Gwacheon science museum to host night sky festival on Oct. 10

The National Gwacheon Science Museum will open a special night-sky observation event on Oct. 10, combining reading, music and astronomy at its observatory grounds.

The event, titled "The Era That Needs Books – Special Observation Night," runs from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Under the theme "Turn the Page, and the Universe Opens," the program places reading under starlight alongside telescope observation and conversations with authors and science communicators.

A "Starlight Reading Garden" on the train lawn will offer air beanbags and reading lamps, with about 130 book titles exhibited in cooperation with the Korean Federation of Science and Technology Publications.

At the observatory and the Nuriho plaza, visitors will observe major celestial bodies including Saturn and hear explanations of the October night sky.

In the planetarium, astronomer Lee Myung-hyun and science communicator Ullim will lead a book talk on "Reading Science Books in the Age of AI," discussing works on astronomy, science, technology and culture.

"I hope visitors experience a science culture where books, science and art connect naturally, and that everyone from children to adults can enjoy science in daily life," said Lee Chung-won, director of the National Gwacheon Science Museum. "I hope they find their own answer to why books are needed in the age of AI."

The event is recommended for visitors aged 7 and older, and children aged 7 to 13 must be accompanied by a guardian. Program schedules and reservation details are available on the museum's official website.