Ursa (Finland)
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| Founded | November 2, 1921 |
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| Focus | Amateur astronomy |
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Area served
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Finland |
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Volunteers
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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. Anyone interested in astronomy can join the 17,500-member organization.
The organization has thirteen sections specialized in different aspects of amateur astronomy (and meteorology):
In addition, Ursa has two loosely organized hobby groups:
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