The Indian team was felicitated at the Nehru Science Centre on Saturday for winning one gold, one silver and one bronze medal at the 16th International Astronomy Olympiad held in Kazakhstan .
The Indian team was felicitated at the Nehru Science Centre on Saturday for winning one gold, one silver and one bronze medal at the 16th International Astronomy Olympiad held in Kazakhstan from September 22 to September 30. The team also won the best results award.
The National Council of Science Museums had sent a team of three students, two experts and an observer to participate in the International Astronomy Olympiad which was held at Almaty. After intensive training during a training camp, three students, Sandesh Kalantre from Amravati, Pavan Hebbar from Karnataka and Sai Varun Reddy from Andhra Pradesh were selected to represent India. Team leader Pradip K Dasgupta, lecturer (Physics) from Siddharth College and jury member Vinayak Katdare, lecturer (Physics) from Ruparel College were also selected.
Umesh Kumar, curator, Nehru Science Centre, who went as an observer for the event, said: “It is a matter of pride to announce that our team excelled at the 16th International Astronomy Olympiad by winning three medals. Sandesh Kalantre won the gold while Pavan Hebbar and Sai Varun Reddy won silver and bronze respectively. Kalantre also won the best result award, which means he scored the highest marks in the contest. The contest had three exams on Theory, Observation and Practical.”
The intensive selection process included a nationwide qualifying test, an aptitude test in Astronomy for the selected 300 students and finally a three week orientation cum selection camp at Nehru Science Centre, in collaboration with Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education.
“Students were trained in sky observation, telescope handling and data analysis on given pictures. A pre-departure camp was also held at Nehru Science Centre, Mumbai from September 15 to 21,”Kumar added.
The Olympiad had 21 competing teams from 20 countries including China, Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, Armenia, Russia, Serbia, Crimea, Italy, Kazakhstan, and so on.
A total of 93 students participated— 48 in Junior Group and 45 in Senior Group. India participated only in the Junior Group. In all, 13 gold, 17 silver and 20 bronze medals were awarded. The team from Korea led the medals tally while the Indian team was placed second.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}