The three-hour drive to Ush Konyr kept getting darker – but in a good way. Students shared snacks and the hum of competing conversations on the bus were punctuated with laughter.
As 40 students stepped off the bus, an array of telescopes were readied. Almaty was a distant orange glow. The October evening was cooler outside the city, and as everyone looked up to the dark black and blue sky, they paused in a sense of awe. Above them, the moon, Jupiter, the North Star, and even the Milky Way Galaxy, to which Earth belongs, smiled back.
“The atmosphere: The indescribable atmosphere present at every event we hold is what every student will experience,” said third-year student Adilbek Zhalbirov, vice president of KIMEP’s AstroClub, which organized the event.
“This was my first time experiencing such a beautiful and unforgettable night sky,” said Talgat Santay.
The second-year student said he had not expected such inexpressible beauty, as the stars were spread across the sky, resembling a starry meadow that was impossible to look away from.
With the telescopes provided by the AstroClub, students could get a closer look at: Saturn, the Moon, the Summer Triangle, Ursa Major and Ursa Minor, the North Star, Cassiopeia, Andromeda, Perseus, and Jupiter.
Upon arrival at Ush Konyr, students’ eyes lit up at the view of nighttime Almaty, and when they looked up, some were left speechless: students’ necks were stiff for a few minutes; they were truly amazed by the starry field before their eyes.
Santay said that he would definitely attend future events organized by the AstroClub.
This night was not meant for beautiful Instagram posts—it had to be seen and remembered through the eyes.
Yasmin Saulebay, fourth year student said that the view of the stars was breathtaking, especially considering that in Almaty, due to smog, it’s rare to see at least 10 percent of it.
“I tried to capture the moment on my phone, and although the photo didn’t turn out beautiful, it became a way to preserve the memories,” said Saulebay.
Saulebay was most impressed by Jupiter and its moons, which were so close, she said.
“The most memorable moment… was seeing the night sky when we saw the Milky Way—a gray streak standing out against the stars,” Zhalbirov said.
In addition to the Milky Way, he said, KIMEP students have the chance to see many other celestial bodies, such as the triangle of the sky’s brightest stars— known as the Summer-Autumn Triangle — consisting of the stars Altair, Vega, and Deneb.
Optional Trim
Moreover, students who forgot to have lunch before the long trip were treated to pizza and drinks. Who knew a meal with Papa John’s pizza could be so romantic: the lights of nighttime Almaty and a multitude of stars made it extraordinary. Indeed, the night city of Almaty felt like it was in the palm of your hand, and the tower at Kok-Tobe appeared tiny, though it’s enormous up close.
Evening traffic jams in Almaty caused a three-hour drive from KIMEP University to Ush Konyr. However, for some students, those three hours flew by at the speed of light:
Some students chatted the whole way and never stopped, others peacefully slept after a tough midterm week, while others sang along to “Sweater Weather” by The Neighbourhood and filmed new stories for Instagram.
“During the long drive, I had a chance to get to know my friend better through our long conversations on the road,” said Saulebay.
For those who prefer to spend a peaceful and atmospheric Friday evening, without an Aperol cocktail and loud club music, the AstroClub’s night observation was perfect.
Trading a Friday evening Aperol spritzer at a pub for a telescope on a dark hill created the chance to admire the stars and find like-minded individuals to create new friendships through the stars.
“More outings are expected next semester, and casting will be happening soon,” said Zhalbirov. “So, stay tuned.”