UMa Astronomy

UMa Astronomy
FormationOctober 6, 2006
TypeNon-profit organization
PurposeAmateur astronomy, outreach, meteor observation
HeadquartersBlahová
Region
Dunajská Streda District, Slovakia
Websiteobservatory.sk

UMa Astronomy is a Slovak public association based in Blahová, Dunajská Streda District, that focuses on the promotion of astronomy, astronomical observations and astrophotography.It was founded with the aim of creating a professional background for amateur astronomy in the Žitný ostrov (Csallóköz) region. The association is named after the Ursa Major constellation.

History

Founded in 2003, the organization was originally named AMADE and focused on environmental protection, culture, and education. Following the joining of several members from the CORVUS astronomical association, the statutes were amended, and the name was officially changed to UMa Astronomy on October 6, 2006.[1]

Activities and Projects

The founding members and collaborators, including Tibor Csörgei, Štefan Kürti, Ivan Molnár, and Kristián Molnár, are active in the discovery of minor planets, observation of meteors and comets, and solar eclipse expeditions. In recognition of his work in amateur astronomy and for founding the association, minor planet (270472) was named "Csorgei" by the International Astronomical Union.[2]

The association is an active participant in international meteor observation programs and operates an official detection station (station code: SKUMA) for the International Meteor Organization.[3] The association operates the first public observatory in the Žitný ostrov region, which was named the Zsigmond Bödők Observatory in 2017 in honor of the astronomer Zsigmond Bödők.[4]

International collaborations include:

  • CEMENT (Central European Meteor Network): Long-term cooperation in video meteor observation.[5]
  • Mount Everest Expedition (2010): Participation in an astronomical expedition to the Everest base camp.[6]
  • RMOB: Regular data contribution to the Radio Meteor Observing Bulletin.[7]

Instrumentation

The observatory is equipped with:

  • Celestron C11 (Schmidt-Cassegrain) telescope on an NEQ6 mount, equipped with an ASI183 Pro camera.
  • Sky-Watcher 355/1650 Dobson telescope with GoTo control.
  • Sky-Watcher 102/1000 refractor.
  • Four FHD cameras for video meteor observation.
  • Radio meteor detection system (under renovation).

Location

The Zsigmond Bödők Observatory is located in Blahová, Slovakia. 48°5′6″N 17°32′48″E / 48.08500°N 17.54667°E / 48.08500; 17.54667

References

  1. ^ "History of 'UMa Astronomy'". Csallóköz (in Slovak). 56 (26): 11. 2016.
  2. ^ "(270472) Csörgei = 2002 CS316)". IAU Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 2026-03-04.
  3. ^ "IMO Station Directory: SKUMA (Sárrét/Blahová)". International Meteor Organization. Retrieved 2026-03-04.
  4. ^ "Two observatories named after Zsigmond Bödők". Parameter.sk. Retrieved 2026-01-26.
  5. ^ "CEMENT – Central European MEteor NeTwork" (PDF). WGN, Journal of the IMO. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
  6. ^ "Slovak Astronomy under Everest" (PDF). Kozmos (in Slovak). 42 (2): 34. 2011.
  7. ^ "RMOB observation data - UMa". RMOB. April 2024. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
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