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