See universe through telescope

Hurriyet Daily News with wires

Telescopes at the AU Observatory will be open to the public throughout the year and presentations and observations will be organized for schools and institutions. Aiming to enable everyone to see the universe through a telescope at least once, the observatory will open telescopes from April 2 to 5 as part of the "100 Hours of Astronomy" program.

The observatory will also organize a five-day "Sky Observation Festival" in August, and continue its "Public Day" activities from March.

400th year of telescope use
This year marks the 400th anniversary of Galileo Galilei's groundbreaking observations of the night sky, which led to the discovery of the moons of Jupiter, the phases of Venus and other evidence that established the foundations of modern astronomy. More than 130 countries have signed on to raise public awareness about astronomy's past, present and future during the International Year of Astronomy, which officially opened at a meeting in Paris on Jan. 14.

Galilei was an Italian natural philosopher, astronomer and mathematician who made fundamental contributions to the sciences of motion, astronomy, strength of materials and to the development of the scientific method. In January 1610 he discovered four moons that revolved around Jupiter. He also found that the telescope showed many more stars than are visible with the naked eye.

Further information about the 2009 International Year of Astronomy, also know as DAY 2009, can be reached through www.astronomy2009.org. The activity program of the AU Observatory can be viewed at http://rasathane.ankara.edu.tr/day2009.