King’s Academy is pleased to welcome Mazin Younis as the school’s new Observatory Director. A British astronomy-enthusiast of Iraqi origin, Mr. Younis brings extensive experience in astronomy and astrophotography. He will lead the Omar A. Aggad Observatory in expanding hands-on, inquiry-based opportunities for students to explore and engage with the field of astronomy.

Mr. Younis earned his Bachelor of Science in Physics from the University of Baghdad in Iraq and his Master of Science in Physics from the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom, where he specialized in low-light detection technologies used in astronomy and medical imaging. His astronomy career began with the Iraqi National Observatory Project, which was considered one of the most significant global observatory efforts of its era. There, he worked alongside international scientists and took part in major field expeditions to identify optimal telescope locations.

Throughout his career, Mr. Younis has combined scientific expertise with exceptional communication and outreach work. He established Iraq’s first Astronomy Youth Club, organized national solar-eclipse programs in both Iraq and Kuwait, and later founded and directed OSW Ltd. in Manchester, specializing in multilingual scientific and technical content.

In recent years, Mr. Younis has distinguished himself as an accomplished astrophotographer, capturing planets, deep-sky objects, and transient celestial events. His imaging work is regularly featured by the British Astronomical Association, and he has advised astronomy clubs internationally on telescope setups and dark-sky observation. He also led a multi-year dark-sky survey project in southern Morocco to support remote observing.  

At King’s Academy, Mr. Younis will oversee all observatory operations, develop astronomy programs for students in grades 7–12, design co-curricular activities, and build partnerships with research centers and observatories worldwide. He will play a key role in fostering curiosity and discovery, inspiring students to explore the universe, and strengthening King’s Academy’s position as a leader in astronomy education.

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