18th NASO Day: Foundation Day of the Nepal Astronomical Society

 -Kathmandu, Nepal

The Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) proudly celebrates its 18th Foundation Day, marking nearly two decades of dedicated efforts to inspire curiosity and expand knowledge in astronomy and space science across Nepal. Since its establishment, NASO has been at the forefront of nurturing young talents, fostering public interest, and promoting scientific temper through diverse outreach, education, and research initiatives.

On this special occasion, NASO is delighted to announce the handover of astronomical equipment to NASO-Karnali, a regional chapter of NASO. This initiative is aimed at amplifying astronomy and space science outreach activities in Karnali Province, one of Nepal’s most geographically diverse and educationally promising regions. The equipment handover, coordinated under the leadership of Dr. Pushpa Raj Acharya, represents a significant step toward ensuring equitable access to astronomical resources and opportunities for communities in the province.

Speaking on the occasion, NASO Chairperson Suresh Bhattarai remarked:

"As we mark 18 years of NASO, we reaffirm our commitment to making astronomy and space science accessible to all. The expansion of our outreach activities in Karnali Province reflects our vision of inclusive scientific growth, where every student, teacher, and enthusiast can look up to the skies with curiosity and confidence."

Adding to this, Dr. Pushpa Raj Acharya, Coordinator of NASO-Karnali, said:

"The handover of these astronomical instruments is a milestone for Karnali Province. It will empower our educators, students, and communities to engage directly with the universe, sparking curiosity and building scientific awareness in a region where access to such resources has been limited. Together with NASO, we are committed to nurturing the next generation of space science enthusiasts from Karnali."

With the handover of equipment, NASO-Karnali will be better equipped to conduct stargazing events, school-based astronomy sessions, teacher training, and public engagement activities that spark interest in the wonders of the universe.

NASO extends heartfelt gratitude to all its members, partners, and well-wishers who have supported the society’s journey since its inception. Together, we look forward to scaling new heights in the coming years as Nepal strengthens its presence in the global astronomy and space science community.

गतिशील मानव सौर्य मण्डल शिक्षक तालिम काठमाडौंमा सफलतापूर्वक सम्पन्न

-काठमाडौं, चैत ५, २०८१

नेपाल एस्ट्रोनोमिकल सोसाइटी (NASO) द्वारा आयोजित गतिशील मानव सौर्य मण्डल शिक्षक तालिम काठमाडौंको नासा कलेज, तिनकुने मा सफलतापूर्वक सम्पन्न भएको छ। नेपाल तथा फ्रान्समा स्थित शिक्षाका लागि खगोल कार्यालयहरुको सहकार्यमाआयोजित यस तालिमले नेपालमा खगोलशास्त्र शिक्षालाई प्रवर्द्धन गर्ने तथा विद्यालय शिक्षामा प्रयोगात्मक सिकाइ विधिहरू समावेश गर्ने लक्ष्य राखेको थियो।

तालिममा बागमती, मधेश र कोशी प्रदेशका १४ विद्यालय तथा संस्थाका २१ शिक्षक तथा शिक्षिकाहरू सहभागी भए। दुई-दिनसम्म चलेको कार्यक्रममा ग्रहहरूको कक्षीय गतिको अध्ययन, अन्तरक्रियात्मक गतिविधिहरू तथा गतिशील मानव सौर्य मण्डल प्रयोग गरेर ग्रहहरूको गति बुझ्ने कार्यशाला समावेश गरिएको थियो।

तालिम तीन जना स्रोत व्यक्तिहरू द्वारा सञ्चालन गरिएको थियो:

• इमानुएल रोलिन्डे, प्रबन्धक, शिक्षाका लागि खगोल कार्यालय, फ्रान्स

• सुरेश भट्टराई, प्रबन्धक, शिक्षाका लागि खगोल कार्यालय, नेपाल

• मनिषा द्वा, उप-प्रबन्धक, शिक्षाका लागि खगोल कार्यालय, नेपाल

कुल २१ सहभागीहरूमध्ये ७ पुरुष र १४ महिला थिए, जसले STEM शिक्षामा महिलाको सशक्त उपस्थिति दर्शाउँछ। कार्यक्रममा विद्यालय शिक्षामा खगोलशास्त्रलाई कसरी समावेश गर्ने, ग्रहहरूको गतिशीलता बुझाउने व्यावहारिक कार्यशालाहरू, तथा शिक्षकहरूलाई गतिशील मानव सौर्य मण्डल निर्माण र प्रयोग गर्ने सीप प्रदान गरिएको थियो।

यस तालिमले शिक्षकहरूलाई नवीनतम शिक्षण प्रविधिहरू अपनाउन प्रेरित गर्ने र विद्यार्थीहरूमा खगोलशास्त्र तथा अन्तरिक्ष विज्ञानप्रति रुचि बढाउने अपेक्षा गरिएको छ।

थप जानकारीको लागि सम्पर्क गर्नुहोस्:

नेपाल एस्ट्रोनोमिकल सोसाइटी (NASO)

P.O. Box 3649, काठमाडौं, नेपाल

📞 +९७७-९८४३७०८२४८

📧 info@naso.org.np

🌐www.naso.org.np

प्रेस विज्ञप्ति: एघारौँ राष्ट्रिय एस्ट्रोनोमी ओलम्पियाड २०२४ को आवेदन खुल्ला!

मितिः पुष २, २०८० 

प्रेस विज्ञप्ति

एघारौँ राष्ट्रिय एस्ट्रोनोमी ओलम्पियाड २०२४ को आवेदन खुल्ला 

सन् २०२४ को लागि संचालन गरिने एघारौँ राष्ट्रिय एस्ट्रोनोमी ओलम्पियाडको आवेदन आजबाट खुल्ला गरिएको छ । विद्यालयतहका विद्यार्थीहरुको प्रतिभा पहिचान तथा प्रवर्धनका लागि सन् २०१४ देखि संचालित कार्यक्रममा यस वर्ष कक्षा ८ देखि १२ मा अध्ययनरत १३ देखि २० वर्ष उमेर समुहका विद्यार्थीले आवेदन दिन सक्नेछन् । विद्यार्थीको तहगत सिकाइलाई ध्यान दिदै राष्ट्रिय एस्ट्रोनोमी ओलम्पियाड सन् २०१९ देखि जुनियर र सिनियर गरी दुई विधामा आयोजना गरिदैंछ । जस अन्तर्गत कक्षा ८–१० सम्मका विद्यार्थीले जुनियरमा आवेदन दिन सक्नेछन् भने ११–१२ का विद्यार्थीले सिनियरमा आवेदन दिन सक्नेछन्। 

