National Points of Contact Nepal
	Rijendra Thapa This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it	Suresh Bhattarai This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

SGAC Nepal

Nepal is situated between India and China, two giants in the field of space science. Surprisingly, the present status of space science and technology in Nepal is very poor. With the goal of changing this, SGAC Nepal in collaboration with the Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) is initiating a nationwide campaign promoting space science and astronomy in Nepal. So, please come and join us! Let us be a skilled workforce to contribute together to the development of space sciences on a national and an international level.

Young Space Activities Overview in Nepal

SGAC Nepal has a vision of creating awareness for space in Nepal and focuses on outreach activities to connect students, the general public and decision makers. It also frequently organizes observations sessions, talk programmes, interactions, poster sessions and documentary shows in different parts of Nepal. SGAC Nepal had another successful year 2010 in promoting space science and astronomy through various educational outreach activities throughout the nation in collaboration with the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), Tribhuvan University (TU) and Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO). During 2010, SGAC-Nepal members were successful in attending useful conferences in Space Science and Astronomy held in China, Germany, India, Italy, South Africa and the United Kingdom. It was able to expand its activities in Eastern, Central and Western Development Regions of Nepal amongst school students, youth and general public.

In 2011, we are looking forward for another successful year with many more exciting and informative programmes on space science education and astronomy in Nepal.

Country-Specific Events in 2011

• Messier Marathon 2011, (March-April): The Messier Marathon is an exhaustive attempt by an astronomer to observe all 110 Messier Objects in a single night – usually occurring around Spring Equinox when all objects can be seen between dusk and dawn. This is the first time Nepal is organizing this event through the Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO).

• Global Astronomy Month, (1 - 30 April): The Global Astronomy Month (GAM 2011) is a project by Astronomers without Borders (AWB) basing on the success of the IYA2009 and Beyond IYA2009. This year the project has more new ideas, new opportunities and more participation by connecting people around the world. The organizers hope to create an even greater sense of sharing, as the slogan for GAM is – One People, One Sky. For a Nepali translation of the event visit our blog
• Yuris Night, (12 April): The world’s largest space party comes to Nepal!
• International Conference on Astronomy and Astrophysics Kathmandu, Nepal (26-28 Sept): Astrophysics and Cosmology Research Group Central Department Physics (TU) is organizing an International Conference on A&A (26-28 September) in Kathmandu, Nepal. The motive is to strengthen the research collaboration and provide an exposure to the young research students. 120 foreign participants are expected to be attending the conference (students as well as experts in the field). There will be 100 Nepalese participants. Observational, Galactic & Extragalactic Astronomy in general will be covered in the conference.
• World Space Week, (4-10 October): Celebrate the World Space Week together with us.

Chatedhunga, Tehrathum District, about Space Science and astronomy during GAM2010	Talk programme at Central Department of Physics, Tribhuvan University by Riwaj Pokhrel, member SGAC-Nepal and Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO)
Astronomy School for Kids of Parasi May, 2010.	Seminar at Hindu Vidhyapeeth by Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO)

Groups / People

Nepal Astronomical Society: http://astronomy-nepal.blogspot.com

Studies

Astrophysics and Cosmology Research group: http://astronepal.webs.com

Institutions

BP Koirala Planetarium Observatory and Science Museum Developmental Board: http://www.planeta-observatory.gov.np

Documents

National report of Nepal 2009 and 2010