The 3rd Darısekisi Sky Observation Event Was Held in a Festive Atmosphere with Mersin Metropolitan Municipality

The traditional 3rd Darısekisi Sky Observation Event was once again organized this year by Mersin Metropolitan Municipality at Darısekisi Model Village. Hundreds of citizens flocked to the event to witness the spectacular natural phenomenon, with dozens of meteors observed streaking through the atmosphere. Activities designed for participants of all ages were also met with great enthusiasm. For the Perseid Meteor Shower, which occurs annually from mid-July through August 15, the Climate Change and Zero Waste Department invited citizens this year with the slogan, “You are invited to an unforgettable night under thousands of stars.” Thousands of people from Mersin answered the call, gathering in Darısekisi to experience and enjoy this spectacular celestial event together.

Space enthusiasts of all ages came together at the Metropolitan Municipality’s event

As part of the event held at the Model Village, the program began with a presentation titled “From the Big Bang to Today: The Story of the Universe.” The event took on a festive atmosphere with popular songs performed by the Mersin Metropolitan Municipality City Orchestra. The organizers also made sure to include younger participants, bringing children of all ages together through a variety of fun, space-themed workshops.

Local businesses from Mersin also accompanied the guests with a selection of delicious food, beverages, fruits, and vegetables. Metropolitan Municipality astronomers were on hand to answer participants’ questions and satisfy their curiosity about space through Deep-Sky Observations with Telescopes, Perseid Meteor Shower Observations, Sky and Constellation Talks, and Astronomy Conversations with Expert Astronomers. The event continued until midnight, allowing everyone from children to adults to enjoy the meteor shower to the fullest and leaving participants in awe throughout the night. In addition to the meteor shower, Saturn, which can also be seen with the naked eye, was observed through telescopes by the participants.

Ezici: “We conducted deep-sky observations with telescopes”

Duygu Ezici, Head of the MERCAN 100th Anniversary Climate and Environment Science Center, noted that the “3rd Darısekisi Sky Observation Event” took place in an atmosphere resembling a festival, saying:

“This event can be observed very well from Darısekisi, which is why we are here. This is one of the areas with the lowest levels of light pollution. Today, we brought our citizens together with science and the night sky through our telescopes, workshops, concerts, and presentations. We are very happy that the event has been so comprehensive and well attended. There is a huge crowd and tremendous excitement here today.”

Emphasizing that they conducted deep-sky observations with telescopes, Ezici added:

“We observed star clusters and Saturn here. Our citizens also witnessed the Perseid meteor shower with the naked eye. Every time a meteor streaked across the sky, the crowd erupted in applause. We shared this happiness with the people of Mersin. We also hope that every wish made by the people of Mersin upon seeing a shooting star comes true.”

Dr. Karslı: “There was tremendous interest in the 3rd Darısekisi Sky Observation Event”

Dr. Yonca Karslı, an astronomer and Education Coordinator at the MERCAN 100th Anniversary Climate and Environment Science Center, said that they had gathered on the night of August 12–13 to observe the Perseid meteor shower and held the “3rd Darısekisi Sky Observation Event.”

Dr. Karslı said:

“Participation has been high and interest has been tremendous, which is very exciting for us. This evening, we first gave a presentation about the journey of the universe from its origins to the present day. We also learned about the celestial objects we observed through telescopes during the event. There was no Moon in the sky tonight, which provided excellent conditions for observing the meteor shower. We conducted deep-sky observations and observed star clusters and binary star systems.”

Dr. Karslı also noted that Saturn rose at around 11:30 p.m., after which they turned their telescopes toward the planet. Providing information about the workshops held at the event, she said:

“We have seven different workshops based on astronomy. Our participants had a wonderful time taking part in them. We also had a concert, where people enjoyed the music while observing the night sky. As the night progressed, they had the opportunity to observe the meteor shower.”

Expressing their happiness at helping foster an interest in the night sky and astronomy, particularly among children, through the MERCAN 100th Anniversary Climate and Environment Science Center, Dr. Karslı said:

“The feedback has been very positive. Even after the presentation, students come up to us and say, ‘We want to become astronauts.’ They ask incredible questions about the universe. Seeing this level of interest and receiving such a positive response to our work makes us very happy.”

Children witnessed an unforgettable night under thousands of stars

Muhammed Duran, one of the young participants, said that he watched the meteor shower:

“We observed meteors and a comet. I had watched them before, and it is a wonderful feeling. The atmosphere here is great. We are having so much fun.”

Zeynep Su Yaz said she was very excited about the event and had arrived in Darısekisi early with her family:

“It is such a fun and beautiful place. I watched a meteor shower for the first time in my life. A shooting star just passed by and it was beautiful, so I made a wish. We love you, Uncle Vahap!”

Ozan Akgür spoke about the many different activity areas available at the event, while Ada Turan said she had participated in the galaxy workshop:

“The atmosphere is wonderful. I am very happy. We also saw shooting stars and made wishes.”

Defne Yılmazcan, who attended the event with her sibling, said she had a lot of fun and participated in many different activities:

“I had never watched a meteor shower before. I made a wish. I hope everyone who makes a wish has it come true.”

Ayşenaz Yaz said the activities and performances were very entertaining:

“I watched the stars and made a wish. Thank you, Uncle Vahap.”

İpek Günaydın said:

“There are activities here and music is playing. We watched the stars. All the workshops were wonderful. I made a galaxy with a 3D pen at one of the workshops. I love the sky and the planets. I wished for a cat someday.”

Nurcan Arıkan, one of the local residents who opened a stall at the event, said:

“Sales went well. We sold fruits such as figs, pears, and cornelian cherries. I am from Darısekisi Neighborhood. It is wonderful that this place has been designated as a Model Village. It contributes to our village, and we are able to make use of our own products. I hope everyone’s wishes come true.”

Video of the news report:

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