Tuorla Observatory of the University of Turku and Finnish Geodetic Institute (now Finnish Geospatial Research Institute FGI) minted a medallion to commemorate the 80 year anniversary of Academician Yrjö Väisälä (1891 – 1971). The medal was designed by Professor Jussi Vikainen. Academician Väisälä started his career in the Geodetic Institute before he was nominated as a Professor of Physics in the University of Turku. He made research and developed instruments which were revolutionary both in geodesy and astronomy. Some of Väisälä’s inventions are in use even today.
The medal has been awarded both in Tuorla Observatory and Geodetic Institute to persons who have advanced research in their field and for a long-standing collaboration. The Finnish Geospatial Research Institute FGI continues the tradition of the Finnish Geodetic Institute.
Väisälä Medals Awarded by the Finnish Geodetic Institute / Finnish Geospatial Research Institute FGI:
- Professor Helmut Moritz, Austria, 1977, for his long-standing cooperation with the Finnish Geodetic Institute and his achievements in geodesy
- Professor Juhani Keinonen, University of Helsinki, 2014, for his long-standing cooperation with the Finnish Geodetic Institute
- Professor Jaakko Mäkinen, Finnish Geodetic Institute, 2014, for his long-standing career and life’s work at the Finnish Geodetic Institute
- Professor Erik W. Grafarend, Germany, 2014, on the occasion of his 75th Anniversary for long-standing cooperation with the Finnish Geodetic Institute
- Professor Gérard Lachapelle, Canada, 2016, for his long-standing cooperation with the Finnish Geodetic Institute / Geospatial Research Institute, FGI
Väisälä Medals Awarded by Tuorla Observatory:
- Professor Erik Tengström, Sweden
- Professor Hans-Ullrich Sandig, Germany
- Dr. Brian G. Marsden, UK / USA
- Professor Anders Reiz, Denmark (1977)
- Professor Juhani Kakkuri, Finland (2003)
- Professor Martti Tiuri, Finland (2004)
- Professor Seppo Urpo, Finland (2004)
- Counsellor of Education Mirja Arajärvi, Finland (2004)
- Adjunct Professor Seppo Mikkola, Finland (2007)
- Director Tapio Korhonen, Finland (2009)
- Cosmology research group of Tartu Observatory, Estonia (2012)