Lost in space: Antalya reveals futuristic plans
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Anatolia News Agency
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Mart 10, 2009 00:00
ANTALYA - Good news for aficionados of space sciences in Antalya, as the Akdeniz University prepares a couple of projects to raise the attention toward the subject. With a planetarium to be built in the city, people will have the chance to know more about planets, meteorites, say, the galaxy
Plans to build a planetarium at Akdeniz University are underway, assistant professor Mustafa Helvacı told the Anatolian news agency.
The project will be proposed to the State Planning Organization, or DPT, as part of an effort to create a faculty of astronomy and space sciences at the university, Helvacı said, adding that investing in space sciences is important for a country’s future and economy and as a way to increase its population of educated people. He said "space sciences" are not just about planets, but also deal with rocket science, satellite technologies and atmospheric and climate research.
"This is being done around the world through planetariums Ğ movie theaters featuring projectors with the highest resolution and special sound systems and a screen that is not in front, but on the ceiling," Helvacı said, adding that planetarium visitors have the sensation of being in space. "We may present the structure of a meteorite or the clash of it as a simulation. How can we describe the rotation of the galaxy, for example, to a child? With a planetarium we can transfer the philosophy of science and its excitement to children."
Even Trinidad and Tobago have them
Helvacı said developed countries have given great importance to planetariums, noting that the foundation of Harvard University is based on a planetarium. He described planetariums as "scientific incubators for countries" and said the list of countries in the world with space technology would coincide with those with the most planetariums.
Turkey’s only planetarium is a military one in Tuzla, which is used for navigational training for the navy. "Their numbers must increase," Helvacı said, noting that Gaziantep University is also working on building a planetarium with the aid of the Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality. "There are more than 3,500 planetariums in the world. The number in Germany is approximately 800. Can you point to Trinidad and Tobago on the map? There are two planetariums even there."
Programs for students
The Akdeniz University project will be presented to the DPT in June, Helvacı said. The plans call for summer-school programs to be held at the planetarium, as well as classes for students preparing to enter astronomy faculties.
Students attending these programs will receive a certificate, added the Assstant Professor, adding he hopes the project will make more young people interested in science.
Akdeniz University is gearing up for the first "zero gravity" experience in Turkey, according to an assistant professor at the university. Mustafa Helvacı said the university will open the Astronomy and Space Sciences department soon, and that new projects would be launched in order to draw attention on the astral sciences. "Zero G" is one of those projects.
One can "have the gravity-free experience without going to space," said Helvacı. The project will take place in an airplane that will fly from Antalya to Paris.
"That flight needs to be intercontinental," said Helvacı. "Right now we need to solve the financial aspect of the project."
Another project will be bringing an astronaut to Turkey.
"We want to welcome an astronaut in Antalya, to arrange a meeting with him at the university. We want to have people come together at the university," Helvacı said.
Helvacı said Antalya is famous abroad and the university should catch up to the city’s reputation. "We should raise Akdeniz University’s quality to international standards," he said.
The project will be proposed to the State Planning Organization, or DPT, as part of an effort to create a faculty of astronomy and space sciences at the university, Helvacı said, adding that investing in space sciences is important for a country’s future and economy and as a way to increase its population of educated people. He said "space sciences" are not just about planets, but also deal with rocket science, satellite technologies and atmospheric and climate research.
"This is being done around the world through planetariums Ğ movie theaters featuring projectors with the highest resolution and special sound systems and a screen that is not in front, but on the ceiling," Helvacı said, adding that planetarium visitors have the sensation of being in space. "We may present the structure of a meteorite or the clash of it as a simulation. How can we describe the rotation of the galaxy, for example, to a child? With a planetarium we can transfer the philosophy of science and its excitement to children."
Even Trinidad and Tobago have them
Helvacı said developed countries have given great importance to planetariums, noting that the foundation of Harvard University is based on a planetarium. He described planetariums as "scientific incubators for countries" and said the list of countries in the world with space technology would coincide with those with the most planetariums.
Turkey’s only planetarium is a military one in Tuzla, which is used for navigational training for the navy. "Their numbers must increase," Helvacı said, noting that Gaziantep University is also working on building a planetarium with the aid of the Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality. "There are more than 3,500 planetariums in the world. The number in Germany is approximately 800. Can you point to Trinidad and Tobago on the map? There are two planetariums even there."
Programs for students
The Akdeniz University project will be presented to the DPT in June, Helvacı said. The plans call for summer-school programs to be held at the planetarium, as well as classes for students preparing to enter astronomy faculties.
Students attending these programs will receive a certificate, added the Assstant Professor, adding he hopes the project will make more young people interested in science.
Akdeniz University is gearing up for the first "zero gravity" experience in Turkey, according to an assistant professor at the university. Mustafa Helvacı said the university will open the Astronomy and Space Sciences department soon, and that new projects would be launched in order to draw attention on the astral sciences. "Zero G" is one of those projects.
One can "have the gravity-free experience without going to space," said Helvacı. The project will take place in an airplane that will fly from Antalya to Paris.
"That flight needs to be intercontinental," said Helvacı. "Right now we need to solve the financial aspect of the project."
Another project will be bringing an astronaut to Turkey.
"We want to welcome an astronaut in Antalya, to arrange a meeting with him at the university. We want to have people come together at the university," Helvacı said.
Helvacı said Antalya is famous abroad and the university should catch up to the city’s reputation. "We should raise Akdeniz University’s quality to international standards," he said.