Call for Applications: All-Nepal Asteroid Search Campaign 2026–2027: Join the Hunt, Discover the Unknown

The Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO), in collaboration with the International Astronomical Search Collaboration (IASC), is proud to open applications for the All-Nepal Asteroid Search Campaign 2026–2027 — a nationwide citizen science initiative inviting schools, colleges, astronomy clubs, and institutions across Nepal to take part in real, hands-on Near-Earth Asteroid research.

Since 2016, NASO and IASC have worked together to give Nepali students and astronomy enthusiasts the opportunity to search for and track Near-Earth Asteroids using real telescope data. This year, we're continuing that legacy — and we want your institution to be part of it.

Real Data. Real Discoveries. Real Impact.

This isn't a simulation. Participants work with authentic observational data to search for undiscovered asteroids, contributing directly to global planetary defense efforts, scientific research, and technological learning.

Campaign Details

• Campaign Period: August 2026 – July 2027
• Application Deadline: Call for applications is open until August 31, 2026
• Who Can Participate: Students, educators, amateur astronomers, astronomy clubs, and institutions in Nepal
• Commitment: A one-year collaboration comprising 9 search campaigns
• Minimum Participation: At least 45 people from the participating school or college, involved consistently through July 2027

What You Get

• Access to telescopes and software used for real asteroid searches
• Training and mentorship from experienced astronomers throughout the campaign
• The opportunity to discover asteroids and contribute to real scientific data
• E-certificates and recognition for participating students and institutions

Why Join?

• Contribute to global asteroid discovery efforts
• Gain hands-on experience in observational astronomy
• Earn recognition for your discoveries
• Become part of Nepal's growing astronomy community

How to Apply

We're inviting interested schools, colleges, astronomy clubs, and institutions to enroll for the 2026–2027 campaign. Applications close on August 31, 2026, so interested institutions are encouraged to reach out soon. Here's how the process works:

1. Request the letter template. Contact our team to receive the official request letter template.
2. Submit your institutional request. Prepare and send us a formal request letter on your institution's official letterhead, confirming your intent to participate.
3. Commit to the campaign. Once enrolled, your institution commits to a full year of collaboration — 9 campaigns in total — with a minimum of 45 participants engaged from your school or college through July 2027.
4. Start discovering. Our team will provide training, telescope/software access, and ongoing mentorship throughout the campaign.

Get in Touch

To enroll your school, college, astronomy club, or institution, contact us:

📞 +977 984-3708248

🌐 www.naso.org.np

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, and YouTube: @nasonepal

#NASONepal

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Be part of continued efforts since 2016 to discover and track Near-Earth Asteroids using real telescopes and real data. Your discoveries can contribute to science, technology, and planetary defense - join us for 2026–2027.

All-Nepal Asteroid Search Training, June 4-5, 2020!

In order to help more students and teachers in Nepal understand the CCD Astrometry, Digital Sky Surveys and different astronomical software, types of asteroids, their discovery process, we are organizing a training each month this year. The June session will be held during June 4-5, 2020 where participants will get an opportunity to interact, build network with form their teams for upcoming asteroid search campaigns.

Click here to Register NOW ! 

Registration deadline: 5:00 PM, Wednesday, June 3, 2020

All-Nepal Asteroid Search Campaign will be held online during June 4-5, 2020 from 1:00 PM -4:00 PM. The details of the meeting will be provided to all registered participants via meial.

How to register? 

1. Fill in this form
2. Pay the registration: NRs 1,000 (One Thousand Nepali Rupees only)
3. Send us the proof of payment to confirm your seat

What are the prerequisite for participation?

In order to make your learn the skills and build good understanding of astronomical observation, we request you to have the following:

• Laptop/Desktop with Windows Operating System
• Internet connection
• Commitment in learning

How long will be the training?

• The online training session will be total of 6 hours which includes 3 hours introduction and 3 hours hands-on session in two consecutive days. 

Will I receive certificate of participation?

• Yes, a digital certificate will be provided to all successful participants via email.

Registration deadline: 5:00 PM, Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Since we introduced training program to support interested students and teachers to learn more, we have total of seven provisional discoveries until April 2020! The next can be you to discover more! Join the training and build your search skills!

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

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

All-Nepal Asteroid Search Campaign Concludes in Province One!

All-Nepal Asteroid Search Campaign, September 3-30, 2018 was primarily focused at the province one concluded with sixty-four preliminary discoveries! The discoveries were made by the seventeen teams of the students from six different schools. During the campaign total of ninety preliminary discoveries were made by participants where thirty-three discoveries were done by our members/volunteers at different parts of Nepal!

Photo 1: Students and teacher from the Delhi Public School, Dharan receiving certificates from Mr. Gobinda Thapa, Itahari International College, Morang. 

Photo 2: Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) and Itahari International College (ICC) officials during the ceremony. 

Ms. Sayari Neupane, one of the participants at the campaign and class XI student at Eureka Secondary School, Dharan shares, "It was really a great experience of mine in participating in all asteroid research campaign. Our team learned many new things. It is really a good platform for those who are interested in astronomy. This program taught me new and unknown things about astronomy. I was unaware that many types of research in astronomy are done through a computer or a laptop. But by participating in this program, I learned the use of technology in astronomy. I recommend this program to everyone who is interested in learning new things".

For more information/updates about our asteroid search campaign, please visit www.nepalastronomicalsociety.org/asteroidsearch

During the program, Mr. Bijaya Chandra Luitel, absolute winner at the 3rd National Astronomy Olympiad 2016 (NAO2016) and the 4th National Astronomy Olympiad 2017 (NAO2017). He shared his experience participating at the national and international astronomy olympiads. He also provided information on how interested students can prepare for the upcoming 6th National Astronomy Olympiad 2019!

Photo 3: Mr. Bijaya Chandra Luitel, the absolute winner at NAO2016 and NAO2017 and Honorable Mention (HM) holders at IOAA2016 and IOAA2017, sharing his experience among the participants.

Mr. Luitel received two Honorable Mention (HM) awards representing Nepal at the international level. He participated at the 10th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA2016), Bhubaneshwar, India and the 11th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA2017), Phuket, Thailand respectively. 

For more information/updates on our national astronomy olympiad program, please visit www.nepalastronomicalsociety.org/olympiad

Happy hunting and happy exploring! 

Total of Ninety Seven Asteroids Discovered during September Campaign in Nepal!

All-Nepal Asteroid Search Campaign, September 3-30, 2018 which was focused on province 1 with 17 different schools from the province resulted with ninety-seven asteroids discovered! The discoveries are of preliminary status at the moment. There will be follow-ups for the discovered objects and if confirmed will receive provisional status. We look forward to some good news in the coming days!

Total of 30 teams worked on the search. Among them, seventeen schools were from province 1 and two from province 3. Rest of the team were from NASO volunteers and members! Total of 104 people worked on this search during the campaign. 

Photo 1: Group photo of the participants during a two-day orientation program held on September 4-5, 2018 at Itahari International College (IIC), Morang.

Photo 2: Students learning to use astrometric and discussing possible problems that may encounter during the campaign.

During 2018-2019, we decided to run the campaigns with a focus to a particular province at a time and the September campaign was one of them! With the success of the campaign, we are currently working with science teachers in other provinces! If you are a science teacher and would like to bring this program to your school or province, please do not hesitate to contact our office. Looking for the latest updates about our next campaign? Feel free to visit www.nepalastronomicalsociety.org/asteroidsearch.

We look forward to coming to our city! Happy hunting!