ओलम्पियाडको पहिलो चरण (छनौट परिक्षा) प्रादेशिक चरणको रुपमा यहि जनवरी २७, २०२४ (माघ १३, २०८०) शनिबार दिउँसो १२ बजेदेखि २ बजेसम्म इटहरी, जनकपुर, काठमाडौं, पोखरा, बुटवल, सुर्खेत तथा धनगढीमा आयोजना गरिनेछ । ईच्छुक विद्यार्थीहरूले आवेदन फारम आफुलाई पायक पर्ने संबन्धित प्रदेशका हाम्रो संयोजकलाई बुझाउन सक्नेछन् । प्रदेश चरणमा गरेको प्रदर्शनका आधारमा दोस्रो चरण (राष्ट्रिय चरण) मा संबन्धित प्रदेशका विद्यार्थीहरुलाई सामेल गराइनेछ । यसरी दोस्रो चरणमा उत्कृष्ट प्रदर्शन गर्ने विद्यार्थीहरुलाई तेस्रो तथा अन्तिम चरणमा सहभागी गराइनेछ । तेस्रो चरणको मूल्याङ्कन मार्फत् सहभागी विद्यार्थीहरूलाई सन् २०२४ मा संचालन हुने अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय एस्ट्रोनोमी तथा एस्ट्रोफिजिक्स् ओलम्पियाडहरुको लागि सिफारिस गरिनेछ ।

कार्यक्रमको आवेदन फारम तथा सम्बन्धित सम्पूर्ण जानकारी www.nepalastronomicalsociety.org/olympiad मा उपलब्ध छ। कार्यक्रम सम्बन्धि जिज्ञासा तथा थप जानकारीको लागि कार्यालयको मोबाईल नं ९८४३७०८२४८ मा सम्पर्क गर्न सक्नुहुनेछ ।

धन्यवाद्, 

सुरेश भट्टराई

अध्यक्ष

नेपाल एष्ट्रोनोमिकल सोसाईटी

प्रेस विज्ञप्ति: आजबाट हामी पन्ध्रौं वर्षमा प्रवेश!

मिति: भदौ ९, २०७८

प्रेस विज्ञप्ति

आजबाट हामी पन्ध्रौं वर्षमा प्रवेश

नेपालमा खगोल तथा अन्तरिक्ष विज्ञान सम्बन्धि जनचेतनामुलक गतिविधि गर्दै, यस क्षेत्रमा अध्ययन एवं अनुसन्धानका लागि वातावरण सृजना गर्ने अभियानका साथ वि. सं. २०६४ सालबाट शुरु भएको हाम्रो यात्रा विभिन्न आरोह/अवरोह पार गर्दै आजबाट विधिवत् रूपमा चौध वर्ष पुरा गर्दै पन्ध्र वर्षमा प्रवेश गरेको जानकारी यहाँहरुसामु प्रस्तुत गर्न पाउँदा निकै हर्षित छौं। हामीलाई थाहा छ यो हर्षसंगै थप चुनौतीहरू हामीसामु आउँनेछन्। देश तथा विदेशमा रहनुहुने हाम्रा कनिष्क, असोसियट, साधारण, आजीवन सदस्यहरू तथा अहोरात्र खट्ने स्वयंसेवकहरु यस्ता चुनौतीहरूको सामना गर्दै देशमा थप अवसरका आयामहरु सृजना गर्न सधैं अग्रसर रहने कुरा यसै प्रेस विज्ञप्ति मार्फत् व्यक्त गर्न चाहन्छौं ।

नेपाललगायत एसियाप्रशान्त एवं मध्यपूर्व क्षेत्रका देशहरूमा हाम्रो ज्ञानलाई बाढ्ने अभियानमा हामीलाई विश्वास गरी सहकार्यका लागि अग्रसर विभिन्न संघ/संस्था/विद्यालय तथा विश्वविद्यालयहरू प्रति हामी आभार व्यक्त गर्दछौं। नेपालमा बसेर के नै गर्न सकिएला र? भन्नेहरुका लागि हाम्रो अभियान आफैंमा एउटा चुनौती हुन सक्छ।

साथै विगतका भोगाइहरूबाट प्राप्त अनुभवसंगै यहाँहरूको साथ र सहयोगमा नेपाल अनि नेपालीको विश्वमानचित्रमा एउटा छुट्टै पहिचान बनाउने प्रयासलाई अझै सशक्त बनाउँदै लैजानेछौं। यसै सिलसिलामा कोभिड-१९ कै महामारीबीच केहि महत्त्वाकाङ्क्षी योजनाहरू सुरु गर्ने प्रयास गर्दैछौं। यस्ता महत्त्वाकाङ्क्षी योजनाहरूबारे आगामी दिनमा थप जानकारी दिदै जानेछौं।

विगत् १४ वर्षमा यहाँहरुले देखाउनुभएको सद्भाव, माया, विश्वास, सहयोगको लागि हार्दिक धन्यवाद् आभार व्यक्त गर्न चाहन्छौं। साथै, आगामी दिनमा अझै धेरै सहयोग, साथ, विश्वास र मायाको अपेक्षा पनि गर्दछौं।


धन्यवाद्।
सुरेश भट्टराई
अध्यक्ष
नेपाल एष्ट्रोनोमिकल सोसाईटी

प्रेस विज्ञप्ति: दुईदेशीय खगोल विज्ञानको विकासका लागि संझौता!

 मिति: भदौ १, २०७८

प्रेस विज्ञप्ति

दुईदेशीय खगोल विज्ञानको विकासका लागि संझौता

दक्षिणपूर्वी एसियाली राष्ट्र ब्रुनेईमा नेपालमा अभ्यास गरिएका खगोलविज्ञान संबन्धि गतिविधि प्रचारप्रसार गर्न र नेपालमा यस क्षेत्रमा काम गर्दा संकलित ज्ञान हस्तान्तरण गर्दै खगोलविज्ञानको विकासका लागि सहकार्य मार्फत् अगाडि बढ्न नेपाल एष्ट्रोनोमिकल सोसाईटी (नासो) तथा ब्रुनेई दारुस्सलाम एस्ट्रोनोमिकल सोसाइटी (पाब्ड) बीच पन्ध्र वर्षको लागि सहमति भएको जानकारी गराउँन पाउँदा निकै हर्षित छौं।

गत साउन ३२ गते सोमबार आयोजित भर्चुअल भेलामा दुवैसंस्थाका अधिकारीहरूको उपस्थितिमा नेपाल एष्ट्रोनोमिकल सोसाईटीको तर्फबाट संस्थाका अध्यक्ष सुरेश भट्टराई तथा ब्रुनेई दारुस्सलाम एस्ट्रोनोमिकल सोसाइटीका तर्फबाट संस्थाका अध्यक्ष अवाङ् हाजी महादी बिन हाजी ताहिरले संझौतापत्रमा हस्ताक्षर गर्नुभयो।

सहमति अनुसार दुवै संस्थाले विभिन्न चार मुख्य क्षेत्रको प्रचारप्रसार तथा कार्यान्वयनका लागि काम गर्नेछन्।

