Beyağaç Sky Observation Festival begins

The Sky Observation Festival, bringing together amateur and professional astronomers, campers and nature enthusiasts from across Türkiye, began with an opening ceremony held at Topuklu Plateau. The ceremony was attended by Denizli Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Mayor Ali Marım, Beyağaç District Governor Servet Haydari, Kale District Governor İbrahim Gökçe, district mayors, protocol members, numerous scientists and nature enthusiasts.

“Topuklu Plateau is a rare treasure in our country”

Prof. Dr. Ethem Derman, the honorary guest of the festival, emphasised the importance of fostering a love of astronomy in his speech, saying, “It is of vital importance to organise events such as this to instil a love of astronomy in people of all ages and to introduce new generations to the light of the universe and science. The unique dark-sky conditions offered by Topuklu Plateau are a rare treasure in our country for astronomical observations.”

“We are turning our district into a national astronomy centre”

Beyağaç Mayor Sezayi Pütün said, “We are deeply honoured to host this organisation, which we organise in cooperation with our Metropolitan Municipality and which grows larger every year. We are a small district with a big heart, blessed with extraordinary natural beauty, from Mount Sandras and Lake Kartal to Topuklu Plateau and Karagöl. We want not only our fellow citizens but also guests from every corner of our country to see, discover and experience these treasures. We are turning our district into a national centre for astronomy. With the support of Denizli Metropolitan Municipality, the contributions of our scientists and the participation of our valued guests who have travelled many kilometres to be here, we have created a very special atmosphere. We may look up at the sky here, but through the strong friendships we build, we will also bring our hearts closer together; by preserving our nature just as we found it, we will leave Beyağaç with unforgettable memories.”

“Beyağaç is an important destination waiting to be discovered”

Beyağaç District Governor Servet Haydari highlighted the critical role such events play in the development of younger generations, saying, “I believe that events like these, which give your children and young people the opportunity to discover nature, science and the sky, will strengthen their sense of curiosity and enthusiasm for learning. With its forests, plateaus, lakes, clean air and natural beauty, Beyağaç is an important destination waiting to be discovered. We will continue our efforts to preserve these natural assets and pass them on to future generations, while taking Beyağaç further in the fields of nature, culture and tourism. I would like to thank all institutions and organisations that contributed to making this wonderful event possible, as well as everyone who played a part.”

“We follow nature and stand with science”

Drawing attention to the importance of cooperation between local authorities and nature-based tourism during the sky observation event in Beyağaç, Denizli Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Mayor Ali Marım stated that the Metropolitan Municipality would continue to protect and promote the city’s natural treasures. He said, “Every corner of Denizli is home to a unique natural treasure. We are very pleased to support this meaningful organisation, where science, nature and friendship come together in this extraordinary geography stretching from Mount Sandras to Topuklu Plateau. As the Metropolitan Municipality, we will continue to lead and support all initiatives that enhance our city’s tourism potential and nurture our children’s and young people’s curiosity about science.”

The first day of the festival, which began with the opening speeches, continued with a screening of the documentary “Dark Sky Area,” chaired by Prof. Dr. Ethem Derman, followed by a presentation by Fadime Kırmızı.

A comprehensive programme where science and the sky meet

Offering participants a rich programme in both theoretical and practical terms, the event will feature inspiring talks by expert academics under the titles “Astronomy for Everyone, from Seven to Seventy-Seven,” “Meteor Showers and the Perseid Spectacle,” “The Universe: Past, Present and Future,” “Our Star, the Sun, and Solar Observations,” “Introduction to Astrophotography” and “Human Health in Space and Medical Challenges.” Space-themed workshops for all ages, organised in cooperation with Denizli Science Centre, solar observations, water rocket demonstrations, telescope-making activities and the excitement of a live broadcast of a solar eclipse from Spain will add further colour to the programme. During the programme, Saturn, the Milky Way and deep-sky objects will be observed, while the Perseid Meteor Shower will be visible to the naked eye beneath the clear skies of Topuklu Plateau. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to learn the finer points of astrophotography firsthand through accelerated courses organised under the guidance of the Ankara Astronomy Group.