2 telescopes and their equipment were purchased with a project given to Istanbul Development Agency under the coordination of Asst. Prof. Ayşin Kaplansayı, the director of Istanbul Aydın University Children's University, three years ago. It was decided to establish an Observatory within our University with the supports of Dr. Mustafa Aydın, the President of the Board of Trustees, Rector Prof. Dr. Yadigar İZMİRLİ and Prof. Dr. Hamide ERTEPINAR, the dean of the Faculty of Education. The building of Observatory was completed on November 2016 and started its activities on 27 November 2016.
Later, an application was made to Turkish Astronomical Society for corporate membership and it was accepted on 2 March 2016.
The facilities of the University and Observatory were evaluated adequate and the application was made with the aim of establishing Astronomy Application and Research Center (GÖKMER). After the Council of Higher Education's approval, its establishment was completed. Prof. Dr. Orhan GÖLBAŞI was appointed as the first director of GÖKMER.
One of the aims of GÖKMER was establishing Istanbul Aydın University Astronomy Club, and this aim was accomplished on April 2016.
The Observatory serves all students of both Istanbul University and Istanbul Aydın University's Children University. In addition to this, schools from pre-school to high school in Istanbul can benefit from the services of the Observatory all year-round by getting an appointment.
Our Telescopes and their features are as follows:
1. MEADE 14" LX850 ACF
Technical Features:
Optical System: ACF - Catadioptric (with lens and mirror)
Tube System: UHTC coated ACF optical tube system
Optical Calibre: 355mm
Focal Length/f: 2845mm. f/8
Aiming Sight: 8x50 mm
Teach Pendant: Autostar II
Ocular Magnification: HD-60 25mm premium ocular
2. MEADE ETX-LS "LightSwitch" 152cm (6") f/10.
Technical Features:
Optical System: ACF – Catadioptric (with lens and mirror)
Tube System: UHCT coated ETX - LS Telescope
ACF optical tube system
Optical Calibre: 152mm – Focal Length/f: 1524mm
Aiming Sight: LNT (Red Dot)
Teach Pendant: Autostar III
Ocular Magnification: 4000 range Super Plossl 26mm ocular.
3. CORONADO – SolarMaxII 60 mm
