BİLİM VE AMATÖR ASTRONOMİ KULÜBÜ

SCIENCE AND AMATEUR ASTRONOMY CLUB ASSOCIATION (BAAK)

Founded November 30, 2016 • Bursa, Turkey

🎯 Vision & Mission

Vision: To achieve a society where all individuals are scientifically literate.

Mission: To design and implement all kinds of popular science activities such as observations, seminars, demonstrations, and meetings to contribute to the establishment of scientific culture in our society. Through popular science events such as experiments, observations, seminars, and demonstrations, BAAK aims to increase interest in science by connecting the public with science and astronomy.

📖 About BAAK

Founded on November 30, 2016, the Science and Amateur Astronomy Club Association (BAAK) is a civil society organization operating in Bursa, aiming to spread the culture of science in society. Since its establishment, our club has carried out countless activities that have introduced thousands of our citizens, from ages 7 to 70, to the sky through telescope observations and connected them with science.

Our Impact:

  • 9+ Years Active
  • 270+ Volunteers
  • 10.000+ Citizens Reached

“When we see citizens looking through the lens for the first time at Venus and unable to hide their astonishment by saying, ‘but this looks like the moon,’ we continue to gladly organize this challenging public service event that requires effort.”

🎯 Goals & Objectives

🔭 Astronomy & Popular Science

Introduce the public to astronomy and popular science through sky observations and various training programs.

🔬 Citizen Science Projects

Implement Citizen Science Projects and organize joint events with other institutions.

🎨 Science Through Arts

Work on the philosophy of science, conduct research on science culture, and spread science through artistic/street events.

🌌 Dark Sky Initiatives

Develop Dark Sky Park projects, combat light pollution, and promote astronomical preservation.

🏛️ Institutional Development

Obtain non-profit association status and organize traditional events like Atatürk Commemoration and Science Walk.

🌟 Current Activities & Programs

🔬 Citizen Science Initiative

Historic Achievement: BAAK made a first in Turkey by ensuring that Nilüfer Municipality committed to a Science Policy. We have designated Nilüfer Municipality as a pilot to implement the first efficient successful examples of citizen science in our country.

🎤 Public Science Podium

The conference halls of the Nilüfer Associations Campus are named “Public Science Podium,” where experts and amateurs give presentations on popular science topics.

Recent 2024 Presentations:

  • “Space Security” by Arif Bozdemir
  • “Basic Astronomy Education” by Taner Göçer
  • “3D Printers” practical presentation by İsmail Tinç
  • “Space Law” by H. Vedat Atacan
  • “Dark Sky Parks” by Fevzi Çetin
  • “Travel in Space and Time” by Tolga Dıraz
  • “Telescope Making and Telescopes” workshop with Atila Tınkılıç
  • “Ancient Cities in Bursa and Surroundings” by Canan Bilgi
  • “Students’ Science Success” by Zeynep Rodoper
  • “Satellite Technologies from Past to Present” by Sedat Gökmenoğlu

🔭 Observation Events

Our observation events, carried out in different open areas of the city both at night and during the day, are met with great interest. We contribute to increasing the interest of hundreds of children, young people, and elderly astronomy enthusiasts in science and astronomy.

🏛️ Osmangazi Public Science Meetings

The Osmangazi Public/Village Science Meetings Event Series is carried out in cooperation with BAAK and Osmangazi Municipality, ongoing for 10 months. Its main purpose is to transform the people of Osmangazi into a science-loving community and to make Osmangazi Square Turkey’s first “Science Square.”

Events include: Perseid Meteor Shower observations, Grape Harvest science activities, Equinox celebrations, and “Science in the Light of the Republic” programs.

🏔️ Traditional Uludağ Observation & Sunrise Event

This traditional event is held every July in Çobankaya. The evening telescope planet observation has become a focal point of interest not only for our participants but also for campers and day visitors.

🚀 Ongoing & Planned Projects

📱 SAIKE Project

Scientific research on street lighting’s role in light pollution. Designed with Bursa Governor’s Office support.

💡 Dark Sky Friendly Luminaire Design

Design competition planned with Municipality, EMO, and ATMK Lighting National Committee.

🏢 Nilüfer Science Centre Project

Initiative to establish a civil science center with municipal support, included in Nilüfer Municipality Strategic Plan.

