The Gangseo Byeolbit Space Science Center (Director Sim Jae-hyun), operated by the Gangseo-gu Office in Seoul (Mayor Jin Kyo-hoon), will run an ‘Urban Space Experience’ program throughout August, offering residents a chance to explore the mysteries of the universe in the heart of the city during the summer vacation and holiday season. The lineup includes a Perseid meteor shower viewing event, a lecture marking the 20th anniversary of Pluto’s demotion, a family astronomy lecture and a children’s vacation class, and is expected to draw children on summer break as well as families.
 [코리안투데이] Poster for the Gangseo Byeolbit Space Science Center’s August program © 송정숙 기자 |
The program generating the most buzz is ‘Watching Meteors, Mind Blank,’ set for 7:50 p.m. on the 13th in the planetarium hall. Visitors will watch the Perseid meteor shower streaming live from the night sky above Hawaii’s Mauna Kea — renowned as one of the world’s premier astronomical observation sites — projected on a large screen with musical accompaniment. The event promises a unique experience, letting people take in the spectacle of a meteor shower without leaving the city.
On the 22nd and 23rd at 11:30 a.m., a lecture titled ‘Who Killed Pluto’ will be held. Marking the 20th anniversary of Pluto’s loss of planetary status and reclassification as a dwarf planet, the talk will retrace the scientific debate that led to the decision, with Sim Jae-hyun, director of the Gangseo Byeolbit Space Science Center, serving as the lecturer. By presenting a long-running astronomical controversy in accessible terms, the session is expected to draw interest from adult visitors as well.
 [코리안투데이] Poster for the ‘Who Killed Pluto’ lecture © 송정숙 기자 |
At 5:50 p.m. on the 22nd, ‘The Story of Observatories and Telescopes’ will trace the history of humanity’s observation of the universe through observatories and telescopes. Starting at 7:30 p.m., a ‘Night Public Observation’ session will be held in the science center’s front yard, open to anyone without prior reservation, giving visitors the chance to observe the surface of the moon directly through a telescope.
Educational programs for families and children are also notable. The ‘Children’s Vacation Class,’ running for six sessions on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays over two weeks starting August 5, will cover the astronomical history left behind by earlier generations — from prehistoric constellations to sundials of the Joseon Dynasty — alongside hands-on craft and experiential activities tailored to different grade levels.
As demand for science education content for children grows every year during school vacations, observers note it is meaningful that a local public institution offers an ongoing program combining astronomical observation with historical events in the middle of the city, giving families a way to nurture scientific curiosity without relying on private academies.
Gangseo-gu Mayor Jin Kyo-hoon said, “With August marking the summer vacation season, we have prepared a diverse range of programs so that residents can experience the mysteries of the universe firsthand, right here in the city.” He added, “We will continue to expand rewarding and meaningful educational opportunities so that children can freely grow their dreams and curiosity about science.”
Detailed schedules for each program and applications to participate can be found on the Gangseo Byeolbit Space Science Center website (https://gsbyeolbit.kr). For further inquiries, contact the Gangseo-gu Office Education Support Division (02-2600-6938) or the Gangseo Byeolbit Space Science Center (02-2661-3346).
송정숙 기자 | gangseo@thekoreantoday.com
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