Preparing for the Stargazing Show
Clothing
The observatory has warm interiors, but the actual observing naturally happens at the ambient outside temperature. This must be taken into account when dressing, so wear warm outerwear even if the outdoor temperature is mild to the season. A good rule of thumb is to dress as if it was 10 degrees Celsius colder than the forecast temperature.
Important things to take into account
The Observatory is located in Kauppi at the top of a water tower completed in 1960. The building has an elevator, but it does not reach the top - there is one flight of stairs to climb still to reach the club indoor premises. Another flight of stairs leads to the rooftop, and yet another, narrow and steep staircase leads to the dome. The stairs may be wet and slippery depending on the weather, so be careful when traversing them! Alas, the dome is not (easily) accessible for persons of limited mobility.
Questions
There are no stupid questions, so feel free to ask! We attempt to give an expert answer, and many times other guests also join in, which results in interesting discussion.
Photography and video
Taking videos and photographs at the Observatory is allowed, and you can photograph equipment, views and staff without asking for permission. However, the premises are considered a private space (i.e. not a public area), so if you publish pictures, be sure to ask for a permission from the people in the pictures, whether they are your own party or staff!
If you are unsure if you can take a photograph, then you can always ask the guide!