Ursa (Finland)

Ursa Astronomical Association (Finnish: Tähtitieteellinen yhdistys Ursa ry) is the largest astronomical association in Finland. Ursa was founded on 2 November 1921. Founding members include a renowned Finnish astronomer Yrjö Väisälä. In 1926 Ursa established the Ursa Observatory in Kaivopuisto district of Helsinki. In 2007 the Tähtikallio Observatory & Education Center was established in Artjärvi, its current equipment includes an Astrofox 36" Folded Newtonian Open tube telescope, an Alluna 16" Ritchey-Chrétien telescope, a Meade 16" LX200GPS Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope, a Sky-Watcher ED 120mm refractor telescope fitted with a Baader AstroSolar Solar Filter and a piggybacked Coronado SolarMax 40 H-Alpha telescope. Ursa's primary functions include advancing amateur astronomy and astronomical education. They have also published a magazine Tähdet ja avaruus since 1971.[1] Anyone can join Ursa for an annual fee.[2]

Tähtitieteellinen yhdistys Ursa ry
FoundedNovember 2, 1921 (1921-11-02)
FocusAmateur astronomy
Location
Area served
Finland
Membership (2016)
18,218
Websitewww.ursa.fi

Sections

The organization has thirteen sections specialized in different aspects of amateur astronomy (and meteorology):

  • Solar section
  • Halo section
  • Instrument section
  • Atmospheric optical phenomena section
  • Clubs and organization
  • Lunar, planetary and cometary section
  • Mathematics and information technology section
  • Meteor section
  • Storm chasing section
  • Minor planet and occultation section
  • Aurora section
  • Deep sky section
  • Satellite section

In addition, Ursa has two loosely organized hobby groups:

  • Variable stars
  • Observation conditions

References
  1. "A brief history of Ursa". Ursa. 2004-09-02. Retrieved 2008-01-30.
  2. "Tähtitieteellinen yhdistys Ursa: Etusivu". www.ursa.fi (in Finnish). Retrieved 2018-02-21.


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