The Astronomy Job Shadowing/Education Program, organized through the collaboration of the Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU) Astronomy Education Application and Research Center and the Türkiye Space Agency (TUA), was successfully completed with the participation of 21 students from different universities.

The five-day program began with an opening address and introductory presentation by Prof. Dr. Metin Yavuz, Director of the Astronomy Education Application and Research Center. Within the scope of the program, participants received on-site information about the observatory, telescope systems, and planetarium applications, while also undergoing both theoretical and practical training in the field of astronomy.

“Being here shows that you are stepping into a journey where curiosity, discovery, and knowledge come together”

Speaking at the opening of the training, Center Director Prof. Dr. Metin Yavuz stated:
“Welcome to this special Job Shadowing/Education Program organized by the OMU Astronomy Education Application and Research Center and the Türkiye Space Agency. Being here today shows that you are stepping not only into an educational process but also into a journey where curiosity, discovery, and knowledge come together. Our aim is not only to provide you with theoretical knowledge, but also to offer you the opportunity to closely experience how a real astronomy center operates, to observe the daily routine of a scientist, and to understand the interdisciplinary approach in this field.”

Numerous activities carried out throughout the training

On the first day of the program, a creative drama-based introduction activity, a seminar on the introduction to astronomy, and a planetarium show were held. When weather conditions allowed, bright celestial bodies such as the Moon, Jupiter, and Saturn were observed using telescopes. On the second day, presentations on light pollution, constellations, and the Solar System were delivered, and scientific observation practices were carried out at the observatory.

On the third day, the program continued with sessions titled “Powers of Ten,” an introduction to astrophotography, basic astrophysics concepts, and “How Do We Obtain Information from the Universe?”, followed by a social activity held around a campfire. On the fourth day, the motions of the Sun–Earth–Moon system and the gravitational models of Newton and Einstein were discussed. On the final day of the program, applied training sessions were conducted on solar observation, observation planning, sundials and analemma drawing, as well as science communication.

The program concluded with a general evaluation by Prof. Dr. Metin Yavuz, and it was announced that participation certificates would be issued by the Türkiye Space Agency to students who fulfilled the participation requirements.