Congratulations to the winners of Third National Astronomy Olympiad Logo Competition 2015!

Nepal Astronomical Society is pleased to announce the winners of 3rd National Astronomy Olympiad Logo Competition 2015 which was held during September 1-25, 2015 in Nepal. The winners will be provided cash prizes: NRs 5,000/-, NRs 1,000/- and NRs 500/- and Certificates during ceremony in Kathmandu in 2016.

Sandeep Tiwari who won the first prize expressed, "Again, today I remember those situations when people around me used to create chattering cynics about my passion and devotion. But I was a kind of guy who used to give different meaning to situations to encourage myself, I was a kind of guy who used to reward myself no matter how big the achievements were, and still I am. What I've discovered is that intimate connection and communication with my passion and devotion in the creative field of art & graphics. Thank you NASO for encouraging my creativity, I thank you so much for such a golden appreciation and I believe this appreciation will be one of the best powerful tools to wipe obstacles while working in graphics. This win have inspired me a lot. I believe NASO is creating a great platform for young artists by organizing this type of logo competition every year. Thank you!!!"

Raj Khadgi, the third winner of the competition said, "It's been a wonderful feelings to participate and winning the second runner up in the Third National Astronomy Olympiad Logo Competition 2015 organised by National Astronomical Society(NASO). I am so much thankful to NASO for providing us such a great opportunity or platform to show skill and creativeness in us. This kind of competitions help to find potentiality within us. This proves that NASO is encouraging youth not only from Astronomical field, but also encouraging youth from different field. In other words, NASO is enhancing the different pillars of the Nation. And, the certificate or encouragement that we get from the competition works as fuel in the path of our career development. Thank you, thank you NASO."

The first winning logo will be used as an official logo for Third National Astronomy Olympiad 2016 – Nepal which will be held in 2016! National Astronomical Olympiad started in Nepal since 2014. Students who are under 19 years during the competition year can participate in the program.

Are you ready for World Space Week 2015- Nepal!

Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) is pleased to announce the first ever possibly the largest online discussion on www.facebook.com during October 4-10, 2015 to celebrate World Space Week 2015 in Nepal. As we will be celebrating the World Space Week 2015, our discussion will be mainly related with the space science. Please click here to join us for the celebration.

NASO has been celebrating #WSW in Nepal since 2007. It recalls the first program to celebrate this global event was a talk program '50th Years of Sputnik-I' at Russian Center of Science and Culture-Kathmandu.

With the introduction of Space Science in the curriculum of B.Sc. Physics (4 Years), we would like to call all the students, teachers, amateurs and professionals to become a part of this celebration!

“The General Assembly declares 4 to 10 October World Space Week to celebrate each year at the international level the contributions of space science and technology to the betterment of the human condition”

UN General Assembly resolution, 6 December 1999

World Space Week 2015 highlights the great era of deep space discovery that we are in. We have never learnt as much of the universe we live in as in the last decade. Space telescopes, deep space probes and several interplanetary satellites and landers have shown us the magic, wonders and opportunities of new worlds. Exoplanets, galaxies far away and close by and landings on planets, moons, asteroids and comets teach us about where we humans have come from and where we will go in the future. Space is all about Discovery!

We are certain that this exciting new theme will be a source of inspiration for your World Space Week event in 2015! And if the theme doesn’t provide enough inspiration, we hope that our brand new poster will!

Congratulations to all selected five 'National Astronomy Olympiad Teacher' 2015!

It's been really exciting week accepting applications from different parts of Nepal for our National Call for 'Astronomy Olympiad Teacher' Training 2015. Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) evaluated all the applications and shortlisted candidates were interviewed by 'National Astronomy Olympiad Organizing Committee-Nepal'. We would like to congratulate Mr. Karan Bhatta, Mr. Gopal Niraula, Ms.Samita Malla, Mr. Bhuwan Poudel and Mr. Sabin Gautam for being 'NAO-Teacher'. NAO-Teacher will participate in the upcoming 'Astronomy Olympiad Exposure Camp, November 2-5, 2015, HBCSE, Mumbai, India.

Mr. Karan Bhatt says, "Astronomy is not a recognized course in university or high school level in Nepal. Leaning core astronomy, therefore, in itself is a rare thing; learning about teaching astronomy sounds feels like an overwhelming opportunity. The things at offer- traveling, learning (as a student and as a teacher), bonding globally- couldn’t have asked for more."

