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An exemplary developing astronomy movement in Nepal
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Metadata
Title
An exemplary developing astronomy movement in Nepal
Abstract
Astronomy and space science education had been given least importance by Nepalese government in the past. The modern astronomy movement is believed to have started when an official observation programme of Haley’s comet was organized by Royal Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (RONAST) in 1986. Following the huge pressure from the scientific community, the Nepal government (Kingdom of Nepal at that time) established B.P. Koirala Memorial Planetarium, Observatory and Science Museum Development Board in 1992. Initiatives of the project started with observatory set up and the development of astrophysics syllabus for university students. Astrophysics is included as an elective paper in the Physics masters course. The lead astrophysicist of Nepal Dr. Binil Aryal is running a research group in Tribhuvan University since 2005 which has a significant number of international publications. The developing government initiatives and achievements will be discussed. In 2007, a group of astronomy enthusiastic students along with amateurs working independently in past established Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO), which surprisingly increased
the amateur activities and inspired other amateur groups to revive. During IYA 2009, more than 80 outreach and observation events were organized solely by NASO. NASO was able to collaborate with many international programmes and projects like GHOU/GTTP, EurAstro, AWB, UNAWE, SGAC, Star Peace, TWAN etc during and beyond IYA2009. Currently Nepal is recognized as the most eventful country of outreach and astronomy education among the amateur community. The success story of the astronomy movement and the local difficulties while
organizing the events will be explained.
Date
01/01/2015
Type of Publication
Author(s)
Neupane, Sudeep
Editor(s)
Montmerle, T.
Content
Construct
Methodology
Research Setting
Target Group
Institution(s)
Astronomical Society (NASO) | Astrophysics and Cosmology Research Group, TU
Book Title
Highlights of Astronomy, Volume 16. XXVIIIth IAU General Assembly, August 2012
Peer-Reviewed Status
Publisher
International Astronomical Union
Conference Proceeding Type
Resource Type
Nation(s) of Study
Nepal
Language
English