Long range and short range magnetic order in new compound NaVGe$_2$O$_6$

The new metaloxide pyroxene compound NaVGe$_2$O$_6$ containing isolated edge-sharing VO$_6$ ($S = 1$) chains undergoes a transition into a long range antiferromagnetic state at $T_N = 16\,$K. The broad maximum in the temperature dependence of magnetic susceptibility at $T_M = 26\,$K indicates the low-dimensional character of magnetic subsystem. Even though the antiferromagnetic ordering is accompanied by a sharp peak of specific heat, significant magnetic entropy is released above the Neel temperature.