On August 17, the 17th International Olympiad in Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA), a global event that will bring together students from 54 countries in the cities of Vassouras and Barra do Pirai, Rio de Janeiro, will begin. The annual competition aims to promote knowledge and passion for astronomy and astrophysics among high school students.
Preparation for the 2024 International Olympiad in Astronomy and Astrophysics has been a long and detailed process, according to Dr. Josina Nascimento, astronomer at the National Observatory (ON), the organization responsible for organizing the event. In addition to the logistics for receiving international delegations,explains MEC RadioThere is the topic of preparing tests, practical and observational activities.
The theme of IOAA 2024, chosen by ON, will be “sustainability”will start with the use of recyclable materials and the avoidance of single-use materials. The idea is to stimulate reflection among participants and society in general about the global interest in eco-development and the role of science in the search for sustainable solutions.
How does IOAA work?
Election of ten Brazilian representatives at the IOAA It starts with the OBA (Brazilian Astronomy Olympiad) test, explains Brazilian Agency ON researcher Eugênio Reis is one of the coordinators of the International Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad. The selection process involves high school students who have received a grade above 7 and students who have received a grade of 9 or above in the 9th grade of primary school.
There are three initial online tests administered to students at school or at home for free during the last three months of the year. Then the difficulty gradually increases. After the online exams The top 150 to 200 people will take the face-to-face examIt is usually practiced at the Hotel Fazenda Ribeirão in Barra do Piraí.
This phase includes, in addition to theoretical and planetarium tests, the use of the telescope and the examination of the sky map. “We called in 150 to 200 people to do these tests 40 students were selected” says Reis. However, there are certain quotas for girls, public school students and primary school 9th grade students to participate in the teams.
Internal training and competitions for IOAA
Reis explains that these 40 selected students will also receive further training at Hotel Fazenda Ribeirão: competing with each other in two stages. Only after the second phase of this training will Brazil be selected to have ten representatives and five more reserves at the International Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad, as well as at the OLAA (Latin American Astronomy and Astronautics Olympiad).
A third differentiated training is also carried out, as IOAA covers astronomy and astrophysics, while OLAA covers astronomy and astronautics. “There are plastic bottle rocket tests in Latin America. In the first two training sessions, everyone builds and launches rockets,” says the ON astronomer.
Supporters of the International Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad 2024
In July, ON received reinforcement from the National Astrophysical Laboratory (LNA), which will provide the following information to IOAA participants. Remote observations via the Pico dos Dias Observatory in Brazópolis (MG)On the night of August 25, the last night before the closing ceremony of the Olympics, students will perform together with professional astronomers.
The Museum of Astronomy and Related Sciences (MAST) in Rio de Janeiro will provide events for the Vassouras community and other cities in the Vale do Café, as IOAA events are closed. Univassouras will provide logistical support for the main activities and free courses, as well as the Congress Center.
The 2024 International Olympiad in Astronomy and Astrophysics also has other partner companies supporting this educational and scientific initiative: Surfshark, which offers VPN services, is a Virtual Private Network Encrypting your internet connection and functionality prevents third parties, including hackers and malicious actors, from intercepting your data or monitoring your online activities. Recruitment is done directly through the cybersecurity company’s website.
Source: Tec Mundo
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