Observatories and planetariums in Finland

What observatories are

An observatory is a building whose dome or retractable roof protects a telescope from the weather and allows it to be turned towards the sky. Larger observatories house several instruments, and some of Finland's observatories also carry out research in addition to public viewings. Some sites are run by amateur astronomy clubs, such as local Ursa chapters, and open to the public on scheduled viewing nights. Others are science centres that also have a planetarium alongside the telescope.

Väisälä's legacy in the Turku region

A significant part of Finnish astronomy stems from Professor Yrjö Väisälä's work in the Turku region. Iso-Heikkilä Observatory in Turku was built in 1935–36 to Väisälä's technical design, and observations made there discovered 807 minor planets and seven comets – a world record in the field for many years. The new tower replaced an earlier wooden observatory that was destroyed by fire. University activities at the tower ceased in 1972, after which it passed entirely to Turku Ursa. Väisälä's Tuorla Observatory, founded in 1952, now operates as part of Avaruuspuisto Väisälä in Piikkiö, Kaarina, which features a planetarium, Finland's largest telescope, and a museum dedicated to Väisälä.

Notable sites across Finland

In Piikkiö, Kaarina, Tuorla Planetarium's 180-degree dome screens films from Earth to the birth of the universe, with public shows on Saturdays and during school holidays; larger groups can be split so some watch the film while others tour the observatory at the same time. In Härkämäki, Kangaslampi, Heinävesi, the Warkauden Kassiopeia observatory was completed in 2004, and its 16-inch Meade telescope observed supernova SN2007ae on 19.2.2007 – the observatory has since found seven more. In Lahti, Ursa's Observatory sits atop Pirttiharju's water tower, its floor 192.5 metres above sea level. Other sites are located in Kuopio, the Jyväskylä region, Kontiolahti, Seinäjoki, Alavus, Hämeenlinna, Nurmijärvi, and Kirkkonummi.

Where observatories are concentrated

Sites are found across the country from the capital region to eastern Finland, but a clear cluster lies in the Turku area, where Väisälä's legacy is visible in three locations: Iso-Heikkilä Observatory in Turku, and Tuorla Planetarium and Avaruuspuisto Väisälä in Kaarina. Elsewhere in the country, observatories are most often smaller facilities run by local amateur astronomy associations, such as Ursa member clubs, which open to the public less frequently and usually only on scheduled viewing nights.

Before you go

Stars are visible in Finland only during darkness, so the best season runs from September to March; summer's light nights do not show stars. Most sites are open only on astronomy club viewing nights or at science centre hours, so it is worth checking schedules in advance. Tuorla Planetarium has shows on Saturdays and during school holidays, with prices ranging from about 8 to 10 euros to larger package deals. When visiting at night, dress warmly, bring a torch, and allow time for your eyes to adjust to darkness before looking through a telescope.