Helsinki University Observatory
Encyclopedia
Helsinki University Observatory housed the Department of Astronomy at the University of Helsinki
University of Helsinki
The University of Helsinki is a university located in Helsinki, Finland since 1829, but was founded in the city of Turku in 1640 as The Royal Academy of Turku, at that time part of the Swedish Empire. It is the oldest and largest university in Finland with the widest range of disciplines available...

, south Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...

 until end of 2009.

History

The Helsinki astronomical observatory was designed in cooperation by professor Friedrich Wilhelm Argelander
Friedrich Wilhelm Argelander
Friedrich Wilhelm August Argelander was a German astronomer. He is known for his determinations of stellar brightnesses, positions, and distances.- Life and work :...

 and architect Carl Ludvig Engel
Carl Ludvig Engel
Carl Ludvig Engel, or Johann Carl Ludwig Engel , was a German architect known for his neoclassical style. He had a great impact on the architecture of Finland in the first part of the 19th century....

. The building was finished in 1834. The instruments and astronomical books that had escaped the great fire in Turku
Turku
Turku is a city situated on the southwest coast of Finland at the mouth of the Aura River. It is located in the region of Finland Proper. It is believed that Turku came into existence during the end of the 13th century which makes it the oldest city in Finland...

 were transferred to Helsinki
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is...

. The observatory was among the most modern astronomical observatories of its time, and served as an example for several European observatories that were built afterwards.

A separate tower was built in the observatory garden for the telescope designed for astrophotography. This building was finished in 1890.

The Metsähovi observatory of the University of Helsinki
University of Helsinki
The University of Helsinki is a university located in Helsinki, Finland since 1829, but was founded in the city of Turku in 1640 as The Royal Academy of Turku, at that time part of the Swedish Empire. It is the oldest and largest university in Finland with the widest range of disciplines available...

 started in 1973. Metsähovi Radio Observatory
Metsähovi Radio Observatory
The Metsähovi Radio Observatory is an astronomical observatory affiliated with the Aalto University. Its main premises are in Metsähovi, Kylmälä, 35 km west of the campus of the Helsinki University of Technology....

 has also become a centre for the radio astronomical research of the Helsinki University of Technology
Helsinki University of Technology
Aalto University School of Science and Technology , was the temporary name for Helsinki University of Technology during the process of forming the Aalto University...

.

See also

  • List of astronomical observatories
  • Metsähovi Radio Observatory
    Metsähovi Radio Observatory
    The Metsähovi Radio Observatory is an astronomical observatory affiliated with the Aalto University. Its main premises are in Metsähovi, Kylmälä, 35 km west of the campus of the Helsinki University of Technology....

  • Tuorla Observatory
    Tuorla Observatory
    Tuorla Observatory is the Department of Astronomy at the University of Turku, southwest Finland. Currently it is the largest astronomical research institute in Finland...

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