Guided tours of the Observatory for formal education groups

The journey to the universe

Bring astronomy education to life by visiting the Observatory! On the journey to the universe, the phenomena of our solar system, the life of the stars, the structure of our universe and its scale, as well as astronomical observations with the different wavelengths of light, become familiar. We also look into the history of the observatory building, completed in 1834 with its old observation devices, climb the old observation tower and touch a real meteorite. In the planetarium, we get to know the northern starry sky that spreads out around us and the movement of the sky during the night.

Bookable visit times (during the semesters):

• Tue–Wed 9.00–10.15, 10.30–11.45, 12.15–13.30 or 13.45–15.00
• Thu–Fri 9.00–10.15 or 10.30–11.45

The guidance is adapted to the grade level. Duration 75 min. The price for a group visit (max. 30 students) is 60 euros, which includes both the guide and entrance fees. If the class is large, it is divided into two groups.

Booking: liekki@helsinki.fi
Visiting address: Kopernikuksentie 1, Helsinki

A space adventure at the Observatory!

The space adventure is a fascinating and educational experience for children in preschool and beginner education.

At the Observatory, we explore which celestial bodies are in our solar system and get to touch a real meteorite. What kinds of stars are there and how big is the universe? We also look at the observatory's history: what was life like for an astronomy professor once? We also climb to an old, atmospheric lookout tower. In the planetarium, we explore the northern starry sky, looking for the most familiar constellations and marveling at the happenings in the sky.

Bookable visit times (during the semesters):

• Tue–Wed 9.00–10.15, 10.30–11.45, 12.15–13.30 or 13.45–15.00
• Thu–Fri 9.00–10.15 or 10.30–11.45

We recommend the tour from the age of about 4. Duration 75 min. The price for a group visit (max. 30 children) is 60 euros, which includes both the tour and the entrance fees. If the group is large, it is divided into two groups.

Booking: liekki@helsinki.fi
Visiting address: Kopernikuksentie 1, Helsinki

You are now welcome to visit the Observatory virtually – from anywhere on Earth!

Accompanied by a live guide, you will learn about our own solar system and its phenomena, the life of the stars, the structure and scale of our universe, and astronomical observations on various wavelengths of light. We will also take a peek into the history of the Observatory building with its antique instruments, and acquaint ourselves with the historical observation tower in the attic. A planetarium show gives us the chance to examine the stars in the northern sky and learn about the movement of the stars in the night sky and about the location of the most familiar constellations.

Bookings available in term time:

• Tue–Wed 9.00–10.15, 10.30–11.45, 12.15–13.30 or 13.45–15.00
• Thu–Fri 9.00–10.15 or 10.30–11.45

The price of a virtual guided tour is 60 euros (max. 30 pupils). Duration 75 minutes.

As the virtual tour is interactive, you can ask the guide questions. Ideally, the virtual tour should be followed by the whole class together, but if pupils are attending remote instruction, they can join the tour from their own computers. You need not download any software.

If you have problems joining the virtual guided tour, call us at +358 2 941 24244 (the Observatory info number).

Booking: liekki@helsinki.fi