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SUMMARY:O09 - Bringing Astronomy to the Public: The Development of “Star
 ry Night over Bangkok” and “Starry Night in the Park” as Innovative 
 Public Astronomy Engagement Programs
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20261123T081500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20261123T083000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20261112T140953Z
UID:indico-contribution-900@indico.narit.or.th
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: suparerk karuehanon (National Astronomical Research 
 Institute of Thailand (Public Organization))\nThe National Astronomical Re
 search Institute of Thailand (Public Organization) (NARIT) has developed a
 stronomy festivals under "Starry Night" series\, with the aim of bringing 
 astronomy beyond observatories into public spaces\, promoting science awar
 eness\, while supporting dark sky awareness and astrotourism.\n\nThese pro
 grams were designed as interactive Astronomy Festivals\, anticipating wide
  range of audience and interests featuring telescope observations\, naked-
 eye constellation tours\, astronomy exhibits\, hands-on workshops\, scienc
 e communication activities\, children's learning zones\, and public talks 
 by professional astronomers. The activity design emphasizes experiential l
 earning\, allowing participants of all ages to directly engage with astron
 omical phenomena in an informal learning environment.\n\nThe implementatio
 n has demonstrated remarkable public participation. The inaugural "Starry 
 Night over Bangkok" attracted more than 12\,000 participants\, while the s
 econd event welcomed over 36\,000 visitors\, making it one of the largest 
 stargazing event known worldwide. The activities successfully reached dive
 rse audiences\, including families\, students\, educators\, amateur astron
 omers\, tourists\, and the general public. Many additional spinoff series 
 emerged over other location under the name "Starry Night over..." has repl
 icated similar success in different cities at their respective scales.\n\n
 Beyond increasing public engagement in astronomy\, the programs have gener
 ated broader societal benefits by enhancing scientific awareness\, encoura
 ging STEM learning among young people\, strengthening family-based learnin
 g experiences\, promoting the conservation of dark skies\, and stimulating
  nighttime tourism and local economic activities. Furthermore\, the initia
 tives have fostered collaborations among scientific institutions\, local g
 overnments\, educational organizations\, private sectors\, and community n
 etworks.\n\nThe success of these programs demonstrates that public astrono
 my activities conducted in accessible urban and community spaces represent
  an effective model for science communication and public engagement. The a
 pproach offers a scalable framework that can be adapted by other regions t
 o promote informal science education\, sustainable astronomical tourism (A
 strotourism)\, and lifelong learning through meaningful public participati
 on.\n\nhttps://indico.narit.or.th/event/238/contributions/900/
LOCATION:Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu Resort Ballroom II
URL:https://indico.narit.or.th/event/238/contributions/900/
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