• विभिन्न तथ्याङ्क केन्द्रित नागरिक विज्ञान परियोजनाहरू आयोजना गर्ने
• खगोलविज्ञान संबन्धि दुईदेशीय सञ्चार संजालको समन्वय गर्ने
• यस्ता गतिविधिहरूलाई कार्यान्वयन गर्न आवश्यक कोष संकलन गर्ने
• दुवै देशमा खगोलविज्ञानको विकासलाई टेवा पुर्‍याउन आपसी हितका अन्य क्षेत्रहरुमा सहकार्य गर्ने

यस सहमतिले दुवै देशमा बलियो वैज्ञानिक समुदाय निर्माण गर्न, खोज अनुसन्धानको वातावरण बनाउन, विभिन्न तालिम तथा अन्तरक्रिया कार्यक्रमहरू मार्फत् दुईदेशीय क्षमता विकास गर्न तथा संयुक्त खगोलविज्ञान परियोजनाहरू संचालन गर्न भूमिका खेल्ने आशा लिईएको छ।

नेपालमै बसेर नेपाली तथा विश्वसमुदायको लागि काम गर्ने हाम्रो अभियान जारी छ। यो कार्य कठिन भएता पनि असम्भव भने होइन भन्ने संदेश देश तथा विदेशमा रहनुभएका सम्पूर्ण नेपालीहरूमाझ व्यक्त गर्न चाहन्छौं। नेपाल एष्ट्रोनोमिकल सोसाईटीको टोलीलाई यदि राज्यको साथ, समर्थन तथा सहयोग भए विश्वमानचित्रमा खगोलविज्ञानको क्षेत्रमा नेपालको विशेष/छुट्टै छवि बनाउने हाम्रो अभियानलाई द्रुतगतिमा अगाडि बढाउन सकिने कुरा पनि यसै प्रेस विज्ञप्ति मार्फत् व्यक्त गर्न चाहन्छौं।

सहमति तथा हाम्रा गतिविधिहरू संबन्धि थप जानकारीका लागि हाम्रो कार्यालयको संपर्क नं ९८४३७०८२४८ मा संपर्क गर्नसक्नुहुनेछ ।

धन्यवाद्,

सुरेश भट्टराई

अध्यक्ष

नेपाल एष्ट्रोनोमिकल सोसाईटी

प्रेस विज्ञप्ति: पुरस्कार वितरण कार्यक्रम संपन्न!

मिति: साउन २९, २०७८

प्रेस विज्ञप्ति

पुरस्कार वितरण कार्यक्रम संपन्न

कोभिड-१९ को कारण रोकिएको 'वर्ड स्पेस विक' संबन्धि विद्यालयतहका विद्यार्थी लक्षित दुई कार्यक्रमको पुरस्कार वितरण कार्यक्रम आज हाम्रो बत्तीसपुतलीस्थित कार्यलयको प्राङ्गणमा सम्पन्न भयो। कार्यक्रममा उपस्थित विजेताहरुलाई प्रतियोगिता अनुसार पुरस्कार, प्रमाणपत्र, नगद, टेलिस्कोप तथा पदक प्रदान गरियो।

सन् २०१९ मा 'द मुन: गेटवे टु द स्टार्स' थिममा संचालित तेस्रो राष्ट्रिय अन्तरिक्ष चित्रकला प्रतियोगितामा प्रथम स्थान हासिल गर्न सफल क्याम्पियन स्कुल, लगनखेलकी सुश्री सुएन भट्टराईले टेलिस्कोप, पटक एवं प्रमाणपत्र प्राप्त गरिन्। समारोहमा उपस्थित तथा प्रतियोगितामा तृतीय हुन सबल द सेलिब्रेसन को-एड स्कुल, जोरपाटीका श्री अमन बस्नेतले प्रमाणपत्र एवं पदक तथा सान्त्वना पुरस्कार प्राप्त गर्न सफल श्री पञ्चकन्या माध्यमिक विद्यालय, छाउनीकी सुश्री सरिता रम्तेलले प्रमाणपत्र एवं गिफ्ट ह्याम्पर प्राप्त गरे। त्यसैगरी सन् २०२० मा 'स्याटेलाइट्स ईम्प्रुभ लाईफ' थिममा संचालित चौथो राष्ट्रिय अन्तरिक्ष चित्रकला प्रतियोगितामा प्रथम स्थान हासिल गर्न सफल किड्स लर्निङ् स्कुल, कुमारीस्थानकी सुश्री रिना चौधरीले टेलिस्कोप, पटक एवं प्रमाणपत्र तथा द्वितीय हुन सफल बुढानिलकण्ठ स्कुल, बुढानिलकण्ठकी सुश्री निति पछाईले प्रमाणपत्र एवं पटक प्राप्त गरिन्।

कार्यक्रमको दोस्रो भागमा सन् २०१९ एवं २०२० मा संचालित राष्ट्रिय अनलाइन अन्तरिक्ष वक्तृत्वकला प्रतियोगिताहरुलाई सम्मान गर्ने तय भएको थियो। कार्यक्रममा उपस्थित दोस्रो राष्ट्रिय अनलाईन अन्तरिक्ष वक्तृत्वकला प्रतियोगिता २०२० मा द्वीतीय हुन सफल ट्रिनिटी कलेज, डिल्लीबजारका श्री रोहन भट्टराईले नगद रू पांच हजार, पदक तथा प्रमाणपत्र प्राप्त गरे।

पुरस्कार वितरण कार्यक्रममा विविध कारणले उपस्थित हुन असमर्थ विजेताहरूले हाम्रो कार्यालयमा आफ्नो संपर्क गरी आफ्नो पुरस्कार संकलन गर्न सक्नेछन्।

राष्ट्रिय अन्तरिक्ष चित्रकला प्रतियोगिताको लागि टेलिस्कोप प्रायोजन गर्नुहुने मेक इन्जिनियरीङ्गका श्री अर्केत महर्जनज्युले यस्ता किसिमका प्रतियोगिताले विद्यार्थीको प्रतिभालाई उजागर गर्न टेवा पुर्याउने बताउनुभयो। कार्यक्रममा श्री पञ्चकन्या माध्यमिक विद्यालय, छाउनीकी प्रधानाध्यापक श्रीमती रुपा मानन्धर, द सेलिब्रेसन को-एड स्कुल, जोरपाटीका उप-प्रधानाध्यापक श्री सागर दाहालज्युले नेपाल एष्ट्रोनोमिकल सोसाईटीसंगको पहिलो भेटको संझना तथा यसले विद्यालय तहका विद्यार्थी तथा शिक्षकका संचालन गर्ने कार्यक्रमहरुको प्रशंसा गर्नुभयो। कार्यक्रममा 'वर्ड स्पेस विक' का लागि नेपाल संयोजक तथा नेपाल एस्ट्रोनोमिकल सोसाइटीकी निर्देसक/परियोजना संयोजक सुश्री मनिषाद्वाले विजयी संपूर्णमा बधाई दिदै सन् २०२१ को लागि यी दुई प्रतियोगिताको आवेदन छिट्टै खुलाईने बताउनुभयो। साथै उहाँले यो वर्षको थिम 'विमिन इन स्पेस' रहेको जानकारी गराउनुभयो।

