1.2.2005 Riihimäki Astronomical Association
History
Riihimäki Astronomical Association (Riihimäen tähtitietellinen yhdistys ry) is a small astronomical club in Riihimäki town in southern Finland. The association was grounded by a group of active amateur astronomers in 1977. From the late 70's to the mid 80's activity of the association was concentrated for making telescopes leaded by local teacher and club chairman Heikki Kylmälä. The association had also club meetings with astronomical lectures and organized journeys into many Finnish scientifical researce places. Rate of members was about 30. In the late 80's activity of members had vanished. In 1993 the association woke up with the new management restarting the real action in activity between members and serving local public.
Activity
The main purpose of the association is to be a link between amateur astronomers in Riihimäki and promote amateur astronomy in town aranging starwatcing shows and lectures. The society finds amateur astronomical equipment and new information for members to use and educate common people about astronomy.
Observatory
In 2000 the association started to work with Hämeenlinna Astronomical Association Vega to design and build an observatory with good observing conditions to be locate in Southern Tavastia (a small region in Southern Finland). In 2002 Riihimäki Astronomical Association and Hämeenlinna Astronomical Association Vega found a new astronomical association called Ilvestorni (meaning in English "Lynx Tower") to manage the observatory project and controling observatory and observing work in the future.
Location
Riihimäki Astronomical Association has a club room in address Mäkikuja 15 in Riihimäki town. Club meetings are allmost every Wednesday night. The society has telescopes, books, magasines and other astronomical material.
Jani Helander
e-mail: jani.helander@ursa.fi
Mailing address
Riihimaki Astronomical Association
Hameenkatu 58 C 19
FIN-11100 RIIHIMAKI
FINLAND
rty@ursa.fi