IOAA History

The main goal of IOAA is to promote the growing interest in Astronomy and related subjects, especially through the general education of young people, and enhancing the development of international contacts among different countries in promoting Astronomy and Astrophysics in schools. It is expected through the event like IOAA more bright high school students will be eager to study astronomy at the university level to become the next generation astronomers.

IOAA 2007 – Chiang Mai, Thailand The first IOAA was held from 30th November to 9th December 2007, to commemorate the 80th birth anniversary of the King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand and the 84th birth anniversary of the Princess Galyani Vadhana of Thailand. Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Greece, India, Indonesia, Iran, South Korea, Laos, Lithuania, Myanmar, Poland, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Ukraine participated in the first IOAA. The International Board, composed by the leaders of every attending country, formally adopted statutes of IOAA. The international board also elected, for a five-year term, a President (Dr. Boonrucksar Soonthornthum, Thailand) and a General Secretary (Dr. Chatief Kunjaya, Indonesia). IOAA 2007 opening Ceremony

IOAA 2008 – Bandung, Indonesia The second IOAA was from 19th to 28th August 2008, with teams from 22 countries including a team from Cambodia and an observer from Malaysia. Team Guides at IOAA 2008

IOAA 2009 – Tehran, Iran Team Leaders at IOAA 2009 closing ceremony The third IOAA was held from 17th to 27th October 2009. The observational exam was held in the desert, in the Caravanserai of Deh Namak. 20 countries participated including first time participants Kazakhstan and Serbia.

IOAA 2010 – Beijing, China The fourth IOAA was held from 12th to 21st September 2010. One-hundred fourteen competitors from 23 countries participated in the event. It was a first time participation for Czech Republic, Philippines and Russia. IOAA 2010 all participants at the opening ceremony

IOAA 2011 – Krakow – Katowice – Chorzow, Poland The fifth IOAA was held from 25th August to 4th September 2011. This was the first IOAA to be held in Europe. The participants came from 26 countries, including the first time participation by Bulgaria, Colombia, Croatia, Hungary and Portugal. For a term from 2012 to 2016, The International Board elected a new President (Dr. Chatief Kunjaya, Indonesia) and a General Secretary (Dr. Gregorz Stachowski, Poland). They also indicated two Regional Coordinators (Dr. Thais Mothe Diniz, Brazil, for Americas and Dr. Aniket Sule, India, for Asia and Pacific). Participants attempting data analysis round during IOAA 2011

IOAA 2012 – Rio de Janeiro and Vassouras, Brazil The sixth IOAA was held from 4th to 13th August 2012. This was the first IOAA to be held in the western hemisphere. The participants came from 28 countries including reintroduction of Singapore and a solitary student representing United Arab Emirates. Closing ceremony of IOAA 2012

IOAA 2013 – Volos, Greece The seventh IOAA was held from 27th July to 4th August 2013. Total 39 teams from 35 countries participated in the event. These included first time teams from Armenia, Canada, Cyprus , F.Y.R. of Macedonia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Slovenia and U.S.A. Closing ceremony of IOAA 2013

IOAA 2014 – Suceava and Gura Humorului, Romania The eighth IOAA was held from 1st to 11th August 2014. Total 42 teams from 37 countries participated in the event. These included first time teams from Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Nepal and Pakistan. Closing ceremony of IOAA 2014

IOAA 2015 – Magelang, Indonesia Prof. M. N. Vahia (2016 host) accepts IOAA flag from Prof. Chatief Kunjaya (President of IOAA and 2015 host). The 9th IOAA was held from 26th July to 4th August 2015. Total 46 teams from 41 countries participated in the event. These included first time teams from Estonia, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan and United Kingdom. In addition, observers from Sweden and Qatar attended the IOAA.

IOAA 2016 – Bhubneswar, India

Participants of IOAA 2016

The 10th IOAA was held from 09th December to 19th December 2016. Total 48 teams from 41 countries participated in the event.

IOAA 2017 – Phuket, Thialand

The 11th IOAA was held from 12th to 21st November 2017. Total 44 countries participated in the event.

IOAA 2018 -- Beijing, China

Team Leaders of IOAA 2018 at Forbidden City

The 12th IOAA was held from 2nd to 12th November 2018. Total 37 countries participated in the event.