Sodankylä observatory’s research work unaffected by financial and management issues, university says

The Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory (SGO) continues its scientific operations normally despite recent revelations of serious financial and administrative problems, according to Oulu University.

A university investigation found that the observatory had exceeded its budget by over €500,000 over several years, with additional issues identified in procurement, leadership, and project oversight. These findings led to the dismissal of the unit’s director, Eija Tanskanen, last week.

Acting director Arto Vaarala, the observatory’s laboratory chief, confirmed that the financial and management problems have not disrupted research activities. “Naturally, people have been concerned, but since the investigations did not target our research, the core work has continued as usual,” he said.

Oulu University emphasized that the observatory’s reputation remains intact, as the identified problems relate solely to finances, procurement, and management—not the quality of its scientific work. “The ambiguities do not concern the high-level research conducted at the observatory,” said Petteri Alahuhta, the university’s vice-rector for partnerships.

Alahuhta noted that no decision has yet been made on recruiting a new permanent director. The university has begun restructuring and improving the observatory’s operations in collaboration with staff.

The Sodankylä observatory, an independent institute under Oulu University, employs around 35 people, with 19 based in Sodankylä’s Tähtelä district and the rest in Oulu. Founded 113 years ago, it conducts continuous monitoring of near-Earth space phenomena, geomagnetic observations, and Arctic polar region changes. Its expertise in precision measurement instruments is internationally recognized, and it provides real-time aurora camera feeds among other data.