सन् १९९९ मा संयुक्त राष्ट्रसंघले घोषणा गरेसंगै सन २००० देखी विश्वव्यापी रुममा अक्टोबर ४-१० वा सेरोफेरोमा मनाउन थालिएको वर्ड स्पेस विक कार्यक्रम नेपाल एष्ट्रोनोमिकल सोसाईटीले आफ्नो स्थापनाकाल सन् २००७ देखी हरेक वर्ष विभिन्न कार्यक्रम आयोजना गर्दै राष्ट्रियस्तरमा मनाउँदै आइरहेको छ।

पुरस्कार वितरण कार्यक्रममा उपस्थित संपूर्ण विजेता तथा अभिभावकज्युहरू प्रति हार्दिक धन्यवाद् तथा बधाई दिन चाहन्छौं ।

धन्यवाद्,
सुरेश भट्टराई
अध्यक्ष
नेपाल एष्ट्रोनोमिकल सोसाईटी

प्रेस विज्ञप्ति: आठौं राष्ट्रिय एस्ट्रोनोमी ओलम्पियाडको आवेदन आह्वान!

 मिति: फागुन २५,२०७७

प्रेस विज्ञप्ति

आठौं राष्ट्रिय एस्ट्रोनोमी ओलम्पियाडको आवेदन आह्वान

सन् २०२१ को लागि संचालन गरिने आठौं राष्ट्रिय एस्ट्रोनोमी ओलम्पियाडको आवेदन आज खुलेको छ। विद्यालयतहका विद्यार्थीहरुको प्रतिभा पहिचान तथा प्रवर्द्धनका लागि सन् २०१४ देखि संचालित कार्यक्रममा यस वर्ष कक्षा ८ देखी १२ सम्मका विद्यार्थीले आवेदन दिन सक्नेछन्। विद्यार्थीको तहगत सिकाइलाई ध्यान दिदै राष्ट्रिय एस्ट्रोनोमी ओलम्पियाड जुनियर र सिनियर गरी दुई विधामा आयोजना गरिनेछ। जस अन्तर्गत कक्षा ८-१० सम्मका विद्यार्थीले जुनियरमा आवेदन दिन सक्नेछन् भने ११-१२ का विद्यार्थीले सिनियरमा आवेदन दिन सक्नेछन्।

ओलम्पियाडको पहिलो चरण/छनौट परिक्षा प्रादेशिक चरणको रुपमा यहि अप्रिल १०, २०२१ (चैत्र २८, २०७७) शनिबार बिहान दिउँसो १२ बजेदेखि २ बजेसम्म इटहरी, जनकपुर, काठमाडौं, पोखरा, बुटवल, सुर्खेत तथा धनगढीमा आयोजना गरिनेछ। ईच्छुक विद्यार्थीहरूले आवेदन फारम आफुलाई पायक पर्ने संबन्धित प्रदेशका हाम्रो संयोजक तथा सदस्यहरुलाई बुझाउन वा हाम्रो कार्यालयमा सिधै इमेल (naso.office@gmail.com) गर्न सक्नेछन्।

प्रदेश चरणमा गरेको प्रदर्शनका आधारमा दोस्रो चरण (राष्ट्रिय चरण) मा संबन्धित प्रदेशका विद्यार्थीहरुलाई सामेल गराइनेछ। यसरी दोस्रो चरणमा उत्कृष्ट प्रदर्शन गर्ने विद्यार्थीहरुलाई तेर्सो तथा अन्तिम चरणमा सहभागी गराइनेछ। तेस्रो चरणको मूल्याङ्कन मार्फत् सहभागी विद्यार्थीहरूलाई यो वर्ष संचालन हुने अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय एस्ट्रोनोमी तथा एस्ट्रोफ़िसिक्स ओलम्पियाडहरुको लागि सिफारिस गरिनेछ।

कार्यक्रमको आवेदन फारम तथा सम्बन्धि सम्पूर्ण जानकारी www.nepalastronomicalsociety.org/olympiad मा उपलब्ध छ।

कार्यक्रम संबन्धि जिज्ञासा तथा थप जानकारीको लागि कार्यालयको मोबाईल नं ९८४३७०८२४८ मा सम्पर्क गर्न सक्नुहुनेछ ।

धन्यवाद्,
सुरेश भट्टराई
अध्यक्ष
नेपाल एष्ट्रोनोमिकल सोसाईटी 

Partial Solar Eclipse Observed from Nepal!

Partial Solar Eclipse on June 21, 2020 proved as one of the best celestial event for us to reach millions of people from Nepal. Though COVID-19 pandemic disrupted our public observation campaign with cancellation of the many onsite observing facilities across the country, we implemented different mode of interaction to create this observing opportunities to people. We are very happy to see so many people across the country sharing their stories with us saying that our information and guidance helped them greatly to be prepared for the safe observation.

Photo 1: Composite of Partial Solar Eclipse from starting to maxima as seen from NASO office, Battishputali, Kathmandu on Sunday, June 21, 2020. Credit: Manisha Dwa

How did we manage to reach out more people encouraging them for safe viewing of the eclipse? This blog post is to help you understand our story closely!

June 13, 2020: Special Interview

We started coordination with Department of Survey for the coordinates of northwest tip of Nepal, Limpiayaadhura. We shared our new insight with Mr. Mani Dahal, member IAU NOC Committee Nepal, who interviewed Mr. Suresh Bhattarai, Chairman, Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) and IAU National Committee for Nepal and published the news! Click here to read this exclusive news which encouraged other media! It's really exciting how people accepted this idea and started interacting with media sharing the info following our footsteps!

Photo 2: Map of Byans Rural Municipality (ब्याँस गाउँपालिका) from where the maximum partial eclipse occurred on June 21, 2020. Limpiayadhura is a part of this municipality according to the map published by the Department of Survey (DOS), Government of Nepal. Credit: Mr. Mahesh Chandra Pudasaini

June 14, 2020: Press Release

We released our press release with an information about the eclipse with timings for capitals for each province as well as Kathmandu.

We would like thank all the media houses for covering our information and joining our outreach efforts. We would like to express our special thanks to Mr. Purna Prasad Mishra, member of the IAU NOC Committee Nepal, and Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS) for the interview and sharing our information to RSS network. RSS is a national news agency of Nepal.

June 16, 2020: Call for Queries using hashtag #AskNASO

We released a special video for the public announcing that we will have a live Q/A session on Facebook Page scheduled for 7:00 PM, June 20, 2020. . We received several queries through email, Facebook and Instagram. Click here to watch the announcement/call.