Ms. Samita Malla says, "I am very much excited to be the part of the programme as it would enable me to gain experience of trainning with the opportunities for learning and developing skills.In addition to my skills and experience as a teacher, I would bring the training to a proven level to deal successfully with more detailed information regarding the contents of the programme.I am very grateful indeed for your consideration. Thank you for selecting n providing me such a opportunities."

Mr. Gopal Niraula says, "I would like to thanks NASO for selecting me in top five candidates. I am very much excited to learn more from the exposure camp which will help us to teach students during National Astronomy Olympiad 2016 in Nepal. I will give my time and fully support for development of A&A in eastern part of Nepal."

Mr. Bhuwam Poudel says, "I am very happy to listen that am select for this training. This training will make me even stronger in the field of Science & Astronomy and it will broaden my knowledge. There was no doubt that my interest in Astronomy will raise by such training. After this training I will train the entire youngster and increase their interest in Space Science. My greatest ambition is to pursue scientific research at the highest level. Besides my own study I want to motivate youngsters towards the natural science. I believe that encouragement to youngsters to peruse space science will certainly develop Astrophysics and space science sector in Nepal. I hope my generation from Nepal will go to space. At last thank again for selecting me as right candidate to participate in this training."

Mr. Sabin Gautam says, "I feel so fortune to be part of wonderful people around the world. I hope the knowledge and experience which I will learn from this fellowship help me to make my dream become a successful astronomer. I would like to assure that, I will do my best to share my knowledge and experience from this workshop and will roll it our here in my home country."

Congratulations to all and look forward to another successful Astronomy Olympiad Year 2016 in Nepal!

3rd National Call for Astronomy Olympiad Logo Competition 2015!

Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) is pleased to announce 3rd National Call Astronomy Olympiad Logo Competition 2015- Nepal today! With the success of our logo competition in 2013 and 2014 which provided hundreds of designers to share their creativity with us, we are looking forward to more creations this year from both science and non science background enthusiastic people. Interested amateur/professional designers can submit their logo/s to info.naso[at]gmail.com by 5:00 PM, Friday, September 25, 2015.

What is Astronomy Olympiad Logo Competition?

It is an annual competition run by NASO in order to provide national platform for creative designers and promote astronomy Olympiad program in Nepal. The best logo will be used as a logo as an official logo of the National Astronomy Olympiad- Nepal of the Olympiad year. For e.g. the best logo from 2013 logo competition was the official logo for first National Astronomy Olympiad 2014- Nepal.

Who can participate in the Competition?

Anyone who wants to share their creativity with us wish to get national and international exposure can submit their work following the rules and regulations provided by the organizer.

What are the rules and regulations of the competition?

Please carefully read and follow the bellow mentioned rules and regulations in order to submit your work for the competition.

• The logo must include the following themes: ASTRONOMY, EDUCATION & NEPAL and should reflect Third National Astronomy Olympiad 2016
• Maximum of three designs can be submitted by a person. Submitted designs must contain the original idea/creation of the designer. Logos must be created in full colour in JPG formats. The logo specification is width 600 pixels
• Each design must contain a description of no more than 200 words. Design without description will not be accepted for the competition
• The deadline for submission is 5:00 PM, Friday, September 25, 2015. Submission after the deadline will not be entertained.
• The submission must be done through email: info.naso[at]gmail.com
• The decision of the evaluation committee will be final. The copy-write of the selected logo will be of NASO only

 What are the benefits of participating in the competition?

• The best three logos will be awarded cash prize of NRs 5,000/-, NRs 1000/- and NRs 500/- respectively as well as certificates
• Winners will get global exposure which may be instrumental for their career development

Selected designers will be contacted via telephone, so please make sure you provide us your contact number/s while submitting your works to us.

Looking forward to welcome your creations! Lets share our ideas, lets share our creation to global astronomical community!

4th National Call for 'Astronomy Olympiad Teacher' Training 2015!

Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) is pleased to announce 4th National Call for 'Astronomy Olympiad Teacher' Training 2015 to select teachers who will help the organizing National Astronomy Olympiad Organizing Committee- Nepal (NAOC-Nepal) to organize 3rd National Astronomy Olympiad 2016- Nepal.

Among all the applicants, five best applicants will be selected based on their motivation, academic history and interviews (both telephone and in person). They will participate in the upcoming Astronomy Olympiad Exposure Camp 2015 which will be held at Homi Bhabha Center for Science Education (HBCSE),Mumbai,India during November 2-5, 2015.

