The TUBITAK Sky Observation Event brought together astronomy enthusiasts from all over Turkey at the Kirazlı Plateau at the foot of Bursa Uludağ. Astronomy enthusiasts experienced a visual feast with the perseid meteor shower. Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır and TÜBİTAK President Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal opened the event.
At the opening ceremony of the TÜBİTAK Sky Observation Event, Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır said, "Our observation event is now being organized with a much wider participation from 7 to 70 all over Anatolia with the vision of the National Technology Move. As a result of the examinations we made in terms of air and light pollution, we determined Bursa Uludağ Kirazlıyayla as the appropriate area for our sky observation festival this year."
"The 14 thousand 506 applications made to our event from 81 provinces brought a new record. As a result of the evaluation and lottery, one thousand 47 lucky astronomy enthusiasts share this excitement with us. The intense interest shown by astronomy enthusiasts in our sky observation event is a source of pride for us." Kacır said, "During our observation event, which we organized on the days when the Perseid meteor shower will be the most intense, we will observe the sun with telescopes with special filters during the day and observe galaxies, star clusters and celestial bodies at night. Accompanied by 39 telescopes, we will explore the stars, celestial islands and nebulae in this laboratory. We will observe the planets Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Uranus and our satellite Moon, and watch the International Space Station together. In addition to all these, our scientists will inform our participants by making presentations on topics such as exoplanets, satellite technologies, asteroids, star coverings."
"There is a Turkey that carries science and technology breakthroughs into space"
"Dear young people; just as Alper Gezeravcı and Tuva Cihangir Atasever have crossed the boundaries of the sky and carried our flag with the moon and stars into space, the limits of your dreams will also go beyond this horizon. Undoubtedly, the astronauts, Turkish scientists, astronauts and astronomers of the future will come from among the astronomy enthusiasts among us today." Minister Kacır emphasized that "In line with our National Technology Move vision, we see it as a historical responsibility to establish the technological independence of our country and to protect our rights and interests in space at the highest level by maximizing the opportunities offered by space for the future of humanity and our country. With this understanding, we have established a strong infrastructure in terms of human resources, design and engineering competence in space science and technologies in the past 22 years. Now there is a Turkey that carries its science and technology breakthroughs into space. " evaluations.
Minister Kacır said, "In the Turkish Century, we are saying 'we are also in space' with a louder voice with projects that are critical for the stability and future of our nation. We developed and produced İMECE, our earth observation satellite with sub-meter resolution, with our national capabilities. In April last year, we placed it in orbit and ensured that it took its place in space. İMECE, our national pride, the work of Turkish engineers, obtains high-resolution images from all over the world without geographical restrictions. Taking the competence we gained in the İMECE satellite one step further, we developed our domestic and national communication satellite TÜRKSAT 6A with the sweat of our own human resources. As one of the 11 countries that can produce, test and develop their own communication satellites, Turkey is now in the A team in satellite production."
"These projects, which are signature projects in terms of our country's space science history, are an indication of our determination to strengthen the place of a strong and independent Turkey in space in line with our National Space Program. Within the scope of our "Moon Program", we will reach the Moon with spacecraft designed and produced by our engineers and scientists. We will ensure our country's independent access to space with the spaceport we will establish with international cooperation. We will have the most advanced telescope in our region by completing the Eastern Anatolia Observatory project, which we are carrying out for advanced space observations." Kacır said, "We will bring our youth together with space science and technologies with new science centers that we will open all over our country, such as GUHEM, which we have brought to Bursa. With TEKNOFEST, the world's largest aviation, space and technology festival, sky observation events, education and entrepreneur support programs, we will continue to invest in our human resources, the most precious treasure of our country in space science and technologies, namely our valuable young people, without slowing down. I have no doubt that we will achieve many successes with the determination and energy of our young people, whose eyes shine with the love of science and the excitement of discovery." He used his expressions.
Minister Kacır gave advice to young people: "Dear young people, the guarantee of our future, you are the hope of our future. As the sons of this land, we have great expectations from you for our future. We are proud to be your companions. As we build the Turkey of the future, we need your sweat of your brow and sweat of your mind more than ever. Do not forget that; we will be together on the road to "Fully Independent Turkey", we will walk the road together. As the Ministry of Industry and Technology, we will continue our uninterrupted support to you."
71-Year-Old Necla Balgat Shared Her Excitement
Minister Kacır invited 1.5-year-old Bilal Uzun and his family and 71-year-old Necla Balgat, one of the youngest participants of the Sky Observation Event, to the stage. Upon the words of Necla Balgat, who shared her feelings, "Thank you very much for giving us this festival. I think I am late", Minister Kacır said, "There are many more, let's continue together in the coming years. Have you ever made observations before?"
Necla Balgat said, "If they call me, why not? I will observe for the first time. I am very curious about the sky, the stars, the moon, everything."
