Miryang’s Four-Story Space Base Bound for the Exoplanets

Why a Facility Specializing in Exoplanets Opened at Miryang Grand Park on May 21, 2020

Miryang Arirang Space Observatory opened on May 21, 2020, at 86, Miryangdaegongwon-ro, Gyodong, Miryang-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, together with the National Miryang Meteorological Science Museum. Its starting point was its status as the only specialized facility in Korea centered on exoplanets and extraterrestrial life, rather than on conventional stargazing.

The “Arirang” in the facility’s name is connected to Miryang’s regional identity. Miryang Arirang is a popular folk song representing the Gyeongsang region. Known as a song that originated in Miryang, it has been sung nationwide. The facility combines the city name associated with a traditional folk song with the theme of space exploration, bringing Miryang’s cultural symbol into a future-oriented science-experience space.

A Titan Experience Route Across a 12,840㎡ Site and Four Above-Ground Floors

The site covers 12,840㎡, while the main building covers 2,943㎡ and has four above-ground floors. A separate 424㎡ amenity building has also been constructed. The first floor contains a special exhibition room, nursing room, education room, and hall, while the second floor has the “Imagination” planetarium and exhibition and experience spaces. Families with strollers may find it more convenient to combine the exhibition and screening activities first.

The exhibition’s storyline leads to Titan, a moon of Saturn. It includes a Kepler-62 orbital model, a 1/8-scale GMT model, a 5-meter-diameter circular floor-based space theater, and a Titan set VR game. For a short visit, it is a good idea to enter according to the planetarium screening schedule and then tour the exhibition. If you include the hands-on activities, allowing 2–3 hours is advisable.

Check the 99 Seats in the 14-Meter “Imagination” Dome and the 80-Person Hourly Limit First

The “Imagination” planetarium has a 14-meter-diameter screen and 99 seats. Its optical Megastar-IIA projector can reproduce approximately 10 million stars. Another distinctive feature is its combination of a 4K digital projection system and a five-button audience-response system, which allows audience reactions to be collected during explanations.

However, the number of visitors admitted to each actual session is limited to 80 per hour. During the day, there is no attendance limit for the exhibition, experience facilities, or planetarium, but the screening schedule and sessions not operated because of equipment inspections may change. On weekdays in particular, educational groups may receive priority, meaning individuals may be unable to use sessions reserved for groups. Check both the official notices and the reservation page before visiting.

Seeing the Difference Between Day and Night with the 70-Centimeter “Byeoli” and Five Auxiliary Telescopes

The main observation room in the fourth-floor observation area is equipped with the high-performance 70-centimeter-aperture “Byeoli” telescope. A voice-recognition control system is one of its distinctive features. The auxiliary observation room has five instruments in total, combining telescopes and binoculars, for observing the Sun during the day and celestial objects such as planets at night.

Do not assume that daytime and nighttime observations can be enjoyed with the same admission ticket. The nighttime program requires a separate reservation from the daytime ticket, with a capacity of 40 people per session. Since the program starts on time, arriving at least 10 minutes early is necessary. During the summer season, the first session starts Tuesday–Sunday at 20:00, while during the winter season it starts Tuesday–Sunday at 19:00. In both seasons, second sessions are also operated Friday–Sunday at 20:30 or 19:30, respectively.

Plan a Daytime Visit Around Tuesday–Sunday 09:00–18:00 Hours and the 16:30 Ticketing Deadline

Daytime viewing is available year-round from 10:00 to 17:30, and ticket sales close at 16:30. Inquiry hours are Tuesday–Sunday from 09:00 to 18:00. The facility is closed on January 1 and on the day of Lunar New Year and Chuseok. Rather than assuming that it closes every Monday, check whether special closures and inspection days are separately marked on the official calendar.

Admission is 4,000 won for adults, and Miryang residents can receive a 50% discount with proof of residence. A 500-won discount is available when tickets are issued together with those for nearby facilities such as the National Miryang Meteorological Science Museum. If you plan to visit both facilities on the same day, choosing the observatory screening session first and arranging the meteorological science museum before or after it can reduce wasted time.

• Main telephone: 055-359-4599
• Group inquiries: 055-359-4590
• Official website: https://www.mycf.or.kr/astro/main/
• Address: 86, Miryangdaegongwon-ro, Miryang-si, Gyeongsangnam-do

Buses 1, 2, 3, and 6 from Miryang Station, Then a 10-Minute Walk After Getting Off at Arirang Art Center

By public transportation, take bus 1, 2, 3, or 6 from Miryang Station, get off at the Arirang Art Center or Daewoong Mansion stop, and walk for about 10 minutes. If you have a lot of luggage or are attending a nighttime program, it is best to check the return bus schedule first. Nighttime observations start at 19:00 or 20:00 depending on the season, so transportation back to Miryang Station may be more limited than during the day.

Visitors arriving by car can use the observatory’s 110 parking spaces free of charge, including spaces reserved for people with disabilities. Large buses must drop passengers off at the observatory plaza and then park in the art center parking lot. Detailed information about wheelchair and stroller accessibility, as well as the availability of foreign-language guidance, was not separately confirmed on the official page. If you need assistance, it is safest to inquire in advance by calling 055-359-4599.

Combine It with the National Miryang Meteorological Science Museum, Then Continue to Yeongnamnu, About Five Minutes Away by Car

The observatory is located at the same address as the National Miryang Meteorological Science Museum, making it convenient to combine the two science experiences. The 500-won discount for issuing tickets to both facilities also applies. Since daytime viewing ends at 17:30, it is better to enter by early afternoon at the latest if you plan to see both places.

If you would like to add a historic site, Yeongnamnu is about five minutes away by car. Miryang Arirang-gil is introduced as an urban walking route linking Miryang Station with Yongdusan, Geumsidang, Wolyeonjeong, Chuhwasan, Miryang Arirang Space Observatory, and Yeongnamnu. However, combining the observatory’s hands-on activities with a long walk on the same day can make for a lengthy visit. For visitors with nighttime observation reservations, a practical plan is to visit only the two science museums during the day and continue with the evening program.