What is the objective of this Training?
The primary objective of this training is to select the five best applicants who will assist NASO to organize NAO-Nepal which is operational in Nepal since 2014. It also aims at productive interaction of our selected candidates at regional level (SAARC) with Olympiad activity at its focus.

What will be there at the training at HBCSE,Mumbai, India?
It will consist of various exposure sessions on theory, data analysis problems as well as night sky observation sessions. Tentative topics include celestial mechanics, observational astronomy, positional astronomy and observable properties of stars.

Who can apply?

Astronomy educators from different sectors i.e. Astronomy outreach personnel from scientific institutions, University / college / high school teachers, staff of planetaria and science museums as well as active amateur astronomers.

What will be the cost of participation?
Selected candidates will be reimbursed to and fro travel fare as per the entitlement (Maximum II AC). Food and accommodation in the HBCSE Guest House will be provided. During the workshop, one may visit HBCSE laboratories, library, History of Science Exhibition, HBCSE “books for sale” section, etc.

How to apply?

Interested candidate need to send their one page (A4 size) motivation letter and latest CV with photo and contact number/s to info.naso[at]gmail.com by 5:00 PM, Monday, September 7, 2015. Incomplete application will not be processed for the selection round!

When will be the selection result available?

The result will be announced at our website on Wednesday, September 9, 2015 and provided with further instruction on the participation in India.

Looking forward to welcome your application!

Nepalese Delegation to 9th IOAA, Indonesia Announced!

We are pleased to announce our team who will participate in the upcoming 9th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) which will be held in Central Java, Indonesia during 26th July-4th August, 2015.

Photo 1: Team Nepal to 9th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA), Central Java, Indonesia, July 26-August 4, 2015

Press Release on Nepalese Delegation to 9th IOAA:

 

We would like to congratulate all the successful students of Nepalese Delegation and and give our best wishes for their performance in 9th IOAA!

 

About NAO:

The National Astronomy Olympiad (NAO) Programme is jointly designed by Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) and ESPRO Foundation to encourage Nepalese students with an interest in Astronomy to pursue their further studies in this field. - See more at: http://nationalolympiad.org/#sthash.63lnRuRM.dpuf

The National Astronomy Olympiad (NAO) is an annual competition organized by Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) to encourage Nepalese students with an interest in Astronomy to pursue their further studies in this field.

With this program, school students will be selected, prepared, facilitated and qualified for their successful participation in annual international astronomy Olympiads: International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA), International Astronomy Olympiad (IAO) and Asian-Pacific Astronomy Olympiad (APAO)..

The National Astronomy Olympiad (NAO) Programme is jointly designed by Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) and ESPRO Foundation to encourage Nepalese students with an interest in Astronomy to pursue their further studies in this field. - See more at: http://nationalolympiad.org/#sthash.63lnRuRM.dpuf

The National Astronomy Olympiad (NAO) Programme is jointly designed by Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) and ESPRO Foundation to encourage Nepalese students with an interest in Astronomy to pursue their further studies in this field. - See more at: http://nationalolympiad.org/#sthash.63lnRuRM.dpuf

About IOAA:

International Olympiad of Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) is an annual event for highly performed high school students from all around the world in the field of Astronomy and Astrophysics. Established in Thailand 2006, it was initiated by five countries including Thailand, Indonesia, Iran, China and Poland with the aim to proliferate Astronomy among high school students, to foster friendship among young astronomers at international level so as to build cooperation in the field of Astronomy in the future among the young scholars.

Some of the countries, which have ever hosted IOAA, are Thailand in 2007, Indonesia in 2008, Iran in 2009, China in 2010, Poland in 2011, Brazil in 2012, Greece in 2013, and Romania in 2014. Central Java, Indonesia will be hosting the IOAA 2015. The number of participating countries has significantly increased since its initiation; from 20 countries at its outset to 37 countries with 41 teams in 2014.

Second National Astronomy Olympiad 2015 (NAO-2015) Winners Announced!

We are pleased to announce the result of Second National Astronomy Olympiad 2015 (NAO-2015) which was held during January 1-June 20, 2015 in Nepal. The program was conducted in two round and top five students have been decided as winners of this year’s competition based on their overall performance during the competition.

