Deadline: April 14, 2019.

The International Astronomy and Astrophysics Competition is an international science competition that enables students from all countries to prove their skills and to unleash their creativity in the fields of astronomy and astrophysics. IAAC gives you the unique opportunity to apply your skills to challenging problems. Participants can receive certificates, awards, cash prizes, and global recognition.

 

ELIGIBILITY

1. In order to participate in the International Astronomy and Astrophysics Competition, you have to be a high-school or university student.

2. Students from all grades and all countries are invited to participate! There are two age categories:

• Junior: under 18 years on 14. April 2019 (submission deadline)
• Youth: over 18 years on 14. April 2019 (submission deadline)

Depending on your age category you will have to score more points to qualify for the next round. To solve the problems you should be interested in astronomy, smart, and creative. You should also have a working internet connection to submit your solution online via the submission form: Qualification Round 2019

 

PRIZES

1. All participants receive participation certificates. The best students receive the 1. prize, 2. prize, and 3. prize with a cash award of 200 USD, 150 USD, and 100 USD.

2. Furthermore, the most outstanding participants from each global region (Africa, America, Europe, Greater Middle East, South Asia, South East Asia) receive the 1., 2. and 3.

3. Regional award to honor their excellence.

4. There are also special school awards and awards for ambassadors.

 

PROCESS

1. Qualification Round

The qualification round is the first stage and consists of five astronomy problems that have been published online. You can download the problem sheet below. The problems vary in topic and difficulty: Some of the problems test your astronomy knowledge, others require calculations. The qualification round will not only sharpen your mind but you may also learn more about astronomy and astrophysics!

All participants of the qualification round will receive participation certificates. You have to score at least 15 points (junior, under 18 years) or 20 points (youth, over 18 years) to qualify for the pre-final round. Digitally typed solutions receive a special honorary note on the certificates.

2. Pre-Final Round

Participants that have solved the qualification round successfully are qualified to participate in the pre-final round. The problems will be more challenging, but even more interesting! The pre-final round consists of 10 different problems that vary in difficulty, points, and topic: 4x basic problems (four points), 4x advanced problems (six points), 2x research problems (ten points). It is possible to reach up to 60 points in total. Participants have to reach at least 30 points (junior) or 45 points (youth) to qualify for the final round.

All participants that are qualified and registered for the pre-final round will receive the problems on Monday 6. May 2019. From that day on you have one week until Sunday 12. May 2019 to solve as many problems as possible! The registration costs for the pre-final round are 8 USD to make this year’s competition possible.

 

3. Final Round

Participants that have solved the pre-final round successfully are qualified to participate in the final round: The final round consists of a single 60-minutes exam with 40 multiple-choice questions. The questions require knowledge about astronomy and astrophysics as well as calculation skills and creativity.

Every finalist has to appoint a supervisor (for example a school teacher) that will supervise the final exam. The awards and prizes are given to the finalists with the most points in the final round.

 

OFFICIAL LINK

 

International Astronomy and Astrophysics Competition