Looking at the Universe from Incheon Group Photo

The Center for Science and Culture in Incheon (Director: Han Ki-soon, Professor at INU Department of Creative Human Resource Development) successfully hosted the program “Looking at the Universe from Incheon” on Saturday, September 13, in cooperation with the Center for Science and Culture in Chungbuk. The event was held at Yeongjong Sky Library in Incheon, targeting local citizens and youth. A total of 14 families (50 participants) took part, experiencing a unique science and culture program through telescope assembly and celestial observation.

This program was part of an inter-regional initiative between local science and culture hubs, designed to expand the national science and technology network and foster the growth of future scientific talent. By leveraging the unique characteristics and strengths of each region’s resources, the program aimed to support differentiated activities at each center while strengthening inter-regional cooperation. This collaborative approach not only broadens the base of science culture in the local community but also provides a platform where various generations can come together to share in the value of science and technology.

Looking at the Universe from Incheon

The event began with a lecture on astronomy and the universe by Professor Park Byung-jun, Director of the Center for Science and Culture in Chungbuk (Professor of Physics at Korea National University of Transportation and Director of the Chungju Children’s Science Museum). Participants then learned the structure and operation of telescopes and assembled them themselves. They were able to observe celestial bodies using their own telescopes, deepening their understanding of how telescopes work and sparking scientific curiosity in a meaningful way.

The event, which began in the afternoon, continued late into the night, building excitement as the evening progressed. Participants used the telescopes they assembled to observe constellations and solar system objects, discovering the mysteries of the universe that are invisible to the naked eye. Families who participated showed enthusiastic engagement, and the venue was filled with laughter and awe. The overwhelming interest in the program was evident, as registration closed within just one minute of opening, clearly reflecting the high demand for science culture experiences on Yeongjongdo and the active participation of citizens.

One participant shared, “Seeing stars and Saturn through a telescope allowed me and my children to vividly experience the wonder of the universe,” adding, “Seeing celestial bodies in real life, not just in books or videos, made science feel much closer.” Another said, “Following the starlight to find the brightest star and seeing Saturn was an unforgettable moment in my life.”

Han Ki-soon, Director of the Center for Science and Culture in Incheon and Professor at INU’s Department of Creative Human Resource Development, stated, “It was meaningful to host an event where we could observe the stars and enjoy science culture with citizens in Yeongjongdo,” and added, “We hope this program expands the network of the Center for Science and Culture in Incheon and contributes to the growth of future science and technology talent.”

The Center will also operate a free telescope rental program for citizens who participated in the “Looking at the Universe from Incheon” event. From September 24 (Wednesday) to October 28 (Tuesday), a total of 12 families will be able to borrow telescopes. Through this program, citizens will have the opportunity to observe the wonders of the night sky—constellations, the moon, planets—right from home, enjoying the marvels of the universe and deepening their understanding of astronomy and space science.

Since 2021, the Center for Science and Culture in Incheon has been operated by the INU Institute for Science-Gifted Education (www.inuisge.kr

) and has been carrying out a variety of programs to spread science culture and bridge educational gaps in the local community. Last year alone, the Center collaborated with 90 local institutions and served over 170,000 Incheon citizens, firmly establishing itself as a regional science and culture hub.

The Center’s programs are supported by the Science and Technology Promotion Fund and the Lottery Fund, with sponsorship from the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Foundation for the Advancement of Science and Creativity (KOFAC). These efforts aim to expand public access to science culture—including for underserved communities—and contribute to the broader development of science and technology in Korea.