We would like to congratulate below mentioned students for their best performance during the competition and announced them as NAO2015 Winners:

1. Aashish Poudel - Valmiki Shiksha Sadan Higher Secondary School, Chitwan 
2. Bibek Kumar Pandit - St.Xavier's College-Maitighar, Kathmandu 
3. Rajit Chaulagain - Saipal Academy, Kathmandu 
4. Sandesh Chapagain - Chelsea International Academy, Kathmandu 
5. Shilpa Bhandari - Pentagon International College, Kathmandu

Winners will be participating in the upcoming 9th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) which will be held in Indonesia during July 26-August 4, 2015.

Here is how selected students expressed after winning this year's competition:

Winners are requested to contact our office for further information regarding the pre-departure training and participation in IOAA.

If any student fails to confirm their participation in IOAA, he or she will be replaced by the student from the waiting list in order to make complete national delegation of Nepal. The final list of students participating in the IOAA will be published prior to the departure.

Congratulations to all of you! Looking forward to our best performance in 9th IOAA!

NASO supports Relief Operations for Earthquake Victims in Nepal!

With the devastating earthquake on April 25, 2015, Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) started supporting relief operations at different parts of Nepal in order to provide necessary food, shelter, water, health and sanitation, etc in Sindhupalchok, Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur. Our team provided rice, lentils, salts, oils, noodles, biscuits, black mats (insulator), blankets and tarpaulins to different villages at Nawalpur, Sindhupalchok; Dandagaon, Rasuwa (handovered to Nepal Army at Trishuli Hydropower as the situation was tensed and we were not able to go to Dandagaon due to landslides) ; Archale, Nuwakot; Sankhu and Kirtipur, Kathmandu and Taumadi, Bhaktapur.

Photo 1: Mr. Suresh Bhattarai, Chairman giving instruction for the volunteers for unloading the relief supports to Dandagaon, Rasuwa at distribution center, Santibazaar, Nuwakot.

NASO, in collaboration with Cygnus Aerial Photography, Bangladesh and in association with Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), Department of Geography at Tribhuvan University (TU), Department of Archeology of Government of Nepal conducted aerial survey of different damaged areas at four districts: Kathmandu (Kirtipur, Gangagu, Jamal, Sankhu), Bhaktapur ( Taumadi), Lalitpur (Bungamati) and Nuwakot (Manakamana VDC). 

Below is the short clip produced from our UAV operations at different location giving you some overview of the damage in Nepal:

We had meeting with Prof. Dr. Hira Bahadur Maharjan, Vice-Chancellor at Tribhuvan University and highlighted the importance UAV for rescue, survey, mapping, planning, etc. We also stressed that the university must have drones/UAV at its different departments and train faculties and students for UAV operation.

Photo 2: Mr. Bhattarai sharing the idea of National Drone Operation Workshop during a meeting organized at Kirtipur Hillside Hotel in association with Department of Geography.

We shared our intention of organizing National Level Drone Operation Workshop 2015 in collaboration with Cygnus Aerial Photography and other International partners to different national stakeholders: NAST, TU, Civil Aviation Authority Nepal (CAAN), Ministry of Science and Technology and Ministry of Defense. Our proposal was highly praised and every stakeholders agreed to participate in the workshop [Details will be available soon].

Photo 3: Our team after the meeting with Mr. Mahendra Singh Rawal, officiating Director General (second from left) at Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN)

Photo 4: Our team after the meeting with Dr. Shova Kanta Lamichhane (second from left), Executive Director at B.P. Koirala Memorial Planetarium, Observatory and Science Museum Development Board, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of Nepal. Dr. Lamichhane is a member of Space Committee of Nepal.

Photo 5: Our team during a meeting with Rishi Shah, Academician at Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST). Er. Shah is a member of Space Committee of Nepal.

We also started a crowdfunding campaign to support people of Sindhupalchok, the most affected district by the earthquake, on April 30 with a target of 50,000 USD. The campaign is live now until June 13, 2015 and we hope to raise substantial amount to support. As people are not desperate need for food  and they have somehow recovering from the trauma and building their temporary shelters by now (it's been a month since the disaster), we decided to work for schools of the affected areas. The fund raised from this campaign will be spend on supporting schools in construct their temporary shelters, to maintain their partially damaged building, building toilets, stationeries, etc. 

