Ursa (Finland)

Ursa Astronomical Association (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 published a magazine Tähdet ja avaruus since 1971 and have provided awards to exceptional members of amateur astronomy for significant astronomical observations since 1988. Anyone can join Ursa for an annual fee.

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