Ursa (Finland)
 | |
| Founded | November 2, 1921 |
|---|---|
| Focus | Amateur astronomy |
| Location | |
Area served | Finland |
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, 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 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
- ↑ "A brief history of Ursa". Ursa. 2004-09-02. Retrieved 2008-01-30.