June 18, 2020: Interaction on 'Astronomy Outreach and Education in Nepal'

This interaction program was tailored to the senior high school student and teachers. We shared some of our senior high school programs to the participants (teachers and students) from all seven provinces. Our main focus was to motivate and encourage the participants to observe the solar eclipse safely. We shared different methods of observations and recommended pinhole camera method in case the school or community do not have telescopes or solar eclipse glasses. Total of 193 participants registered for the interaction.

June 19, 2020: Special Weather Bulletin

For any national scale observation program, we have been contacting Meteorological Forecasting Division (MFD), Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) for couple of years. We contacted them with our request for the special weather bulletin for the eclipse day so that we can plan our observation accordingly. We received the bulletin which was very helpful for us to be in confidence that we will at least get an opportunity to observe the eclipse. In fact, we were able to observe the eclipse from starting to max from our office then it started to rain in Kathmandu.

June 19, 2020: Video Release for Safe Observation of the Eclipse

We released a special video with an information on how people can build pinhole camera box for the observation of the partial solar eclipse from home. Ms. Manisha Dwa, project coordinator at NASO explained the method in single shot video in order to motivate people to understand the easy way to build it from locally available resources. Click here to watch the video.

June 19, 2020: Interaction with Junior High School students and teachers

We had an excellent interaction session with the junior high school students and teachers. Students were really happy to know the easiest method they can use to observe the solar eclipse safely from their home. Teachers were happy that they had something to engage their students during the eclipse time!

June 20, 2020: TV interview

We had a good session with Avenues TV team visiting our office for the correct information as they were confused with the information related to eclipse provided by B.P. Koirala Memorial Planetarium, Observatory and Science Museum Development Board (BPKMPOSMD). The BPKMPOSMD is a government body for astronomy, astrophysics and space science in Nepal under the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

June 20, 2020: Interaction with SEE2076 students

This session was dedicated to the SEE2076 students ( who graduated class 10 this year) and the participants were from across the country. the session was hosted by Mr. Sagar Dahal, our National Astronomy Olympiad focal contact for Bagmati Pradesh and Vice-President of The Celebration Co-Ed School. The session was primarily focused on the solar eclipse and we spend our time interacting with the students and their queries related to eclipse.

June 20, 2020: Facebook Live Q/A Session on Eclipse

We had a very engaging Facebook live Q/A session where we answered queries from public. We answered the queries received through email, Facebook page and Instagram page as well as queries posted in our live session by the participants. Click here to watch the record of the session.

June 21, 2020: Eclipse Day

• NASO Live: The scheduled live streaming from our YouTube Channel get disrupted due to technical and connectivity issues. 
• Prime Times TV Live: We had the Prime Time Television joining us at our office for their live broadcasting of the eclipse with our interviews. Having a national television joining our live streaming encouraged us to help them to stream and share our scientific opinion on the solar eclipse. 
• Photography/Videography: Our team were busy taking photos and videos while interacting with the televisions as well as news agencies and other media visiting our office.  
• Interviews: Ms. Manisha Dwa was interviewed by Asian News International (ANI) and Mr. Suresh Bhattarai was interviewed by Agence France-Presse (AFP) about the eclipse, our preparation and opinions/views on different superstitious beliefs related to solar eclipse. Besides these two news agencies, our team were busy giving interviews to different television channels, radios and online media in before and during the eclipse.
• Sharing Resources: We provided solar filters for the journalists assisting them for their photo and video reporting of the eclipse. We also provided eclipse glasses to them so that they can do some outreach while visiting other places for reporting.

Besides these activities, our office team was busy interacting and guiding science teachers at different locations for their arrangement of the safe solar eclipse observation programs. 

By now, we have reports of eclipse observations from province 1, province 2, Bagmati Pradesh, Gandaki Pradesh and province 5. We received a report of bad weather in Karnali Pradesh and Sudurpashchim Pradesh with didn't let people in this provinces to observe the eclipse. 

We also received several photos, videos and reports from students and teachers who used our video for making pinhole camera box for safe observation.

For those of you who have solar filters, eclipse glasses or made good pinhole camera box, we would advice them to keep them safe until October 25, 22 so that they can use it again for the safe observation. Yes, the next solar eclipse visible from Nepal will be on October 25, 2022 i.e. Kartik 08, 2079 (date conversion done with HamroPatro Mobile App). So, are you ready for 2022?

We would like to thank everyone who joined us to this one of the greatest moment of this year despite of this COVID-19 pandemic. Thank you!

Call for Astrophoto 2020!

We are pleased to announce that we will be hosting joint 'Astrophotography Exhibition' with India and China In June 2020.

For this, we open a call for Astrophotos where anyone who has taken Astrophotos from Nepal can submit for the evaluation. Selected photos will be showcased during the exhibition.

Due to COVID-19 pandemic, the exhibition will be online. For more details, please read the information in the poster or contact us. 

Looking forward to welcoming some exciting works of you for the exhibition. 

NAO2020 Pre-closed Camp Result Published Today!

The result of the Pre-Closed Camp of the 7th National Astronomy Olympiad 2020 senior category, published today! Pre-Closed is the second round of the National Astronomy Olympiad (NAO) program in Nepal. It was held during February 15-March 15, 2020 students selected from the first rounds were provided different assignments. Based on the evaluation of the submissions of the assignments by the participants, 40 students have been selected for the final round i.e. closed camp of NAO.

Selected students will be invited to participate at the Closed Camp session to be held during Jun/July this year. Due to COVID-19 pandemic, we are working on online version of the closed camp.

Students are requested to contact our office for further details. We also request them to check their emails regularly for updates/preparation for the upcoming closed camps sessions.

Congratulations to all the selected students!

Sign Up for NASA Space Apps COVID-19 Challenge in Nepal!

The wait is now over! Registration for the NASA Space Apps COVID-19 Challenge is now available! It's time to use NASA, ESA and JAXA earth observation data to participate in the challenge set by COVID-19 pandemic!

How to register?
1) Visit www.nepalastronomicalsociety.org/covid19
2) Click on the event 'NASA Space Apps COVID-19 Challenge, May 30-31, 2020
3) You will be redirected to sign up page
4) Sign up yourself with your ' email' and chosen' username'
5) You will receive an email to' Verify' your account. Once, verified you will receive another email with verification confirmation.
6) Choose 'South and Central Asia' and click on Register Now'.
7) Check your email for registration confirmation. Note your username and password that you created for accessing the Challenge 'Dashboard' and learn more!
8) For any confusion or issues, contact NASO office, for the support.

Ready to be a part of this global event in Nepal? Register now! We look forward to welcoming you!

प्रेस विज्ञप्ति: राष्ट्रिय क्षुद्रग्रह खोज अभियान सम्बन्धमा!

मिति: वैशाख १८, २०७७

प्रेस विज्ञप्ति

राष्ट्रिय क्षुद्रग्रह खोज अभियान सम्बन्धमा!

