Nyrölä Observatory
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Nyrölä Observatory is an amateur astronomical observatory in the village of Nyrölä, near Jyväskylä in central Finland, sitting at an elevation of 209 metres.
About Nyrölä Observatory
The observatory is owned and operated by the astronomical association Jyväskylän Sirius ry, a club dedicated to amateur astronomy in the region.
Telescopes & research
Nyrölä Observatory is best known for the discovery of asteroid 22978 Nyrola on 14 November 1999, designated 1999 VO24 — the first asteroid ever discovered by Finnish amateur astronomers, credited to observers Harri Hyvönen, Marko Moilanen and Arto Oksanen. The Minor Planet Center formally credits the discovery to the observatory itself.
Location & getting there
The observatory sits in the countryside village of Nyrölä, close to Jyväskylä in central Finland, at 209 metres elevation — a rural setting well suited to amateur observing away from city lights.
Visiting Nyrölä Observatory
As a club-run facility, visiting is best arranged through Jyväskylän Sirius ry. Check the observatory's own website for current opening details before travelling.
See your named star from here
An observatory that discovered its own asteroid is a fitting place to think about a star bearing someone's name. If you've named one through Star Register, look up its coordinates in our star catalogue and find it in the Finnish night sky.
Opening hours and public-visit programs vary by season. Check the official website and Google Maps for current times before you travel.
