For weekly Asahi Gunma published in last week (June 28), I
went around Gunma-ken and checked around “Sora Girls” activity.
Weekly Asahi Gunma (June 28)
So happy that this feature made the cover…
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“Sora Girl” – literal translation would be “Space Girl”, is a
word emerged from last year or so and it signifies “a girl who is interested in
stars and space”. (note: “sora” usually means “sky” in Japanese, but here it
means “space”) But the definition is quite loose; she doesn’t need to have solid
knowledge or proper telescope. If she’s interested in or likes to watch night
sky, she’s “Sora Girl” :)
Along with recent years’ astronomical event such as meteor
shower or annular solar eclipse, the number of space enthusiasts is increasing
in Japan. And, not surprisingly, Sora Girl is increasing as well. (Of course
there have been a bunch of female space enthusiast but the word “Sora Girl”
made star-watching-activity a trend. You know how it works…)
And, as one of the Sora Girl, I went to see some Sora Girls
and their activity, and visited space/stars related facilities in Gunma.
Here’s Gunma Astronomical Observatory.
At Takayama village, Gunma-ken
There's “Musical Road” of “When you wish upon a star” on the
way to this observatory.
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Doesn’t it look like a space platform? (There
are some replicas of ancient monuments in the outside too.) To reach this
facility, you have to walk about 10min or so from the parking lot. There’s a
picture of Pluto at starting point, and we walk towards Sun. But this is really
long walk… especially Pluto to Uranus is so far… (so here you can learn the
placement of the solar system by walking.) But worth it. This place got unique atmosphere
and world-class technology.
Journey to the Sun…
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- “Star Club” at Gunma University
It used to be a small club, but now they have
200 registered members and half of them are girls. According to these Sora
Girls, watching stars is a "good way to get rid of stress" and they enjoy having “Girl
Talk” under the night sky. (I do agree, night sky is perfect backdrop for deep
conversation.)
- Mukai Chiaki Children’s Science Museum
Ms Mukai is a Gunma born astronaut, and she’s
the very first Japanese woman who went into the space. She’s the real Space
Girl.
You can see her autograph on the telescope.
"My workplace is in space"
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- Star Watching Event in Gunma
One of the things I discovered through this
article research was that Best Night Sky season in Gunma or Kanto area is summer. (I always
thought it’s winter.)
And there are some summer events planned to appreciate
Gunma’s star-filled night sky from the mountaintop. I heard their “Night Cable
Car” makes you feel like you’re travelling into space…
Our little orange pony – Gunma-chan
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- Complete list of Planetarium in Gunma
It’s surprising to know that so many of
planetariums are creating their own programs. And addition to these “regular
programs” they host special event to leverage their facilities… like “Planetarium
for mom-to-be” (they project stars and recite some stories with relaxing aroma)
and “Planetarium Concert” (live classical music concert while watching the
stars…). Oh… this is so good… (I may try to join this mom-to-be event by
sneaking a watermelon under my shirt…)
This article was featuring “Space Girl” but I tried to
make it enjoyable for “Space Boy” and even “Space Grandma” in Gunma :) Space is for everyone of course!
Large photo panel of M31 installed in observatory.
Want this for my wall…
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For the northern hemisphere residents, it’s time
to check out Milky Way and Great triangle in Summer! If you ever get tired of
lights from PC/phone screen, why don’t you look up and find the lights beaming from
super far away?
Hope you'll have a great night skywalking!
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