Metsähovi Radio Observatory
The Metsähovi Radio Observatory is an astronomical observatory in Finland affiliated with Aalto University. Its main premises are in Metsähovi, Kirkkonummi, 35 kilometers west of the university's Otaniemi campus.
The observatory currently operates a diameter radio telescope and has an array of four dishes to serve as a compact interferometer called the 'Metsähovi Compact Array'. In addition, it operates several smaller radio telescopes and instruments. The observatory is staffed by some 20 researchers, engineers, and students from Aalto University and the Finnish Centre for Astronomy with the European Southern Observatory (ESO).
The observatory has been operational since 1974 and active in the fields of:
- fundamental research in radio astronomy
- development of instruments needed in radio astronomy
- development of methods for radio astronomical measurements
- applied scientific computing
- space research
- education
The observatory observed the near-total Solar eclipse of March 20, 2015 at 11.2 and 37 GHz.