Who are we
Meridiaani ry is a student association for astronomy students at the University of Helsinki, founded in 2001. We advocate for astronomy students in academic matters and organize a diverse range of events, from observation excursions to parties.
You can contact Meridiaani’s board by sending an email to hallitus@meridiaani.org. We also have a Telegram group. If you are interested in joining the group, contact your tutor or email the board.
Studying astronomy
By studying astronomy, you can ponder the mysteries of space from the contents of our own solar system to faraway galaxies. At the University of Helsinki, quality research is conducted on topics such as the birth and development of stars, our own planetary system, and the formation of galaxies.
Physics and mathematics are important tools in astronomy. The beginning of astronomy studies at the university is quite physics-heavy, and astronomy itself is usually only reached a little later in the study path. Studies in computer science are also useful, as programming is an essential part of the modern astronomer’s profession. Astronomy studies at the university are largely theoretical, but some practical courses on observational astronomy are also available.
Read more about studying astronomy at the University of Helsinki:
Events and activities
We organize numerous different events throughout the year, for example game nights, picnics and other hangouts. To find out more about our upcoming events you can follow our Instagram page. This way you can stay up-to-date on upcoming event dates and join in the fun!
Meridiaani’s observation group is a group of students interested in observational astronomy, founded in the fall of 2013. We have access to the observatory located in Kirkkonummi Metsähovi, where the 60 cm telescope owned by the University of Helsinki is located. We go there regularly to make our own observations, usually with the university’s CCD camera. In Metsähovi, it is possible to observe what interests you, just for your own pleasure, but it is also possible to collect material for a thesis. We have also participated in international observation projects, such as tracking asteroids discovered by the GAIA space telescope.
If you are interested in joining the activities of the observation group, contact Meridiaani’s board by email at hallitus@meridiaani.org.
Board 2026
Olli Laitinen
Chair
puheenjohtaja@meridiaani.org
Photographer
Observatory responsible
Movie responsible
Anniversary committee member (2025–2026)
Mona Raible
Vice chair
Social media and cat responsible
International affairs
Grape juice responsible
Events officer
Veera Matilainen
Treasurer
taloudenhoitaja@meridiaani.org
Sitz responsible
Webmaster
Anniversary committee member (2025–2026)
Jenny Lehtiö
Secretary
sihteeri@meridiaani.org
Fresher responsible
Harassment contact person
Flag bearer
Overalls responsible
Events officer
Librarian
UFO-observation responsible
Silva Suhonen
Bok Globule
Kerava counter
Cult and Cthulhu responsible
Anniversary gala committee member (2025–2026)
Neea Rautiainen
Study officer
Sitz responsible
Privacy officer
Bat responsible
Foreign minister
Anniversary committee member (2025–2026)
Toivo Kaivola
Sitz responsible
Bok Globule
Cültür responsible
Matlu and Leppätalo responsible
Orbital motion responsible
Kumpula space committee vice representative
Emil Vainio
Fresher responsible
Overalls responsible
Events officer
Flag bearer
Vice members of the board 2026
Emmi Mikkonen
Overall patch responsible
Merch responsible
Emma Laasonen
Kerava counter
Moderator
Anniversary committee member (2025–2026)
Rora Kurkela
Equality officer
Social media and cat responsible
Kerava counter
Cult and Cthulhu responsible
Lukas Vilpas
Union and work contact person
Environmental officer
Cültür responsible
Actives 2026
Siiri Hilska
Melvinoresponsible
Joonatan Huhtasalo
Chair of the Anniversary committee (2025–2026)
Festi responsible
Bok Globule
Webmaster
Social media and cat responsible
Graphic designer
UFO-observation responsible
Cult and Cthulhu responsible
Kimble responsible
Merch responsible
Machine responsible
SFMO contact person
Jäärä
Kumpula space committee representative
Remi Nieminen
Webmaster
Overall patch responsible
Gamemaster
Overalls responsible
Pena’s official costumier
Paavo Tikka
Cültür responsible
Artistic leader
Eemeli Nurmi
Observation responsible
Vilma Stenius
Graphic designer
Foreign minister
Pinja Sivonen
Foreign minister
Cültür responsible
Gamemaster
Tobias Klaver
Fresher responsible
Roadie
Flag bearer
Blood donation responsible
Sofia Heikkilä
Melvino responsible
Tuomas Salo
Observation responsible
Anssi Laine
Member secretary
Assistant publicist
Mai Jousmäki
Nurse
Karita Kaivosoja
Cültür responsible
Luka Saarelainen
Blood donation responsible
Roadie
Katariina Köngäs
Publicist
Calendar responsible
International affairs
Lauri Pänkäläinen
Hood equinox responsible
Jäärä
Anniversary committee member (2025–2026)
Roosa Kääriäinen
Equality officer
Environmental officer
Hanna Talikka
Assistant baker
Taru Puranen
Assistant baker
Crafts master
Aino Puolanne
Circus director
Assistant baker
Crafts master
Joona Levä
Observation responsible
Pena
Mascot
Luka Sohlberg
Study officer
Linnea Sutela
Astrolunch and star coffee responsible
Baker
Karolina Henritius
Grape juice responsible
Anniversary committee member (2025–2026)
Emma Mannfors
Pena’s official costumier
Jäärä
Valtteri Varjus
Roadie
Kimble responsible
Max Mattero
Photographer
Viivi Simpanen
Study officer
2nd Matlu and Leppätalo responsible
Elina Sipilä
Assistant baker
Merch responsible
Bat responsible
Peppi Sikkilä
Harassment contact person
Circus director
Eetu Sipilä
Webmaster
Gamemaster
Cult and Cthulhu responsible
Kimble responsible
Juha Porkka
Cültür responsible
UFO-observation responsible
Ruska Karpansalo
Photographer
Valtteri Salmela
Orbital motion responsible
Halla Koivunen
Cult and Cthulhu responsible
Fortune teller
Niilo Tuomaala
Harassment contact person
Aaron Sten
Gamemaster
Iida Kostamo
Anniversary committee member (2025–2026)
Mirja Ojuva
Vice auditor
Anniversary committee member (2025–2026)
Zina Lippo
Auditor