Friday, August 5, 2011

11th Asian-Pacific Regional IAU Meeting (APRIM2011) held in Thailand!

The 11th Asian-Pacific Regional IAU Meeting (APRIM2011) was held in Chiang Mai, Thailand, during July 26-29, 2011, continuing on from the successful 10th APRIM held in Yunnan, PRC in 2008. The principal aim of the conference was to provide a forum for the expanding astronomy research community. In view of the extensive scientific and technical development in astronomy now occuring at the observatories all over the world, APRIM2011 became an important forum to encourage collaborations among groups working in different countries in the region.As with APRIM2008, astronomers from all over the world were welcomed to contribute to all sessions of the meeting.Participation of young astronomers and students was strongly encouraged.A special session focusing on astronomy education, outreach and popularization of astronomy was also arranged.



A full-day excursion to the Thai National Observatory, home of the 2.4-m optical telescope and to the Princess Sirindhorn Neutron Monitor in Doi Inthanon National Park, was organized as part of the conference programme.A joint event, Astro-Expo 2011, to commemorate His Majesty the King's 84th Birthday in the year 2011, was also be organized.

Nepal presented four contributions ( 3 oral and one poster) during the meeting. The name of the four delegates from Nepal were Rishi Shah,Sudeep Neupane, Suresh Bhattarai and Riwaj Pokhrel.