The observatory is currently owned by Turun Ursa ry, a local astronomical association operating in Turku area.

The observatory was built in 1963 by Tähtitieteellis-optillinen seura (Astronomy-Optical Society) on a small hill on lands of the home farm of Hilkka Rantaseppä-Helenius.

The association was founded by Yrjö Väisälä, Liisi Oterma, Hilkka Rantaseppä-Helenius, and other astronomers working at University of Turku.

It has a 6.7 degree field of view on 12x12 cm film plates, making it ideal for searching asteroids.

As the zenith tower does not have a dome but a roof that opens to the sides, and has therefore little use for normal observations, it remains unused.