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]

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Tähtitieteellinen yhdistys Ursa ry

Founded	November 2, 1921 (1921-11-02)
Focus	Amateur astronomy
Location	Helsinki, Finland
Area served	Finland
Membership (2016)	18,218
Website	www.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

See also

• List of astronomical societies

References

External links

• English section of Ursa website