🎓 STEM Panel Symposium

STEM-themed symposiums designed to become a brand in Bursa. Ongoing stakeholder meetings with BTSO, BUTGEM, and Nilüfer Municipality.

🌟 Atatürk Science March

National Atatürk Commemoration and Science March planned for the anniversary of his death.

🎨 Space-Themed Arts Contest

Poetry and painting contest for middle and high school students with space and astronomy themes.

📅 Regular Programs & Services

🌙 Monthly Sky Observations

Routine monthly observations to share the beauties of the sky with all citizens and arouse scientific interest.

🎤 Regular Seminars

Various seminars by different experts and researchers on popular science topics.

🏫 School-Based Programs

Seminars and observations for school students and teachers, tailored to curriculum requirements.

🏘️ Village Observation Series

“Our Spectacular Sky Villages” event series in cooperation with village leaders.

📜 Foundation & Development Story

🌟 Establishment Story

The history of our association extends back to Hasip Sönmezalp, who received The Golden Hammer Award from the USA in 1954 with a telescope he made himself. Bursa is a fortunate city in terms of astronomy, and Sönmezalp’s leadership was instrumental in the proliferation of amateur astronomers in our city.

November 30, 2016: Founded by 16 science-enthusiastic citizens, making BAAK only the second amateur astronomy club association as a non-governmental organization in Turkey .

🏷️ Name Evolution

  • 2016: Bursa Amateur Astronomy Club Association (BAAK)
  • 2021: Science and Amateur Astronomy Club Association (Bilim ve Amatör Astronomi Kulübü Derneği)
    • Reason: To eliminate perception limitations and reflect our broader scientific mission.

💬 Community Voice

A 15-year-old volunteer’s testimony:

“I have been interested in space since I was a child. As I got older, I started to see it more as science, different ideas, new information, and a profession that I want to do in the future… When people asked me ‘what do you want to be when you grow up?’ and I answered ‘astrophysicist,’ I did not mind that they looked at me with their cynical and condescending attitude. Because I have never given up on what I do out of love and I never will… I want to join our club with a great desire for the love of astronomy as big and endless as the space inside me.”

This testimony reflects the fundamental impact our association has on inspiring the next generation of scientists and researchers.

🏢 Organization

🏠 Association Office

BAAK has its own office in the Nilüfer Association Campus, serving as both an administrative center and a venue for various activities.

👥 Volunteer Network

270+ Active Volunteers communicate through WhatsApp groups, sharing knowledge and feelings about astronomy and science.

📱 Digital Presence

  • 🌐 Website: Visited by dozens and hundreds of science enthusiasts daily
  • 📘 Instagram: Primary tool for reaching volunteers and announcing events
  • 📺 YouTube: Interview videos and online event content
  • 📸 Instagram: Visual updates and behind-the-scenes content

📝 Our Philosophy

In line with the founding philosophy of our association, we carry out activities motivated by “doing good.” Our informative presentations organized under “Public Science Platform,” public telescope observations in parks, villages, and squares, traditional observation and summit events in Uludağ, university student courses, and all other popular science activities directly support our goals of contributing to the establishment of science culture in society, sharing the beauty of the sky with citizens, stimulating scientific curiosity, and increasing scientific literacy.

Our Concrete Achievements:

  • Leading role in Bursa Dark Sky Park establishment
  • Pioneering Science Policy Document with Nilüfer Municipality
  • Comprehensive light pollution research and mapping
  • Thousands of citizens introduced to astronomy and science

These intense and diverse activity programs demonstrate that the Science and Amateur Astronomy Club Association actively embodies its founding philosophy with an amateur spirit and a sense of service to the community.

📞 Contact Information

📍 Address: Nilüfer Belediyesi Dernekler Yerleşkesi Konak Mahallesi, Seçkin Sokak, 23/1 PK: 244 16110 Nilüfer/BURSA TURKEY

📞 Phone: +90 532 361 8031 +90 538 278 59 04 +90 532 361 80 31 (0224) 451 9920

🌐 Online Presence:

  • Website: http://baak.org.tr/
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bursabaak/
  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baak_astronomi_kulubu/
  • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCikW2NyfJ1ulHpMq8vHrtWg/videos

🌟 Join Our Mission

We invite all citizens, from seven to seventy, to join our club and be part of Turkey’s leading science and astronomy community!