First astronomy and astrophysics Olympiad competition on July 7

The First International Olympiad on astronomy and astrophysics' will be held in Thailand from November 30 to December 9. The Institute of Physics (Sri Lanka) jointly with the Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies will to hold a national competition related to this event.

This first Sri Lanka Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad competition will be held on July 7, from 11.30 a.m. - 12.30 p.m. after the Physics Olympiad competition on the same day. The knowledge of the applicants will be tested with a one-hour theory paper on astronomy and astrophysics. Examinations will be conducted in Sinhala, Tamil and English at the Departments of Physics in the Universities of Colombo, Peradeniya, Kelaniya Ruhuna, Batticaloa and Jaffna.

Those who wish to participate in the competition must inform the Institute of Physics on or before July 3. Registration forms and details can be obtained through the website www.ip.sl.org or by sending a stamped self-addressed envelope on or before June 27, to the Dr. K. P. S. Chandana Jayaratne, National Coordinator of the Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad, Department of Physics, University of Colombo, Colombo 3.

Those who do well in the national Olympiad competition will be given medals and certificates.

A maximum of five students could be selected to participate in the first IOAA.

The selected students will be trained after their local A/L Examination. the contestants should be under twenty years on December 31, 2007 to participate in the International Olympiad.