International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA)
The IOAA is an international event for teams of secondary students from many nations. It started in 2007. Now over 60 countries participate.
As in the Olympic Games, or the decathlon, the students compete in a number of common challenges. These are:
- 5 hr theory exam,
- 4 hr data analysis task,
- an observing exercise (using telescopes, star maps and a planetarium) and
- a group task involving measurement, analysis and presentation.
The 2025 event was in India from 11th to 21st August. The 2026 is in Vietnam starting on 5th to 15th October. This event is for any secondary student, there is a separate Junior event for students 16 years old or younger and in Year 10 or an earlier Year. In 2026, the Junior event will be held in Thailand from 1st to 9th November.
Australia had a team in India and planning is under way to select a team for Vietnam.
Selecting a national team:
Students sit for a qualifying exam on 24th February. The format is paper based and run in the school with a teacher facilitating. A large group are then selected to participate in a training program during the mid-year term break. A team of five is then chosen to be the national team.
IOAA Syllabus:
The students are expected to be familiar with a range of topics including: Basic Astrophysics, Mathematical Methods and Tools, Coordinates and Times, Solar System, Stars, Stellar Systems, Cosmology, Instrumentation and Space Technologies. Click here for details of each of these.
Cost:
The fee to sit the qualifying exam is $22 per student to cover the writing, distribution and assessment of the papers.
Each team pays a participation fee of 800 euros and pays for its own travel. Meals and accommodation are provided.
Participation:
Lachlan McGiness (ASI Physics director and OzGrav outreach officer) and Dr Penelope Hale (John Monash Science School) led a team of 5 students to India in 2025. They were involved in marking and moderating exams and participating in open discussions with other leaders about challenges in Astronomy education.
If any teachers or astronomers are interested in developing this program or with interested students please complete this form to be added to the mailing list.
Registration:
For more information, check here . To register click this Trybooking link. Teachers must register the number of students enrolled.
Late registrations may incur an additional cost for express postage (contact Lachlan McGinness at lachlan.mcginness@anu.edu.au). If you have more than 50 students involved, please contact Lachlan to register and pay via an invoice.
After the competition, a list of student details will be required for certificates and awards.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Dr Hale, penelope.hale@jmss.vic.edu.au, or Lachlan.
For information about other Olympiads, eg, Physics, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science and Biology, click here.