In English

Who are we

Meridiaani ry is 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 2025

Joonatan Huhtasalo

Chairperson
puheenjohtaja@meridiaani.org

Olli Laitinen

Vice chairperson

Neea Rautiainen

Treasurer
taloudenhoitaja@meridiaani.org

Veera Matilainen

Secretary
sihteeri@meridiaani.org

Emma Laasonen

Vilja Lipasti

Silva Suhonen

Emmi Mikkonen

Vice members of the board 2025

Lauri Pänkäläinen

Eetu Sipilä

Paavo Tikka

Valtteri Salmela

Actives 2025

Member secretary

Silva Suhonen

Fresher responsibles

Anssi Laine
Olli Launonen
Mona Raible

Publicist
tiedottaja@meridiaani.org

Katariina Köngäs

Assistant publicist
tiedottaja@meridiaani.org

Neea Rautiainen

Union and employment responsible

Lukas Vilpas

Study officers

Anne Keski-Vakkuri
Vertti Linho

Harrassment contact persons
hairintayhdyshenkilo@meridiaani.org

Emmi Mikkonen
Veera Matilainen
Lauri Pänkäläinen

Circus director

Toivo Kaivola

Roadies

Emma Laasonen
Mona Raible
Valtteri Varjus

Birthday and sitsit responsibles

Veera Matilainen
Vilja Lipasti
Joonatan Huhtasalo

Observation responsible

Tuomas Salo
Olli Laitinen
Eemeli Nurmi

Bok Globule

Valtteri Salmela
Toivo Kaivola
Silva Suhonen

Equality officers

Rora Kurkela
Lukas Vilpas

Environmental officer

Lauri Pänkäläinen

Website responsible

Mirja Ojuva
Joonatan Huhtasalo

Privacy Officer

Jarkko Ylikantola

Flag-bearer

Eetu Sipilä

Photographer

Max Mattero
Olli Laitinen

Astrolunch and Star coffee responsible

Emma Mannfors

Observatory responsible

Olli Laitinen

Cültür responsibles

Karolina Henritius
Juha Porkka
Lukas Vilpas

Social media and cat responsible

Zina Lippo

Overalls badge responsible

Emmi Mikkonen

Graphic designers

Zina Lippo
Joonatan Huhtasalo

Nurse

Anne Keski-Vakkuri

Baker

Linnea Sutela

Assistant bakers

Rora Kurkela
Neea Rautiainen
Lukas Vilpas

Kerava counters

Emma Laasonen
Helmiina Toivo
Toivo Kaivola

Game master

Vertti Linho
Eetu Sipilä

Calendar Responsible

Katariina Köngäs

Matlu and Leppätalo responsible

Valtteri Salmela

2nd Matlu and Leppätalo responsible

Lauri Pänkäläinen

International affairs

Vilma Stenius

Overalls responsible

Mona Raible

Movie responsibles

Olli Laitinen
Paavo Tikka

Mascot

Pena

Melvino responsibles

Siiri Hilska
Sofia Heikkilä
Vilja Lipasti

Crafts master

Emma Mannfors

UFO observation responsibles

Neea Rautiainen
Vilma Stenius
Emma Laasonen

Cult and Cthulhu responsibles

Emma Mannfors
Silva Suhonen
Neea Rautiainen
Emma Laasonen
Eetu Sipilä

Kimble responsible

Eetu Sipilä

Merch responsibles

Max Mattero
Joonatan Huhtasalo

Bat responsible

Zina Lippo

Foreign ministers

Zina Lippo
Veeti Haaja

Orbital motion responsible

Valtteri Salmela

Machine responsible

Olli Laitinen

Hoodinox responsible

Anne Keski-Vakkuri

Pena’s tailor

Emma Mannfors

Fortune teller

Halla Koivunen

Moderator

Lauri Pänkäläinen

Grape juice responsible

Karolina Henritius

Jäärä

Mirja Ojuva
Emma Mannfors