On May 25, 2015, Mr. Suresh Bhattarai, our chairman signed MoU with Mr. Dil Nath Puri, Head of District Education Office Sindhupalchok for our support to build temporary classrooms for schools at Nawalpur VDC. For time being, we have choosen only three schools, Nawalpur Secondary School (485 students), Sidhhartha Primary School (~100 students) and Takure Primary School ( ~100) and working on the module that last at least for 2 years. The Government of Nepal (GoN) has estimated that it will take two years to draft the code of conduct for the schools infrastructures in order to avoid potential damage if another big earthquake hits Nepal in future.

We are very grateful to all the extending hands to our initiative to support people in need and look forward for your continuous support in coming days as Nepal takes time to recover and rebuild. Certainly, as education is one our mandate to work in Nepal, we are doing our best to supports schools and look forward to support more schools in coming days. We think with all your support and encouragement and great involvement of Nepalese youths, we will be able to work together to rebuild Nepal after this devastation.

To support our crowdfunding campaign, please click here.

Nepal Earthquake Drone Aerial Operations in collaboration with Cygnus Aerial Photography-Bangladesh!

Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) in collaboration with Cygnus Aerial Photography, Bangladesh has completed surveying areas affected by the earthquake of 7.9 M on April 25, 2015. The operation was carried out in order to send a strong message to our government that we must embrace this technology in order to monitor disaster in our country. Our sincere thanks goes to Er. Rishi Shah, Academician at Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) and Prof. Dr. Hira Bahadur Maharjan, Vice-Chancellor at Tribhuvan University for supporting our initiative to voice to bring this technology in Nepal. 

The operation was carried out at Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur and Nuwakot in order to have wide spectra of destruction due to the earthquake and how we can incorporate this UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle). During our visit we provided locals with relief supports as well.

Here is a small video depicting our work at different locations of Nepal produced by our collaborator: Cygnus Aerial.

We are continuously working on different aspects on helping our community whenever/however possible with all the supporting hands! Lets work together, lets help together!

We are currently working on the workshop on this technology in Nepal which will be held soon in Kathmandu in order to voice the need of such technology and encouraging our people to use it for surveying, research and rescue  in Nepal.

We would like to thank Naimul Opu, UAV Operator at Cygnus Aerial Photography who has been a very good friend of us on astronomy to extend his hands for our space science activities in Nepal. We are also thankful to officials at Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, Ministry of Science and Technology Nepal, Ministry of Information and Communication Nepal and Security Council of Nepal to listen us and realizing the importance of UAV technology in Nepal.

Crowd Funding Campaign 'Help Earthquake Survivors in Sindhupalchok'

***Support our crowd funding campaign***

April 25, 2015:

11:50 AM:: People were doing here and there at this Nawalpur Bazaar. Some people were busy for training and some with their regular Saturday business

11:58 AM::All the houses of this bazaar fell down expect the one standing in the middle and you can only hear people crying looking for their loved one, people looking for help inside the ruins of the houses!

 

Photo 1: One of the building at Nawalpur Bazaar after the great earthquake on April 25, 2015

 

We, Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO), saddened by the suffering of the people of Sindhupalchok which is the most affected region of Nepal due to the massive earthquake that took place place on Saturday, April 25, 2015 which collapsed more than 95 % houses over there along with highest number of death toll in Nepal. We hope by now, everyone is aware of the devastation in Nepal due to the earthquake. It's been six days since the devastation started with hundreds of aftershocks to damage remaining houses increasing number of homeless people in the district! Apart from that, the rain, bad weather, crowd of victims are acting as catalyst for the water and air borne diseases in the affected areas. Moreover, the scarcity of even the most common medicines, water purifiers and tents are worsening the situation.

Photo 2: People moving passing through the ruins of Nawalpur Bazaar to their temporary shelter.

Though thousands of houses collapsed during the quake, people relatively managed to escape to the open field to save their live. Now the question is how long they sustain in the open field under the open sky with no roof over their heads.

***Support our crowd funding campaign***

We would like to request our friends of astronomical community to support us to help these people in need.

Thank you very much for your support in advance!

NASO announces series of program for GAM2015!

We are pleased to announce a series of program on astronomy and space science for the month of April as our support to the Global Astronomy Month 2015 (GAM2015). 

To know more about GAM2015, feel free to watch this official trailer:

For complete and updated list of our program, please feel free to check our UPCOMING EVENT regularly.

If you plan to organize some events in support of GAM2015, please feel free to contact us. We would love to help you out to make your event grand success contributing to this global celebration this year in Nepal!

