"In Pursuit of Star Dust" Exhibition Opens

Opening of "In Pursuit of Stardust" Exhibition Held with Participation of Turkish Space Agency President The opening of the "In Pursuit of Stardust" exhibition, prepared by Gökmen Space Aviation Education Center (GUHEM), one of the world's leading centers in space and aviation, with the aim of increasing space awareness, took place with the participation of Turkish Space Agency (TUA) President Serdar Hüseyin Yıldırım. TUA President Serdar Hüseyin Yıldırım stated that one of the strategic objectives of the National Space Program is to increase space awareness in society, saying, "Great endeavors begin with great visions. GUHEM is a wonderful example serving this purpose." The "In Pursuit of Stardust" exhibition, featuring sky photographs by accomplished astrophotographers, opened its doors at GUHEM, Turkey's first interactive education center themed on space and aviation. The opening ceremony of the astrophotography exhibition prepared by GUHEM and set up in an 800 m² area was attended by TUA President Serdar Hüseyin Yıldırım, Bursa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BTSO) Board Chairman İbrahim Burkay, Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Mayor Murat Demir, Bursa Uludağ University Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Saim Kılavuz, Bursa Technical University Rector Prof. Dr. Arif Karademir, BTSO Board Members, and the astrophotographers whose works are featured in the exhibition. Speaking at the exhibition opening ceremony, TUA President Serdar Hüseyin Yıldırım noted that they have supported the GUHEM project from day one and emphasized that the center has made very important contributions to the mission of creating space awareness in society. Expressing that they have embarked on the path with the slogan "Those without a mark in space have no voice in the world," President Yıldırım continued: "Our National Space Program contains 10 strategic objectives. Among these, one of the objectives we consider most important is increasing space awareness in society. GUHEM is a wonderful example serving this purpose. As an agency, we have supported this center from the beginning and will continue to do so." Noting the importance of the exhibition opened at GUHEM in creating space awareness in society, Yıldırım said, "Astrophotography is a challenging work requiring special expertise. It cannot be achieved as easily as ordinary photography; it requires serious effort. First and foremost, a sky without light pollution is needed. Our country has significant light pollution. As TUA, we are planning to implement a project with the goal of creating parks in our cities without light pollution. We will share this with all metropolitan municipalities in the very near future. In these parks or in places without light pollution, magnificent photographs like those in the exhibition we opened today will be obtained, and the splendor of space will be revealed. I thank everyone who contributed to the exhibition and the artists." Stating that GUHEM is the product of an important vision, Yıldırım noted that he has witnessed firsthand the great effort Bursa Chamber of Commerce and Industry Board Chairman İbrahim Burkay has put into the project, saying, "The GUHEM project is a very important vision. I am very grateful to BTSO Board Chairman İbrahim Burkay in this regard. Great endeavors begin with great visions. Here too, they set out with a vision. They worked with the right team. GUHEM, realized in Bursa under the leadership of İbrahim Burkay, through the cooperation of BTSO and Bursa Metropolitan Municipality, with the support of our Ministry of Industry and Technology and TÜBİTAK, was brought to Bursa. I thank everyone who contributed to this center. Centers like GUHEM will broaden the horizons of our young people and when our children see this center, they will think bigger," he said. BTSO Board Chairman İbrahim Burkay said that GUHEM is a center of awareness. Noting that Turkey, which aims to be among the world's largest economies, should have a say in space and aviation, he stated, "We need centers like GUHEM to increase awareness on this matter. The fact that GUHEM, which began as a vision, is today one of the world's top five centers in space and aviation is a matter of great pride for us. Both our Metropolitan Municipality and TÜBİTAK made very valuable contributions to the project. One of our project's greatest supporters is our Turkish Space Agency. These centers are an important playing field especially for work related to space and aviation. TUA President Serdar Hüseyin Yıldırım has been one of our most important supporters from the beginning of the project. I am very grateful to our President," he said. GUHEM General Director Halit Mirahmetoğlu said, "GUHEM is a very important institution for creating space awareness. Every day we welcome thousands of visitors. Beyond that, we have important work related to astronomy. In the 'In Pursuit of Stardust' exhibition, we are trying to explain how we see the stars. I am very grateful to BTSO, Bursa Metropolitan Municipality, our Ministry of Industry and Technology, and TÜBİTAK for their support of our exhibition," he said. Following the opening remarks, BTSO Board Chairman İbrahim Burkay and GUHEM General Director Halit Mirahmetoğlu presented a photograph of the Sun signed by Murat Sana from the exhibition to TUA President Serdar Hüseyin Yıldırım. After the program, protocol members toured the exhibition and received information from Halit Mirahmetoğlu about the photographs. The "In Pursuit of Stardust" exhibition will remain open at GUHEM for 6 months. The exhibition can be visited between 10:00-17:30, except on Mondays. Source