"We are in an event with 24 hours of continuous activity for 3 days"
In his speech at the opening ceremony, Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal, President of TUBITAK, noted that in the 61st year of TUBITAK, they experienced a different excitement in the Sky Observation event, which has been organized since 1998, and that they held the event in Bursa for the first time, and said, "Antalya Saklıkent, where we have been holding this event for many years. We were there last year, and again our Minister was with us. This year, we are in Bursa Uludağ with the instruction of our Minister to organize the event in different provinces. We are in a very beautiful atmosphere. You will see that it will be worth your wait, especially at night."
Sharing information about the event, Mandal said, "Throughout the day, we carried out many activities with our children, young people, future technology stars and astronomy enthusiasts. It will continue tomorrow and Sunday. At the same time, the best science and technology teachers, astronomers and astronauts of our country will make presentations to you in this hall. I am sure we have many questions. Sometimes we even hesitate to ask our questions. But we will have activities that you can ask without hesitation. We also have a competition on Sunday. We will organize our sky observation activities today evening, tonight and tomorrow morning. Therefore, we are in an event with 24 hours of continuous activity for 3 days. Both educating and learning, as well as trying, practicing, seeing and recognizing all of the celestial bodies... We are doing all of these in this event."
Emphasizing that "We are actually fulfilling a historical responsibility through this event we are organizing with you," Mandal said, "Because this geography is a geography where astronomy was born and developed. We come from a geography where Ulugbey, Ali Kusçu, Takuyiddin were mentioned as astronomers and scientists in the 1500s, and the world's first and exemplary observatories were built. However, there is a period, a gap in which we move away from these. In order to close this gap quickly, we have been in an effort to raise awareness since 1998. But especially since 2021, with the National Space Program put forward by our President, this has now turned into a road map and strategy. With this event, we are contributing to 10 topics within the scope of our country's National Space Program. Two of these 10 topics. The first is to understand and watch the sky... The second is to train human resources in this field, which is much more valuable. And that is you. Therefore, this event and your presence here is really very valuable."
The President of TÜBİTAK called on the participants to ask questions: "As someone who has been participating in these events for seven years, I advise you not to hesitate to ask questions. We have 50 astronomers in charge of 39 telescopes here. They are really very valuable friends. They are excitedly waiting for your questions. The more times you come here, the more you will learn about deep space. This year, of course, we have an extra difference, we have two astronauts with us."
Prof. Dr. Mandal said, "In 2023, on the 100th anniversary of the founding of our Republic, on April 15, 2023, we launched İMECE, our first sub-meter resolution observation satellite. Our two astronauts went into space. But there was also another important event. On July 9th, we launched our first domestic and national communication satellite, TÜRKSAT 6A. This year was really one of the years when Turkey talked about space the most. And this will continue to increase. " he said.
Explaining that he met 2-year-old Muaz Mutlu and was very impressed by him, Mandal said, "A 2-year-old child knows Jupiter, knows the characteristics of Jupiter. He knows the nearest planet. He knows the farthest. He knows the properties of Uranus. When I see these children, when I see our young people, I look to the future with much more hope. That is why I say that I am glad we are doing these activities." He used these expressions.
Mahmut Demirtaş, Governor of Bursa, and Yusuf Kıraç, President of the Turkish Space Agency (TUA) also delivered speeches at the ceremony.
AK Party Deputy Chairman Efkan Ala, AK Party Eskişehir Deputy Fatih Dönmez, Turkey's first astronauts Alper Gezeravcı and Tuva Cihangir Atasever also attended the ceremony.
After the speeches, Minister Kacır took a photo with the participants of the Sky Observation Event and members of the protocol.
After the opening ceremony, Minister Kacır toured the observation area together with TÜBİTAK President Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal and chatted with both observers and astronomers.
The night observation continued until daylight.
Astronauts met with young people
In the conference tent in the event area, 19 interesting presentations were held for 3 days.
In the 26th year of the Sky Observation Event, our first Turkish astronauts Alper Gezeravcı and Tuva Cihangir Atasever, who made their mark in the Turkish Century, came together with young people to share their experiences.
On the last day of the event, a quiz was organized. At the end of the quiz, the first prize winner received a telescope, the second prize winner received a book set of TÜBİTAK popular science publications, and the third prize winner received a one-year magazine subscription. Ömer Kökçam, President of TÜBİTAK BİTO, presented the awards to the winners of the competition. After the award presentation, Mr. Kökçam made the closing speech and thanked all participants for a great event. Reminding that TÜBİTAK is 61 years old, Kökçam noted that Science and Technique magazine has been raising generations for 57 years. Kökçam also emphasized that events addressing science and society will continue to increase.
More than a thousand people attended the Sky Observation Event. During the event, which was visited by thousands of people on the public day organized on Saturday, workshops and activities to raise awareness in science and technology for all age groups were organized for 3 days and 2 nights.
Children who attended the workshops in the TÜBİTAK tent had fun and learned by participating in scientific activities organized by TÜBİTAK.
