Afyonkarahisar to Host 28th Sky Observation Event in August 2026

Turkey’s Afyonkarahisar Governor’s Office, in partnership with TÜBİTAK and other agencies, is preparing the 28th Gökyüzü Gözlem Etkinliği (Sky Observation Event) for 12‑15 August 2026. The four‑day programme will take place at Emre Lake, a remote site noted for its clear, dark skies and ideal viewing conditions.

The event is free and open to anyone interested in astronomy. Applicants must register online by 23:59 UTC on 26 July 2026, after which participants are selected by a lottery. Activities include daytime science talks, workshops, experiments and solar observations, followed by nighttime sessions with professional telescopes to view planets, star clusters, nebulae, galaxies and the peak of the Perseid meteor shower. Participants are encouraged to bring personal camping gear and observation equipment, and basic camp facilities such as showers and restrooms will be provided.

Organisers emphasize safety guidelines, including the use of red‑light headlamps to preserve night‑vision conditions.