They photographed the depths of space at Topuklu Plateau, located at an altitude of 1700 meters.

Topuklu Plateau, located at an altitude of 1,700 meters in the Beyağaç district of Denizli, hosted thousands of sky enthusiasts from both domestic and international sources for 4 days. The Beyağaç-Topuklu Plateau International Sky Observation Event, where beautiful shots were captured in the sky, brought the region one step closer to the status of ‘International Dark Sky Park,’ which is one of the darkest spots in Turkey.
Organized under the leadership of Beyağaç Municipality in Denizli, in collaboration with Denizli Governorship, Denizli Metropolitan Municipality, South Aegean Development Agency (GEKA), ADM Electricity Distribution, and Kalebey Local Action Group Association, the Beyağaç-Topuklu Plateau International Sky Observation Event, named after the renowned Astronomer Prof. Dr. Ethem Derman, brought together thousands of sky enthusiasts for the 4th time. Approximately 3,000 people from all over the country participated in the event held at the Topuklu Plateau, which stands at an altitude of 1,700 meters and is one of the darkest spots in Turkey. Compared to previous years, there was a significant increase in the number of participants, and unforgettable moments were experienced for sky enthusiasts during the festival. While astrophotography experts captured special shots in the sky, the guests were informed about the sky.
Topuklu Plateau to become an ‘Astro Tourism Destination.’ Within the scope of GEKA’s ‘Results-Oriented Program for New Destinations in Alternative Tourism,’ efforts were made to promote Topuklu Plateau as a dark sky park and to introduce the plateau and astro tourism potential through sky events. With the event, Beyağaç Topuklu Plateau, which is approaching the status of ‘International Dark Sky Park,’ contributed to increasing its national and international recognition and to the social, cultural, and economic development of the local community. In the observation area, equipped with telescopes brought by approximately 30 astronomers, both professional and amateur, at the Topuklu Plateau, one of the most productive areas for sky observations due to its remote location and an altitude of about 1,600 meters, open sky observations and photographs of celestial bodies were taken. The event also included presentations by astronomy experts and workshops for children. Good values were obtained in sky brightness measurements with SQM devices at the Topuklu Plateau, where fruitful sky observations can be made away from light pollution.
The aim is to further develop the event each year and to establish Topuklu Plateau as an ‘Astro Tourism Destination.’ If Topuklu Plateau becomes the first dark sky park in Turkey, it is predicted that the interest in Denizli, Beyağaç, and Topuklu Plateau will increase as this news is announced to millions of sky enthusiasts worldwide by IDA.
“Participation increased compared to last year.” Sezayi Pütün, the Mayor of Beyağaç, stated that Topuklu Plateau is the darkest and quietest place according to the International Observatory Institute data. Pütün said, ‘We are in Topuklu Plateau between Denizli and Muğla, designated as the darkest and quietest place according to the International Observatory Institute data. Everything sky enthusiasts are looking for is here. We are trying to provide all kinds of facilities for the participants. We are happy to introduce the people of Beyağaç to new faces. Looking at the license plates, we see visitors from Gaziantep, Diyarbakır, Şanlıurfa, Trabzon, Kayseri, Antalya, and Izmir. Ninety percent of those dealing with the sky are here. The participation rate is close to 3,000. Normally, our participation rate was over 3,000, but there was a slight decrease due to rain. Compared to previous years, the participation has doubled.
“It has the structure to establish an observatory park under international standards.” Onurcan Uyanık, a businessman from Izmir who attended the festival, said he started astrophotography as a hobby. Uyanık, who expressed that they enjoyed the festival, said, ‘Some places have valuable minerals; the specialty of this place is having a very dark structure. This place has the structure to establish an observatory park under international standards. You can see galaxies with the naked eye after 3 o’clock here. Today, the weather is a bit rainy, the sky is cloudy. Our visibility is a bit poor. Under normal conditions, it has an invaluable sky beauty. All city lights disappear behind the mountains. I have come for the 3rd time this year. It has a growing audience every year. It is important to instill curiosity about the sky in children at a young age and encourage them. Astronomer Onurcan Uyanık and other astrophotographers captured unique shots with telescopes.