नेपाल एष्ट्रोनोमिकल सोसाईटीले सन् २०१६ देखि नेपालमा संचालन गर्दै आएको राष्ट्रिय क्षुद्रग्रह खोज अभियान मार्फत नेपाली विद्यार्थी तथा शिक्षकहरुले हालसम्म ७५८ (सात सय अन्ठाउन्न) वटा क्षुद्रग्रहहरुको प्रारम्भिक पहिचान (Preliminary Status) गरिसकेको जानकारी गराउन चाहन्छौं। यी ७५८ प्रारम्भिक पहिचान भएका मध्ये हालसम्म ७ (सात) वटा क्षुद्रग्रहहरुले अस्थाई पहिचान (Provisional Status) पाइसकेको यहाँहरु माँझ  जानकारी गराउन पाउँदा निकै हर्षित छौं। यी सबै अस्थाई पहिचान पाउने क्षुद्रगृहहरु नेपाली विद्यार्थी तथा शिक्षकहरुले सन् २०१८ र २०१९ मा पत्ता लगाएका हुन्।

हालसम्म अस्थाई काम प्राप्त गर्न सफल क्षुद्रगृहहरु यसप्रकार छन्: २०१८ वाईएस४ (2018 YS4), २०१९  एई१८ (2019 AE18), २०१९ जेएफ६० (2019 JF60), २०१९ केबि१५ (2019 KB15), २०१९ केके१८ (2019 KK18), २०१९ केडब्ल्यु९ (2019 KW9) र २०१९ केके५ (2019 KK5)। यी सातमध्ये पहिलो छ वटा क्षुद्रग्रहहरु मेनबेल्ट एस्टेरोइड (Main Belt Asteroid) हुन् भने अन्तिम सातौं एपोलो समुहको नियर अर्थ एस्टेरोइड (Near Earth Asteroid/ Apollo Group) हो । यी क्षुद्रगृहहरु कक्षा ८ देखि स्नातकोत्तर गर्दै गरेका विद्यार्थी एवं माध्यमिक तथामा शिक्षणरत शिक्षक/शिक्षिकाहरुले पत्ता लगाएका हुन् ।

राष्ट्रिय क्षुद्रग्रह खोज अभियान अन्तर्गत भाग लिएका विद्यार्थीहरुले अमेरिकाको हवाईस्थित १.८ मीटर को टेलिस्कोपले खिचेका तस्विरहरुमा आफ्नो इन्टरनेटसहितको कम्प्युटरमा दिईएको सफ्टवेयर मार्फत खोजि गर्नु पर्ने हुन्छ । यी तस्विरहरु अमेरिका स्थित हाम्रो सहकर्मी संस्था 'इन्टरनेसनल एष्ट्रोनोमिकल सर्च कोलाबोरेशन-ई.ए.एस.सी.' ले प्रदान गर्दै आएको छ ।  सन् २०१८ देखि हामीले क्षुद्रग्रह खोज तालिम संचालन गरे संगै कार्यक्रम थप प्रभावकारी भन्दै गएको देखिएको छ। ईच्छुक जो कोहीले हाम्रो खोज टोली बनाएर अभियानमा भाग लिन आवेदन दिन सक्छन। अभियानमा भाग लिन कुनै शुल्क लाग्दैन । प्राप्त आवेदनहरुमध्ये प्रत्येक यस वर्ष देखि प्रत्येक अभियानमा १५ टोली समावेश गरिदै आएका छौं।

कार्यक्रम सम्बन्धि सम्पूर्ण जानकारीक लागि www.nepalastronomicalsociety.org/asteroidsearch हेर्नुहोला।


धन्यवाद,

सुरेश भट्टराई
अध्यक्ष
नेपाल एष्ट्रोनोमिकल सोसाईटी

प्रेस विज्ञप्ति: क्षुद्रग्रह १९९८ ओ.आर.२ पृथ्वी नजिक आउने सम्बन्धमा!

मिति: वैशाख १५, २०७७

प्रेस विज्ञप्ति

क्षुद्रग्रह १९९८ ओ.आर.२ पृथ्वी नजिक आउने सम्बन्धमा

सामाजिक संजालमा भईरहेका चर्चा, केहि राष्ट्रिय, क्षेत्रीय तथा अन्तर्राष्ट्रियस्तरका अनलाइन पोर्टलमा आएका क्षुद्रग्रह १९९८ ओ.आर.२ संबन्धि समाचारहरुले नेपाली जनमानसमा पर्ने गरेको छाप प्रति हाम्रो ध्यानाकर्षण भएको जानकारी गराउन चाहन्छौं। 

प्राय: राष्ट्रिय, क्षेत्रीय तथा अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय सबै स्तरका समाचारले यो क्षुद्रग्रह पृथ्वीदेखी नजिकै आउने बताइएको भए पनि  कति नजिक आउने हो, यसले पृथ्वीमा खतरा छ/छैन तथा नाङ्गो आँखाले देख्न सकिने/निस्किने बारे स्पष्टरुपमा बताइएको नपाईएकाले नेपाली नागरिकको सुसुचित हुन पाउने हकको सम्मान गर्दै यो विज्ञप्ति जारी गर्दछौं। साथै यसै विज्ञप्ति मार्फत् अस्पष्ट रहेका विषय स्पष्ट पार्न चाहन्छौं। आशा छ मलाई यहाहरु सबैले शेयर गरी अनावश्यक त्रासबाट नेपाली जनतालाई मुक्त राख्ने हाम्रो प्रयासमा साथ दिनुहुनेछ। 

अप्रिल २९ तारिख /वैशाख १७ गते के हुँदैछ?

यस दिन यो क्षुद्रग्रह पृथ्वीदेखी सबैभन्दा नजिक आउँदैछ। तर अत्यन्तै नजिक हँदा पनि यो आकाशीय पिण्ड हामीभन्दा करिब ६२, ८२,००० (बैसठ्ठी लाख बयासी हजार) किलोमिटर टाढा रहनेछ। पृथ्वी र चन्द्रमाबीचको औसत दुरी करिब ३,८४,००० (तीन लाख चौरासी हजार किलोमिटर) छ। त्यसैले यसरी नजिक आउँदा पनि यो क्षुद्रग्रह हामीबाट चन्द्रमा भन्दा करिब साढे सोह्र गुणा  टाढा रहनेछ। 

के यो क्षुद्रग्रहबाट पृथ्वीलाई केहि खतरा छ त? 

यो क्षुद्रग्रह सन् १९९८ जुलाई २४ तारिखमा पहिलो पटक पत्ता लागेको थियो र त्यसैले यसको नाम अर्थात् १९९८ ओ.आर.२ रहन गएको हो। यो क्षुद्रग्रहको वैज्ञानिक नाम '५२७६८' हो। कुनै पनि क्षुद्रग्रहलाई हामीले/खगोलवैज्ञानिकहरुले राम्रोसँग बुझेपछि यस्तो किसिमको नाम दिइन्छ। यो क्षुद्रग्रहको अस्थायी नाम '१९९८ ओ. आर. २ हो भने स्थायी नाम' ५२७६८' हो। विगत् तीन दशकभन्दा बढि समयदेखि निगरानीबाट प्राप्त ज्ञान अनुसार यो क्षुद्रग्रहबाट पृथ्वीलाई कुनै खतरा छैन। त्यसैले हाल कोहि पनि त्रसित हुनुपर्ने अवस्था होइन। 

के नेपालमा पनि यस्तो किसिमको खोजीकार्य भईरहेको छ? 

