International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) 2019

By:
Yap Yong Sheng (IOAA Trainer, former participant and also Kuen Cheng High School alumnus)

The International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) is an international competition for high school students of age 20 and below, aiming at promoting the growing interest in astronomy. IOAA established in 2007, Chiang Mai, Thailand, starring 21 countries in the main event. Since then, IOAA has been held annually, through combining efforts from the host country’s local organizing committee and that of the International Board. Delegations from all participating nations meet together to accomplish the task, IOAA has grown tremendously over the course of the years of development.

During the recent 13^th IOAA held in Keszthely, Hungary, featuring 47 countries, Team Malaysia emerged to do the country proud and honoured to be part of the history.  The event took place in the scenic city by the lake from 2 to 10 August 2019. Throughout the week, Leaders immersed in heated discussion and carried out debate on setting questions, grading papers and moderating marks for the competition. Participating students, on the other hand, had to deal with solving intricate questions which were aimed to assess them on a wide spectrum of astronomical and astrophysical applications in theory, data analysis, real-time and simulated observations. Team Malaysia 2019 is formed through the Malaysian Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (MOAA), a two-part selection process consisting of a preliminary nationwide online test and then a 5-day selection camp held at National Planetarium, Kuala Lumpur. The best five students were then chosen for a week-long boot camp at the Langkawi National Observatory in Pulau Langkawi, Kedah, which is managed by ANGKASA Malaysia (the Malaysian National Space Agency).

Team members representing Malaysia in the 13^th IOAA won two Bronze Medals and an Honourable Award. Respectively, they are

Ashley Tan Hai Tung (Bronze Medal), Kuen Cheng High School

Lim Ting Yong, Kuen Cheng High School

Leong Qi Zhong (Honorable Award), Taylor’s College

Tan Jia Qing (Bronze Medal), Hin Hua High School

Yew Jun Hao, Chung Ling High School

These participants were accompanied by their Team Leaders Mr. Yap Yong Sheng (IOAA Trainer, former participant and also Kuen Cheng High School alumnus) and Fong Keng Yin (IOAA Trainer and existing President of Star-Finder Astronomical Society in Malaysia).