Middle school astronomy and science clubs on Oct. 15 and 22; Mapo-gu resident families on Oct. 23
First-come, first-served registration open through Seoul Metropolitan Government's public service reservation site
As cool autumn evenings settle in, families and young people in Seoul have a special opportunity to get closer to the stars.
Mapo-gu will run a special program titled "Autumn Constellations and the Stories of Stars" at the Mapo365 Observatory inside the Mapo365 Community Center in October.
The Mapo365 Observatory, located at 98 Tojong-ro, is a science and culture experience space where visitors can explore stars and the universe in the heart of the city. Since opening last year, it has drawn steady interest from residents through stargazing sessions, astronomy lectures and hands-on educational programs.
The special program will cover the defining constellations of autumn and the characteristics of stars, with activities including constellation chart-making, telescope practice and celestial observation. Separate sessions have been designed for middle school astronomy and science clubs and for Mapo-gu resident families, with each tailored to participants' level so that astronomy feels approachable and engaging.
The sessions for middle school astronomy and science clubs will be held Oct. 15 and 22. Each session accepts up to 25 students on a first-come, first-served basis. Only clubs of five to fewer than 25 members accompanied by a supervising teacher are eligible to apply.
The family program will run Oct. 23 for Mapo-gu resident families. Up to 10 households of four are accepted, with a minimum of two and a maximum of seven members per application. Applicants must submit a copy of their household registration, and only family members listed on that document may participate.
Registration is open on a first-come, first-served basis through the Seoul Metropolitan Government's public service reservation website. Participation fees range from 2,250 won to 4,500 won per person depending on the program and the applicant's place of residence; full pricing details and registration instructions are available on the reservation page.
The Mapo365 Observatory also runs a curriculum-linked program called "Starlight Astronomy Class" for local elementary school students and middle school science and astronomy clubs.
Sessions cover the characteristics and activity of the sun through classroom instruction, stargazing experiences and hands-on model-making. The program runs every Wednesday for 90 minutes through Nov. 25, with registration available on a first-come, first-served basis through the Seoul Metropolitan Government's public service reservation website.
Mapo-gu District Mayor Yoo Dong-gyun said he hopes residents will "create special memories looking up at the night sky with family, meeting the stars and the universe right here in the city on a cool autumn evening," adding that the district will continue to offer a range of science experiences "so that children's curiosity can grow into dreams for the future."
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