सन् २०१६ देखि हामीले नेपालमा संचालन गर्दै आएको राष्ट्रिय क्षुद्रग्रह खोज अभियान भाग लिएका विद्यार्थीहरुले पत्ता लगाएका र प्रारम्भिक पहिचान पाउन सफल थुप्रै क्षुद्रग्रहमध्ये हालसम्म एउटाले अस्थायी नाम पाई सुकेको छ। उक्त क्षुद्रग्रह एस. ओ. एस. सानोठिमीमा कक्षा १२ मा अध्ययनरत विद्यार्थीहरुले सन् २०१९ मा पत्ता लगाएका हुन् जसको नाम २०१९ ए. ई. १८ हो। यसलाई नेपाली विद्यार्थीहरुले सन् २०१९ जनवरी २ तारिख पत्ता लगाएका हुन्। 

के यो क्षुद्रग्रहलाई वैशाख १७ गते /अप्रिल २९ तारिखका दिन नेपाली आकासमा नाङ्गो आँखाले देख्न सकिन्छ? 

हालैको एउटा अध्ययनले यो क्षुद्रग्रहको आकार करिब २ किलोमिटरको रहेको बताइएको छ। सुरुमा यसको आकार १.८ देखि ४.१ किलोमिटर अनुमान गरिएकोमा अरेसीबो वेधशाला ले अप्रिल १८, २०२० मा लिएको रडार तस्विरको अध्ययनबाट यो क्षुद्रग्रह करिब २ किलोमिटरको रहेको बताइएको छ। त्यसैले नजिक आउँदा पृथ्वी-चन्द्रमाको दुरीभन्दा कम्तिमा १६ गुणा टाढा रहने र करिब २ किलोमिटरको रहेकोले साथै यसको औसत् अपेरेन्ट म्याग्निच्युड करिब ११ रहेकोले नाङ्गो आँखाले यसलाई देख्न सकिदैन। यसलाई अबलोकन गर्न ठुलै खालको टेलिस्कोप आवश्यक पर्छ। 

हामी आशा गर्छौं यी सुचनाहरु क्षुद्रग्रह पृथ्वी नजिक आउने कुरालाई लिएर हाम्रो समाजमा सृजना भएको त्रास कम गर्न सहयोगी हुनेछन्। साथै आगामी दिनमा खगोल तथा अन्तरिक्ष विज्ञान सम्बन्धि सहि सुचना तथा सम्पूर्ण जानकारीका लागि हामीसंग जोडिनुहुन हार्दिक अनुरोध गर्दछौं।

धन्यवाद्,

सुरेश भट्टराई

अध्यक्ष 

नेपाल एष्ट्रोनोमिकल सोसाईटी

We are back!

It's been a while since we were not active in this blog due to several reasons! One of the reasons was that we could not access our blog hence unable to post updates of our activities almost a year!

If you have missed some of the important developments over a year then this blog may give you a quick access to all of them!

Over the year, we have introduced new programs such as space robotics in schools, national online space speech competition, junior category of the national astronomy Olympiad respectively. In the meantime, we have also worked on our existing programs such as Women in Science Award (WiSA), senior category of national astronomy Olympiad, community/school/corporate outreach packages, membership schemes, etc.

We also develop our guideline for partnership and collaborations in 2020 and beyond in order to  make sure it will become stable and sustainable. As our activities has been growing, this is one of the major challenges we are facing and want to reduce in coming days. In order to sustain the growth of our activities, our team at Kathmandu office has been working hard to identify the potential partners and draft clear partnership module. Not only we want  to increase our activities but also want to make sure the quality of our activities in coming days. 

With a support of Dr. Suman Satyal, member of our Scientific Advisory Committee, we have managed to set up our Paypal Account (our global window) to help our members outside Nepal to pay their membership dues, etc. We believe, it will also allow us to accept generous support from community outside Nepal to support our initiatives and activities. If you have seen us creating positive impact in our society and would like to be a part of it through your generous support, please contact us. Together we can bring big difference in our society.

Our team has grown in time and we have started hiring paid position from 2020. Thank you very much for staying with us and supporting us by all means! Ms. Janaki Chhantyal has been appointed as our program officer and the first paid position within our community! She has more than a decade long experience of science teaching in school/s in Pokhara and has completed Masters in Science with majors: Astrophysics and Plasma Physics. Lets welcome her in our community!

To know more about our team, please visit www.nepalastronomicalsociety.org/about-us/

We would like to thank all our well-wishers, supporters, partners, volunteers, interns, members and office staffs to make our dream possible!

We look forward to welcoming you in our efforts to create astronomy and space science accessible to all in Nepal!

3rd NASO Women in Science Award 2019 calls for Applications!

We are pleased to announce a call for application for the '3rd NASO Women in Science Award 2019'. The award will be distributed in two categories: student and professional respectively. The winners will receive cash prizes, certificates and trophies during a function in Kathmandu later this year. 

Interested students or professional can submit their application until February 27, 2019! Click Here to submit your application. 

If you are a student or professional working on science and woman, we strongly encourage you to apply for this award.

The basic idea behind the creation of this award is to identify and acknowledge the contribution that women are doing in the field of science and technology in Nepal. We started Women in Astronomy Nepal (WIAN) in 2015 within NASO in order to create a unique platform for all the women working in science. We believe this award will add more enthusiasm and encouragement among the women who are working in science.

The awards were given to Dibya Ghimire (student) & Praynita Karki (professional) and Shreeti Shrestha (student) & Promosha Mishra (professional) in 2017 and 2018 respectively.

Feel free to share this opportunity among the women around you!

IAU appointed a new National Outreach Coordinator (NOC) for Nepal for next three years!

International Astronomical Union (IAU) general secretary Prof. Maria Teresa Lago has appointed Mr. Suresh Bhattarai, Chairman at Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO), as a National Outreach Coordinator for Nepal (NOC-Nepal). The term of the NOC will be for a maximum of 3 years and end at the next IAU General Assembly (GA) unless special notification made by the National Committee of Astronomy (NCA). Since Nepal has no NAC currently, he received his appointment from the IAU Secretariat. 

Photo: Newly appointed IAU National  Outreach Coordinator for Nepal (IAU NOC-Nepal). Credit: Manisha Dwa/NASO 

NOC is the principal national representative appointed under the IAU structure. The primary aims of NOCs are to implement the proposed IAU outreach initiatives at the national level, disseminate information and bridge the IAU with local communities.

