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Metsähovi Geodetic Research Station

Metsähovi research station

The Metsähovi Geodetic Research Station, located near Sjökulla (Kirkkonummi) in Southern Finland, is subordinated to the Department of Geodesy and Geodynamics. Metsähovi is a key infrastructure of the FGI. Metsähovi is the basic station for the national FIN2000 reference system, and a part of the National permanent GNSS network FinnRef, created and maintained by the FGI. It is also the basic point of the national height system N2000 (also created by the FGI). The fundamental point of the Finnish gravity system is in Metsähovi.

Internationally, Metsähovi is a stable part of global network of geodetic core stations within the Global Geodetic Observing System (GGOS) which are used in maintaining global terrestrial and celestial reference frames, for computation of satellite orbits, and for geophysical studies (e.g. for global change studies). Operations in Metsähovi also directly support the United Nations General Assembly resolution "Global Geodetic Reference Frame for Sustainable Development".

In Metsähovi there are:

  • Receivers for satellite positioning (GNSS)
  • Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR)
  • a radio telescope for geodetic Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI)
  • French satellite radio beacon (DORIS)
  • receivers for National permanent GNSS network FinnRef
  • a receiver for NASA Global Positioning System
  • other geodetic measurement systems and infrastructure.

Coordinates of Metsähovi

ITRF (2892570.999,1311843.280, 5512634.011), IGS station METS

WGS84 (60.217301N, 24.394529E), the pillar of the SLR telescope

N2000 (54.4233m), the N2000 reference point

For more information

If you are interested in visiting Metsähovi, please contact us. Visits shall be made by appointment only.

Prof. Hannu Koivula, Director of the Department of Geodesy and Geodynamics

or

Research manager Jyri Näränen, manager of the Metsähovi Geodetic Research Station

firstname.lastname(at)nls.fi