Spectrograph

• Station for Vertical and Oblique-Incidence Ionospheric Sounding, Magnetograph

• DPS-4 Digisonde for Vertical-Incidence Ionospheric Sounding

• LFM Ionosonde for Vertical, Oblique, and Oblique Incidence-Backscatter Ionospheric Sounding with remote transmitting points in Usolye, Norilsk and Magadan

These instruments together with the network of geophysical stations and equipment comprise a spaced integral instrument for observing sources of solar disturbances and their manifestations in interplanetary space, Earth’s magnetosphere and ionosphere.