An average adult watches the sky once every five days. Are you one of them? If so, it is a pity, but no worries. There is always a way to cure such a bleak outlook on life. In the Korea University Amateur Astronomical Association (KUAAA), they witness such breath taking beauty regularly. It is said that no sight is more provocative of awe than the night sky, and KUAAA has photographs to prove it.

 Contrary to what people may think, astronomy clubs are not a place where members drink until the stars appear in the night sky. Equipped with state-of-the-art astronomical telescopes and cameras, KUAAA provides a perfect environment for its members to watch the sky. They recently bought new telescopes for star gazing. There is no need to have advanced knowledge about photography or astronomy. People who are interested in photography are also welcome.

 

   
▲ Pictures taken during an observational trip.

KUAAA is a long-running club with over 30 years of history. With this 30 years of history, KUAAA has solid support from alumni and also KU. Thanks to this, their club room hosts high quality equipment, along with an air conditioner, television, Play Station and other such cozy living facilities. However, what is principal about KUAAA is their activities. KUAAA activities are distinguished in that they are both fun-based and educational in a special way.

What They Do in KUAAA

Members naturally get to socialize with each other through weekly seminars and monthly observatory expeditions along with irregular meetings. Through these activities, members will learn in depth about not only astronomy but also photography. With such everyday activities aside, KUAAA holds special events such as a spiritual rite for a clear sky, and there is an annual photo exhibition which all the training of photography and astronomy education had been carried out for. There indeed is no time to stop in KUAAA.

The seminars make KUAAA a club that is both academic and entertaining. Once a week, KUAAA seniors teach members about various astronomical knowledge and camera technique. Other members can also have presentations during the seminar from time to time and improve their presentation skills. The atmosphere in these seminars is not always rigid. Seniors and freshman both can have an enjoyable time. Kim Ju Seop (’13, Division of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering) said, “The seminars are satisfying because I am serious about watching stars. A seminar about observational equipment was most useful for me.”

Camp training of members is also an important event of KUAAA. Other clubs go on a trip to eat and drink, but that is not the case for KUAAA. There are many types of camp training for the club. Starting with a monthly astronomy observation expedition, there is Chulsa, which is the name for KUAAA’s one day photo trip.

 

   
▲ 1,2 During Ki-chung-jae, a KUAAA member is praying for a clear sky and setting a traditional Korean ancestral rite.3 A seminar of KUAAA where one member is presenting4 Learning about photography before an observational trip.All Photographs in article provided by KUAAA

These observation trips are what define KUAAA. Once a month, KUAAA leaves on a trip to unpolluted areas such as Chul-won or Gongju to view the night sky. Before the sun sets, members hold brief seminars about what to capture in picture that day and start officially observing the sky when it gets dark. Members watch stars, nebulas, and planets and try to capture such sights on camera. During the monthly astronomy observation expedition, members go out to visit the countryside to gaze at clear skies filled with stars and enjoy untainted nature. This is truly a healing time for the body and soul, being away from all the mundane sides of society. What is meaningful about these trips is that they are not just for recreation, but for observation and fulfillment. Observation trips have a purpose, and this is unique to KUAAA.

Ki-chung-jae is a spiritual ritual in which KUAAA prays to the sky to wish for a clear sky to have a better observation session. People take this event very seriously because it gives a feeling of unity. Ki-chung-jae is a spiritual experience that students normally would not be able to have a chance to see nor even actually participate in. It gives participants a feeling that they are connected to the sky and the universe will hear their call. Plus, it is a great chance to meet the alumni of KUAAA.

The ceremony is done like a traditional Korean ancestral rite. KUAAA prepares a variety of fruits, and even places a real pig head on the ceremonial table where members bow. Ki-chung-jae usually takes place on a rooftop of KU or occasionally in mountains such as Mani Mountain in Gang-wha-gun. The club president Lee Sang Won (’12, Electrical Engineering) said that, “It was a good choice to hold this year’s Ki-chung-jae on Mani Mountain because members felt serious about this ritual and were able to have a good time in the mountain’s stream after the ceremony.”

Chulsa is a name for KUAAA's business photo trip. It is a special trip that lasts for one day in which KUAAA members visit beautiful scenery in Seoul to learn about taking exquisite photos. All photos are taken with a DSLR camera, which is used in all observation photos. Members have a chance to practice how to take a proper photo which is useful in later observatory expeditions.

The most important event in KUAAA is the annual photo exhibition that is held at the end of the second semester. The observation expeditions are all for this one event. The most impressive and beautiful photos are chosen for the exhibition to be shown to people other than the club members. The exhibition lasts for two days in KU’s Hana Square exhibit hall. “Last year’s exhibition held a special meaning because it was the 30th anniversary of KUAAA’s birth.” said Lee Jae Min (’12, Mechanical Engineering), “What was most popular was ‘Planetarium,’ which is a soccer ball-shaped structure that simulates an observation of a clear night sky. Viewers were able to go inside. It was fulfilling to see that many people came even when the exhibition was held during the final exam period.”

Not many clubs have strong ties with other universities, but that is not the case for KUAAA. They hold the Annual Ko-Yon Games with Yonsei University’s (YU) Amateur Astronomical Association (YAAA). KU and YU take turns to host the event. It is a great opportunity to meet new people who have similar interests.

Recruitment Information

All students are welcomed to KUAAA. Please contact the group president, Lee at 010-8484-8584. The club room is in Aekinung Student Hall Room 403. They are always recruiting people, so please stop by. Any grade, age and gender can sign up for KUAAA and become part of KU’s prestigious astronomy club. Just handing in an application form makes the applier an associate member, and attending one seminar makes the associate member a full member.

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