Ursa (Finland)

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Tähtitieteellinen yhdistys Ursa ry
Founded November 2, 1921 (1921-11-02)
Headquarters
Area served Finland
Focus(es) Amateur astronomy
Volunteers 17,475 (2012)
Website www.ursa.fi

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, it's current equipment include an Astrofox 36" Folded Newtonian Open tube telescope, a Meade 16" LX200GPS Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope, a Sky-Watcher ED 120mm refractor telescope fitted with a Baaderin 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 interested in astronomy can join the 17,500-member organization.

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

External links

References

  1. ↑ "A brief history of Ursa". Ursa. 2004-09-02. Retrieved 2008-01-30. 
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