The night sky is filled with countless mysteries and worlds yet to be explored but that someday might be visited by spacecraft.
In a free event titled “Celestial Tales: Stars, Exoplanets and the Myths That Connect Us,” on March 6, the campus community and the public will hear from Professor Yosuke Yamashiki and student Yukiko Morishita from Kyoto University, discussing constellations and the search for exoplanets.
The lectures begin at 7 p.m. in Classroom and Office Building 1, room 120, and at 8 p.m., everyone can go outside Science and Engineering Building 2 for planet viewing and stargazing with telescopes with the Astronomy Club at UC Merced.
“I will focus on everyday perspectives — such as lifestyle and culture — by sharing stories about the four representative constellations visible in the spring night sky, as well as stories from Eastern astronomy,” Morishita said. She has designed her talk so that even people with no background in astronomy can enjoy it and has promised to explain the astronomical details of the stars in each constellation.
Morishita, whose research background is in environmental psychology — specifically the restorative effects of nature on mood, cognitive function and physiological responses — brings a uniquely Japanese perspective. She will talk about traditional annual events related to astronomy and the Japanese names of celestial objects, which differ from Western names.
“While appreciating the differences between our cultures, I hope to convey the fascinating idea that, long before cultures intertwined, people around the world already looked at the same celestial objects and were captivated by their beauty,” she said.
Yamashiki will present an exploration of the night sky using his computer software, EXOKYOTO.
“This tool not only displays stars and constellations — including well-known Messier objects — but also features a unique component that introduces exoplanets orbiting those stars within our Milky Way galaxy,” he said. “These exoplanetary representations are enhanced by imaginative illustrations created by our students, showcasing potentially habitable worlds, some of which may resemble Earth. My talk will reveal how the cosmos is filled with hidden worlds that are both scientifically intriguing and visually inspiring.”
In 2016, Yamashiki and several colleagues developed the EXOKYOTO exoplanetary database. Their work included publishing research on evaluating the space radiation environment induced by stellar superflares, in partnership with NASA and the Goddard Space Flight Center.
As an astrophysicist, his research primarily focuses on characterizing habitable exoplanets, aiming to understand the conditions that might support life beyond Earth.
Morishita said she hopes people will take advantage of the opportunity presented by the universities and by the remote location of UC Merced.
“When I first set foot on this campus, I was overwhelmed by the vast, open landscape. For astronomical observation, clear air and an unobstructed dark sky are invaluable,” Morishita said. “I have stargazed in Japan several times, but due to the country's small landmass and mountainous terrain, the view is often obstructed by mountains or city lights, making it difficult to enjoy a full 360-degree panoramic view. In this sense, the expansive land here in Merced provides an exceptional educational and academic opportunity for astronomical observation.”
The event is sponsored by Secure Water Future Valley Institute for Sustainability, Technology, & Agriculture, the Department of Physics, the Astronomy Club at UC Merced and The Graduate School of Advanced Integrated Studies in Human Survivability, Kyoto University. Those interested in attending are asked to register online . Parking will be free in the North Bowl lot, and there will be a free shuttle for those who need assistance.
Both speakers are presenting through the memorandum of understanding UC Merced has signed with Kyoto University. Partnerships like this enable students and the public to learn from scholars from around the world.
Scientific outreach events such as this foster mutual understanding, stimulate shared interests and encourage more collaboration and student exchanges. Yamashiki said sending students like Morishita to UC Merced represents a significant opportunity for Kyoto University to connect with the public, showcase their work and build lasting partnerships.
“Events like these can also spark interest among UC Merced students, potentially inspiring some to pursue short-term studies or research opportunities at our university in Kyoto,” he said.
Yamashiki and Morishita also hope their talks provide inspiration and fuel the awe many people feel when they look at the night sky.
“I hope that this event ignites the imagination, leading people to consider the possibility of discovering ‘alien’ worlds among the stars, and that it fosters a sense of wonder and collaboration as we work together toward these long-term exploration goals,” Yamashiki said.
