Science museum runs English program for night observation
Visitors participate in an astronomical observation program at the planetarium of the Gwacheon National Science Museum in Gyeonggi Province. / Courtesy of Gwacheon National Science Museum
By Jun Ji-hye
The Gwacheon National Science Museum (GNSM) will begin an English astronomical observation program, dubbed “Starry Night,” for international visitors, the museum said Wednesday.
The first of these will take place Friday with the participation of 20 teachers from 10 international schools.
The museum has held similar programs, such as the monthly “The moon and star open observation event” and other weekend events for Koreans. This is the first time the museum is running a program for international residents.
The program will run at the planetarium and the observatory of the museum.
The planetarium, equipped with a large dome screen 25 meters in diameter, has the nation's first 8K-grade digital system. Participants can listen to a winter constellations guide and watch a movie there.
At the observatory, visitors can observe stars at night and even during daytime using the 1-meter reflective telescope and various types of mid-size telescopes. Visitors will be able to find the stars consisting of the Winter Triangle including Orion as well as the Orion Nebula and Pleiades Cluster, according to the museum.
The museum will also show how to handle a small telescope and let participants find celestial objects in the night sky outdoors.
The entire Starry Night program is conducted in English. Dr. Cho Jae-il at the GNSM, who received his Ph.D. in astronomy from Durham University in the United Kingdom, will guide the program.
The museum will run the program once a month, and on any other day as required by international schools and groups. The 90-minute program starts at 7:30 p.m.
Although it is for foreign individuals and groups, Koreans, who want English explanation, can also participate.
“We have prepared an observation program for an increasing number of international visitors,” said Bae Jae-ung, director of the GNSM. “We plan to expand the program upon demand.”
International schools and groups that wish to participate in the program can reserve a place via email ―
― two months in advance of the desired date.