Fureai Astronomy: Okayama, 2023

Captain’s log, Stardate: 60276.5

I visited a middle school, 岡山大学教育学部附属中学校, which is said to be one of the top middle schools in Okayama Prefecture, to give a lecture about astronomy and astrobiology. This visit was part of Project ふれあい天文学 (Fureai Astronomy), which allows astronomers like myself to interact with primary and middle school students and ignite their passion for the cosmos.

Crafting a lecture in Japanese, a language foreign to me, was not easy. It involved days of meticulous preparation and drafting lecture notes. To tailor my presentation to the students’ curiosity, I also gathered questions from them in advance, ensuring that my talk would resonate with their interests.

My lecture, titled “宇宙、最後のフロンティア：系外惑星と未知なる生命への探求” (Space, the Final Frontier: Exploring Exoplanets and the Quest for Unknown Life), aimed to channel the spirit of Star Trek, delving into the mysteries of exoplanets and astrobiology. The session was divided into three captivating sections: Exoplanets; Abiogenesis, and The Search for Extraterrestrial Life. To add a visual dimension to our exploration, I also included a video detailing the construction of the Subaru Telescope, a marvel of astronomy and engineering.

The lecture ended with a lively question-and-answer segment:

A keen student in the front row inquired about the phenomena of starbursts, showing her attentiveness and curiosity about cosmic events.

Another student posed a question about the Subaru Telescope. Admittedly, I faced a bit of a language barrier here, indicating that for future talks, inviting questions via email might be more effective.

When asked about my favorite celestial object, I shared my fascination with Jupiter and its unique moons, particularly Europa, with its potential for harboring life.

The teachers expressed satisfaction with the talk, and I can feel the enthusiasm radiating from the students. It’s heartening to think that perhaps among these young minds, a future astronomer is just beginning the journey into the vast and wondrous universe.

Captain out.