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.