Nepal Names 16 Students to Represent the Nation at Three International Astronomy Olympiads in 2026

- Kathmandu, Nepal

The Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) has announced the sixteen students who will carry Nepal's flag at three international astronomy competitions later this year, following the successful conclusion of the 13th National Astronomy Olympiad 2026 (NAO2026). The selected students, drawn from the Senior and Junior merit lists of the national closed camp, will represent Nepal at the 19th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA 2026) in Hanoi, Vietnam; the 5th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics for Juniors (IOAA-jr 2026) in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand; and the 5th Open World Astronomy Olympiad (OWAO) in Sirius, Russia.

The Road from NAO2026

The 13th National Astronomy Olympiad 2026 reached its climax with a national-level closed camp held from June 1–7, 2026, bringing together the country's most promising young astronomers for an intensive week of instruction and examination. NASO released the final round results for both the Senior and Junior categories on June 15, 2026, publishing National Merit Lists of 40 students each.

In the Senior Category, Aryan Khadka of Kathmandu Model Secondary School, Lalitpur, topped the merit list, followed closely by Shashwot Regmi of Motherland Secondary School, Pokhara, and Krish Shrestha of SOS HGS School Gandaki, Pokhara. In the Junior Category, Shahwaz Alam of Bal Kalyan Vidhya Mandir, Biratnagar, led the field, with Sampanna Dahal of Kathmandu Pragya Kunja School and Abhibyakti Tamang of Little Angels' School, Hattiban, rounding out the top three.

All students on the merit lists - with the exception of two flagged for disciplinary review by the NAO2026 Organizing Committee - became eligible for selection to represent Nepal at this year's international olympiads, with final selection based on merit as well as interviews with students and their parents.

Orientation for the International Journey

On July 31, 2026, NASO's academic committee members held an online orientation session for the students shortlisted for the IOAA, IOAA-jr, and OWAO teams. During the session, committee members shared their own passion for astronomy, personal achievements, and guidance to help prepare the participants for the challenges ahead - both academic and personal - of representing Nepal on the international stage. The orientation marked the formal beginning of the journey for the sixteen students who now make up Team Nepal across the three competitions.

Team Nepal: 19th IOAA 2026 - Hanoi, Vietnam (September 25 - October 5, 2026)

Leading the senior delegation to Vietnam are Suresh Bhattarai and Manisha Dwa as Team Leaders. The five student representatives are:

• Aryan Khadka
• Shashwot Regmi
• Krish Shrestha
• Ankita Acharya
• Shubham Shrestha

Team Nepal: 5th IOAA-jr 2026 - Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand (November 1 - 8, 2026)

The junior delegation to Thailand will be led by Team Leaders Manisha Dwa and Oshan Sharma Kattel, accompanying five student representatives:

• Shahwaz Alam
• Evan Dubey
• Abhi Udaya Dhungana
• Sahaj KC
• Akhilesh Pokharel

Team Nepal: 5th OWAO 2026 - Sirius, Russia (November 6 - 14, 2026)

Team Leader Suresh Bhattarai will guide the six-student contingent travelling to Russia:

• Suyash Koirala
• Rivash Rai
• Om Raj Puri
• Sneha Koirala
• Dipchan Karki
• Garima Basnet

Pre-Departure Training Underway

Building on the momentum of the July orientation, NASO launched a structured pre-departure training programme on August 6, 2026, for all three teams. The training will continue in phases through each team's respective departure date, covering advanced problem-solving in theoretical and observational astronomy, data analysis, telescope handling, and the practical skills the students will need to compete at the international level. The programme is designed to run right up until each team departs to represent Nepal, ensuring the students arrive at Hanoi, Ubon Ratchathani, and Sirius fully prepared to compete against the world's brightest young astronomers.

NASO Chairperson Suresh Bhattarai congratulated all the students on the national merit lists and extended special wishes to the sixteen selected for international duty, noting that their preparation this year reflects the growing strength and depth of astronomy education across Nepal.

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For further details, contact the NASO Office at +977-9843708248, or visit olympiad page in our website www.nepalastronomicalsociety.org/olympiad

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.

Thirty Juniors will participate in the second round of NAO2021!

After the careful evaluation of all the documents including the online test that we held on June 26, 2021 across the country, we have selected 30 students to join us for the second round. The second round is also known as pre-closed camp where students get an opportunity to explore their writing, exploring and instrumentation skills.

Congratulations to all the students selected for the second round. Selected students will receive several assignments this month as a part of pre-closed camp which they need to submit to our office virtually or physically depending upon the type of the assignments. As we are pacing COVID-19 pandemic, the nature of the assignments may vary in order to help students to avoid contacts with people outside their home hence infection! Stay home, stay safe! 

About NAO:

National Astronomy Olympiad (NAO) is an early stage talent hunt program for the school students in Nepal. It’s an annual program for junior (class 8-10) and senior (class 11-12) students in Nepal providing an opportunity to learn communication, collaboration, critical thinking and critical writing to for their personal growth to support their academic career in STEAM field in future. The program has three stages namely first round (entrance exam), second round (pre-closed camp) and third round (closed camp) respectively which are usually held between January -July of each year. This year due to COVID-19, we have faced some delays in our program.

To learn more about the program, please www.naso.edu.np

What after NAO?

NAO is a gateway for the deserving students to get eligible for the participation at the following international Olympiads:

• International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA): for senior students only
• International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics junior (IOAAjr): proposed event for juniors students only
• International Astronomy Olympiad (IAO): for both senior and junior students
• Asian-Pacific Astronomy Olympiad (APAO): for both senior and junior students

For more information about Nepal's preparations for these international Olympiads, please call NASO Office at 9843708248 or visit our office located at Battishputali, Kathmandu!