The International Astronomical Union (IAU) is an international astronomical organization that brings together more than 12000 professional astronomers from around the world. Its mission is to promote and safeguard all aspects of the science of astronomy through international cooperation. The IAU also works to promote astronomical education, research, and public outreach activities. To learn more about IAU, please visit https://iau.org. 

These activities culminated with the organization of the UNESCO International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009), which reached out to over 800 million people from 148 countries. The Office for Astronomy Outreach (OAO) was set up in 2012 to implement the Beyond IYA2009 plan, to build networks to support and disseminate information to the amateur astronomy and public outreach communities, and to ultimately make it easier for the public to access information about our universe. The IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach (OAO) is based in Mitaka, Tokyo, Japan. It is a joint venture between the IAU and the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ). To learn more about IAU OAO, please visit https://iau.org/public/.

IAU is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year with many events around the globe and he will be coordinating IAU100 activities in Nepal. To learn more about IAU100, please visit www.iau-100.org.

Photo: IAU100 Banner for the celebration in Nepal. Astronomy enthusiasts are encouraged to use this banner at all their astronomy-related events in 2019 and use hashtag #IAU100Nepal and #IAU100. Credit: IAU

Mr. Bhattarai will be the working with the outgoing IAU NOC for Nepal Mr. Janayanta Acharya, Associate Prof. at Department of Astronomy, Valmiki Vidhyapeeth (Nepal Sanskrit University), Kathmandu as well amateur and professional communities in Nepal. 

Application for the 6th National Astronomy Olympiad 2019 is Open!

We are pleased to open the application for the 6th National Astronomy Olympiad 2019! High school students of age between 14-20 years (as of June 30, 2019) are eligible to apply for the program. The first stage of the program will be held on Saturday, January 26, 2019, from 12:00 Hrs- 14:00 Hrs in all seven provinces of Nepal. Application deadline is Friday, January 18, 2019. 

Application Form is now available for download. Interested students need to download the application form and submit it to one of our representative/ application centers near them. In order to complete your application, you must include:

• Duly filled Application Form (the motivation section carries 5 marks! So write carefully!)
• Copy of BLE (for students in class 9-10 or equivalent) or SEE (for class 11-12 or equivalent)
• Copy of character certificate
• Application fee (you need to deposit NRs 1, 000- in NASO account visiting one of the Mega Bank nearby you)

With the above documents, you can submit your application file and collect your NAO2019 one T-shirt for free! For the latest updates, visit www.nepalastronomicalsociety.org/olympiad.

National Astronomy Olympiad is generally held at three stages (First stage: entrance, second stage: Pre-closed camp and third stage: Closed camp) between January-June every year since 2014 in Nepal. Since 2014, Nepal is participating at the International Olympiads in Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA). Nepal started participating at the International Astronomy Olympiad (IAO) since 2018 and will work to cover all three international astronomy olympiads in 2019!

2nd NASO National Space Art Competition 2018 Result is now Available!

We are pleased to announce the result of the 2nd NASO National Space Art Competition 2018 today! Shruti Gurung, a student at Adhyayan School, Tokha, Kathmandu won the first prize and will receive telescope, certificate, and medals during a program in Kathmandu!

First Prize: Human Beyond Humanity,  2nd NASO National Space Art Competition 2018

The competition was open during September 17 - October 1, 2018, where we received a total of 53 arts from different parts of Nepal which were carefully evaluated by our team. During the world space week, 20 shortlisted photos were placed for the public choice award and Shruti Gurung bagged that award as well!

Space Arts by Arya Joshi from Budhanilkanta School, Kathmandu; Sulav Poudel from Gandaki Boarding School, Lamachaur, Pokhara, Kaski and Unique Pokharel from Koshi Vidhya Mandir, Biratnagar, Morang bagged second, third and consolation prize respectively. They will receive certificates and medals during a program to be organized in Kathmandu soon.

Congratulations to all the winners! 

Reman Bala Bags the 6th National Astronomy Olympiad 2019: Logo Competition!

We are pleasured to announced the Er. Reman Bala as the winner of the 6th National Astronomy Olympiad 2019 Logo Competition. We received a total of 83 logos among which 13 logos were shortlisted for further evaluation. The winning logo will be the official logo of the 6th National Astronomy Olympiad 2019 that will be held next year in Nepal! Er. Bala will receive a certificate and cash prize of NRs. 5,000/- during an event in Kathmandu next year.

After hearing the news, Er. Reman Bala said, 

"Expressing emotions is hard. Explaining it is even harder. Am I forgetting the words I need or emotions have always been like this? 

Perhaps this must be a dream or maybe it's just the sudden surprise of life which made me feel so. Being the winner of the 6th National Astronomy Olympiad Logo Competition 2019 took me back to those days where I used to practice designing for fun. Everything you learn finds its place someday and this competition proved it. 

From the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank my dad and my mom who sent me to learn to design since class 4. Without them, this would not be possible.

Last but not least, I would like to thank Nepal Astronomical Society for this opportunity."

Er. Bala graduated with B.E. Engineering from ACME Engineering College, Sitapaila, Kathmandu last year and found Kodeonix Krypt Private Limited at Baluwatar, Kathmandu. He mentioned in his application that he got the info about the competition via the Routine of Nepal Banda, a popular social media page (Facebook/Instagram) in Nepal. 

To learn more about the astronomy olympiad program, please visit www.nepalastronomicalsociety.org/olympiad. 

Registration Opens for the Orientation Program in Province Three!

With the successful orientation in province 1, we are pleased to announce the second series to be held in province 3! Students who are in high school level and would like to learn more about our asteroid search and astronomy olympiad program can join us at Southwestern State College, Basundhara, Kathmandu on Saturday, December 8, 2018! Registration is free and remains open till until before midnight, Friday, December 7, 2018!

***Register NOW***

The program will provide participants with first-hand information on our asteroid search program and national astronomy program in person. Participants will also get the latest updates about these programs at the orientation.

About Asteroid Search:

All-Nepal Asteroid Search Campaign (ANASC) is a hands-on astronomy program for the high school students with a unique opportunity to make original discoveries of asteroids. It provides high-quality data to the students to get the taste of astronomical research and discoveries. Prior to each search campaign, two-day workshop is organized in order to familiarize students in a campaign for their successful discoveries!

The program accepts thirty-teams each campaign and runs for several times around a year. Students can form a team of a maximum of five members to participate in this campaign. For more information, www.nepalastronomicalsociety.org/asteroidsearch

About the Astronomy Olympiad Program:

National Astronomy Olympiad is an early stage talent hunt program in Nepal. High school tudents of age 14-20 are eligible for the competition. It's an annual program hence accepts application once in a year. Application for the 6th National Astronomy Olympiad 2019 will open in December 2018! For more information, www.nepalastronomicalsociety.org/olympiad

To stay updated with our activities, don't forget to like and subscribe us at

• www.facebook.com/NASONepal
• www.instagram.com/NASONepal
• www.twitter.com/NASONepal
• www.youtube.com/NASONepal