Observatories

Eyüboğlu Observatory was opened simultaneously with a symposium titled Basic Sciences in Secondary Education, held in academic year 1997-1998 in which various secondary schools and Astronomy and Space Sciences Departments of universities participated.

Throughout the process of establishing the observatories, academicians and technicians from Istanbul University ’s Astronomy and Space Sciences Department have been consulted and these experts have assisted Eyüboğlu to ensure that the observatories were constructed in accordance with the relevant scientific standards.

Starting with the first grade of Primay School all the way to the end of second grade of High School, all of Eyüboğlu students use the observatories in connection with the topics that they study in science, mathematics and geography classes.

The second observatory on the campus which was opened by the Minister of Education Metin Bostancıoğlu in academic year 1999-2000 is equipped with the same technical facilities as the first one.

Aims

Astronomy is an extensive natural science that covers various disciplines such as mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology. We believe that our students have benefited greatly from getting familiar with astronomy as a laboratory in which they apply the skills that they have developed in sciences and mathematics in the sense that they have been able to develop a broader scientific perspective.

Today, a great majority of the new generation is keenly interested in the advancing technology and space studies. In the astronomy studies that we conduct at Eyüboğlu our main aim is to introduce this science to our students and to enable them to develop an understanding of the relationships between various disciplines.

Astronomy is the only science that one can engage in as an amateur. In developed countries, the amateur astronomers provide valuable data to the scientists through their observations and thus contribute to the development of this discipline. The astronomy clubs at Eyüboğlu train the students who are interested in astronomy to become amateur astronomers.

Technical Equipment

The telescopes used in Eyüboğlu observatories are of MEADE brand, which is the best-selling trademark in this area throughout the world. With a mirror diameter of 30cm, these telescopes are used by many amateurs and professionals in different parts of the world. The telescopes can be used through manual or computer control. Eyüboğlu’s MEADE 12” LX200 telescope can be directed to any of the 65,000 celestial bodies in its memory with the single touch of a button and thanks to the software program that comes with it, renders it possible for the users to observe millions of celestial bodies. Telescopes are not complete by themselves. Efficient use of a telescope depends largely on the availability of various accessories. Eyüboğlu Observatories possess an extensive collection of accessories which makes it possible to conduct observations for a variety of purposes. Among such accessories is a CCD camera which allows the users to take digital photographs of celestial bodies, and to work on these images on the computer. The CCD camera also allows the users to determine the light variations in the stars and to conduct work on variable stars. With this camera, we are able to project the telescope images onto the large screen in Eyüboğlu Hall and show such images to an audience of 500 people. Furthermore, thanks to special filters, we are able to observe the sun and study the explosions and the spots on it.

The domes that protect Eyüboğlu observatories were purchased from ASH-DOME which is one of the most reputable dome suppliers in the world. The domes have been transported from the USA to Turkey via ship and have been assembled on Eyüboğlu campus. These domes of 3m-diameter accommodate five students at a time to work comfortably.

The observatories also accommodate a library which holds reference materials regarding astronomical observations as well as resources on astronomy and space sciences in general. Also available in the library are CDs which are shown to the students on the screens located in the observatories to allow computer-supported teaching.

Academic Work

Clubs

The Academic work involving the observatories includes two clubs within the scope of co-curricular activities and various activities that are held each year.

One of the clubs is the Space Photography Club in which the students in Grades 6, 7 and 8, after learning how to use the telescope, take photographs of celestial bodies by using the CCD camera. The other co-curricular activity involving the observatories is the AAVSO club in which the 8 th Grade and High School students can participate. In this club, the students observe variable stars and collect data for AAVSO (American Association of Variable Star Observers). For this purpose the students learn how to use the telescope and the software that they need to use while conducting observations. As well as developing information on variable stars, the students also make light curve analyses of the stars by using the skills that they have acquired in mathematics and physics classes.

Activities

Sky Fest

Every year in May, Eyüboğlu organizes a Sky Festival during which audiences consisting of students, parents and teachers find the opportunity to listen to the presentations of astronomy class students from High School Grade 2 and Science High School and to conduct night-time observations on the telescopes. Furthermore the primary school students are informed about space and celestial bodies in a planetarium environment.

Special Observations

At the beginning of each academic year, Eyüboğlu makes a list of the interesting space occurrences that will take place during that year and publishes it on its website. On those dates, special observations are organized in which students and parents can participate.

Class Observations

The students who take the astronomy class conduct observations every Friday evening, depending on the availability of the weather conditions. The Astronomy Club members determine their observation dates with their supervisor.

Community School Activities

Eyüboğlu Observatories are open to the use of community schools. However Eyüboğlu administration must be contacted and informed at the beginning of the academic year about the request of a community school to hold an activity in the observatories and must be informed about the aims, dates and the flow of the planned activity