NAO2015 Application Accepted till April 17, 2015!

After the several request from the high school students about the time constraint due to pre-broad exams at their college, application deadline for the Second National Astronomy Olympiad 2015 (NAO2015) has been extended to April 10, 2015!

Late Application Deadline is April 17, 2015

APPLY NOW

         

The first round of selection is scheduled for April 18, 2015 during 12:00 Hrs- 14:00 Hrs where students will appear to answer the 45 multiple choice questions in order to qualify for the next round of selection that will be held as a closed camp in May-June, 2015.

***Nepalese citizens who are born after January 1, 1996 and currently studying at High School Level are eligible to participate in this program.***

Logo of Second National Astronomy Olympiad 2015- Nepal

Here's how it feels representing Nepal in International Arena! 

Nepalese students and team leaders at 8th International Olympiad in Astronomy and Astrophysics held in Romania, August, 2014

If you want to see yourself holding the flag and representing Nepal in Indonesia  for 2015, register for the program now! 

Late Application Deadline is April 17, 2015
APPLY NOW

You can help us by applying (eligible only) and sharing this information among your network via social media (facebook, twitter, etc) to help us to reach hunt those talents of Nepal who will represent Nepal in Indonesia in July!

NAO Organizing team has been working hard to hunt for next 5 best students who will participate in the upcoming 9th International Olympiad in Astronomy and Astrophysics that will be held in Central Java, Indonesia during July 26-August 4, 2015.

Galileo Teacher Training Program 2015 (GTTP2015) - Nepal!

A two day GTTP workshop was organized  by Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) at Motherland  Higher  Secondary  School  (MLHSS),  Pokhara  from  February  20-21, 2015. The program was conducted in Association with Global Hands on Universe (GHoU) and Pokhara Astronomical  Society (PAS) worked as local organizer of the event. Altogether sixteen Science teachers of  different schools at Pokhara actively participated in the workshop. Click here for the executive summary report of GTTP2015-Nepal.

Participants  were  requested  to  conduct  at  least  one  event  at  their  schools and they will be evaluated for Science Award which we are currently working on to encourage and motivate science teachers of Nepal to their classroom more interactive with available resources.

International Day of Cosmonautics and Aviation 2015 in Nepal!

Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) is pleased to announce series of programs during this month to celebrate 'International Day of Cosmonautics and Aviation 2015' in Nepal.

This year, we will be screening a docudrama SPACE RACE, produced by BBC in 2005, in order to give a clear perspective of the development on space sector during the year 1944-1969. The screening will be followed by an expert interactions where participants will allow to ask their queries related to the series.

Here is the screening schedule:

March 9, 2015- Space Race: Race for Rockets 

March 16, 2015- Space Race: Race for Satellites 

March 23, 2015- Space Race: Race for Survival

March 30, 2015- Space Race: Race for Moon

Please note that the screening will be at Conference Hall, Russian Center of Science and Culture, Kamalpokhari, Kathmandu, Nepal during 2:00 PM-4:00 PM. 

Are you interested to become a part of this celebration? CLICK HERE to book your seat! Limited seats available! Book your seat NOW!

Talk on Laboratory Astrophysics: Experiments and Simulation

Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) organized a talk program 'Laborotary Astrophysics: Experiments and Simulations' on Friday, 13th February, 2015 at Conference Hall, Thames International College, Old Baneshwor, Kathmandu. During the talk, invited speaker Dr. Uddhab Chaulagain presented his research work on the Laboratory Astrophysics during his Ph.D. in France. Dr. Chaulagain is a research assistance at LERMA, Université Pierre et Marie Curie (UPMC), Paris, France.

Dr. Chaulagain explained the participants how astrophysical phenomena studied inside the laboratory and highlighted the discovery of radiative shock wave during their plasma experiments by his team and mentioned that to be the first attempt for such result! He presented on how lasers simulation helps us to understand the vast universe inside a laboratory. He explained the important role of lasers to bring large scale astronomical phenomena under the control environment!

Dr. Chaulagain also presented the different educational programs on Masters and Ph.D. level in Europe and encourage participants to apply for their suitable program to develop their research career.

If you are on Facebook and Twitter and would like to know about our upcoming programs and activities, feel free to subscribe us.

If you are are researcher and would like to share your work with us, please feel free to write us so that we bridge you to the students and researcher who would like to know about your work and join you. 

An interaction on Astronomy, Astrophysics & NAO2015 at Orient College Kathmandu!

