ARCturus

The Observatory of the Helsinki University was established in 1834. Since the year 1819, there had been an Observatory in Turku. After the fire of Turku, in 1827, Emperor Nikolai I moved the University of Turku to Helsinki. The observatory building, however, was saved from the fire and it still exists on its original site on the top of a hill near the river Aura. A new observatory was, consequently, built in Helsinki. It was equipped with the most modern devices available at that time, e.g. rotating towers. The observatory was designed by Carl Ludvig Engel and Friedrich Wilhelm August Argelander.

Argelander was a university professor in astronomy from the year 1828. One of the refractors, placed in the middle tower in 1834, now bears his name. The diameter of the refractor, 18 cm, was at that time considered big.

The department of astronomy, as an independent entity, was shut down in 2010 and the teaching was moved to the department of physics in Kumpula. Luckily enough, the original buildings are nowadays, after a long history, still used for astronomical activities. The facilities were renovated and they are now used by the Helsinki Observatory since 2012. The observatory is a unique and high level place of visit for both public and professionals. It offers versatile activities and programmes. Retaining the old and creating new has given this valuable building its internationally acknowledged shape. The website of Helsinki Observatory (www.observatory.fi) provides information on exhibitions, events as well as opening hours.

The association ‘Friends of the Observatory’ introduces itself as ‘an association that supports both ideologically and financially the function of the Helsinki Observatory, which is a part of the Helsinki University Museum’. There are many kinds of activities available to the members of the association, such as member gatherings, trips, voluntary aid in various happenings of the Observatory as well as participation in lectures. A special website has been established for the Friends of the Observatory (www.observatorionystavat.fi/).

 

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