Unlike our previous interaction sessions, today's morning remained busy with an interaction program with the A-Level students at Orient College, Banbsari, Kathmandu, Nepal as we got an invitation by Surgeon B.C., Coordinator, A-Level at college to host an interaction for his students. During the interaction, we explore the interest of students on astronomy and brief them about 2nd National Astronomy Olympiad Program. We are happy to see the initiative from the college authority to express their support to our works in Nepal and for the invitation to brief its students about our different programs and how they can get involved.

Photo: Mr. Suresh Bhattarai, Chairman- Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) answering queries of students (Credit: Manisha Dwa)

We are glad to see the enthusiasm of the students and looking forward to provide them guidance for their career in astronomy and astrophysics in coming days. Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) has started National Astronomy Olympiad Program in Nepal since 2014 and successfully participated to the 8th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics held in Romania. Ms. Sabnam Shrestha and Mr. Naushad Miya Muslim, students from the Orient College (A-Level) were two students who succeeded to secure their seat for the closed camp that was held in Kathmandu during June 1-7, 2014.

Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) has started an Interaction Program named 'Astro Tea Talk'  every Thursday to meet and interact with people interested in astronomy and space science as its one of the new program for the celebration of International Year of Light and Light Based Technologies 2015(IYL2015) in Nepal.

If you wish to host an interaction program regarding National Astronomy Olympiad Program or other programs on astronomy and space science in Nepal at your school or colleges, please feel free to contact us.

If you are interested for the NAO2015, APPLY NOW!

Astro Tea-Talk & Star Party

A total of 33 participants (both science & non-science background) participated enthusiastically in the event. Rotaractors from Rotaract Club of Patan Durbar Square, Rotaract Club of Kathmandu Medical College, Rotaract Club of Lalitpur, Rotaract Club of Yala and Rotaract Club of Pashupati were also the part of the event. 

Mr. Suresh Bhattarai (Chairman and CEO of NASO), Rtr. Kishor Acharya (President St. Xavier's Physics Council- Nepal (SXPC-Nepal), Past President, Rotaract Club of Kathmandu Mid-Town) & Mr. Ishan Basyal (National Point of Contact (NPoC) for Nepal from Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC)) were the facilitators in the event from NASO. 

Equipment Used were: 

· Solar Telescope 

· 8’inch Dobsonian Optical Telescope 

· Binoculars 

During the first session of the program, participants were indulged in some interesting astronomical talk program with the facilitators. Mr. Suresh Bhattarai talked about Comet Love-Joy and Rosetta Mission. Mr. Kishor Acharya’s talk topic was “Pluto Flies”. Whereas, Mr. Ishan Basyal put some light over “Where is Everybody?.The talk program was followed by Solar Observation in the basketball court at Thames International College and a meal break before moving on to the next session ( Observation). 

In the second session held at Sano Gaucharan Community Park (Besides Sano Sansar Youth Hostel), Old Banshwor, participants were indulged purely in observation of the celestial bodies: 

1. Venus with its phases 

2. Andromeda Galaxy 

3. Pleiades 

4. Orion Nebula 

5. Jupiter and its Galilean Moons 

The program was coordinated by Rtr. Sichu Chitrakar, Club Secretary/ President Elect (RY 2014-15) and jointly organized by Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) and Rotaract Club of Kathmandu Mid-Town.

NASO Welcomes IYL2015 in Nepal!

Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) in association with Sano Sansar Youth Hostel organize an interaction program to welcome International Year of Light and Light Based Technologies (IYL2015) at at Hattiban Resort, Pharping, Kathmandu, Nepal. During the program, Er. Rishi Shah, Academician at Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) and Advisor/Patron at NASO share his experience with night sky and effect of light pollution for past few decades in Nepal.

Rishi Shah sharing his experience and importance of astronomy to the participants.

During sessions, participants get an opportunity to know more about astronomy, how light is important for life and also the consequences of light pollution for urban areas like Kathmandu! Participants shared their observations around them since their childhood and notice the effect of light pollution!

Participants posing for group photo with Er. Rishi Shah and NASO Officials during the interaction on IYL2015

As a part of a program, solar observation was carried out where participants had the first hand experience to look at the sun with solar telescope! Participants were selected based on their engagements on different academic streams: humanities to science/engineering.

If you are a female and studying science or would like to work as science communicator, please feel free to join us to empower female participation in science activities.