International  Astronomy  Olympiad  2020

Dear colleagues!

Considering the current international situation due to the covid-19 pandemic, after a serious consideration and communication between the XXV IAO Organizing Committee, the IAO Committee, many participating countries and the IAO Chairman, it has been decided that organization of the IAO in 2020 in traditional way is not possible neither in Matera, Italy (as planned for October 2020) nor in any other place. (And it appears mostly not due to situation in the possible host country but due to the fact that travels between countries will be too problematic.)

We want to assure you that all the involved parties did serious and diligent discussion to find out the best solution and that is why we announce the issue in the late July. We took note of very important global events that were transformed, postponed or even cancelled this year such as the LXI International Mathematics Olympiad in St. Petersburg, the LI International Physics Olympiad in Lithuania, XXXII Olympic Games in Japan 2020 or LXV Eurovision Song Contest 2020.

Thus, the common solution is to postpone to 2021 the IAO-2020 with keeping Matera as host city of the IAO in Autumn 2021.

We look forward to seeing and welcoming your team in Matera in 2021 for the XXV IAO!

Nevertheless, we have two options for International content in 2020:
B). To organize some virtual IAO, in which students in every country will write the round problems in their own national centers. Similar to that will be with mathematics (IMO-2020). But with traditional duties in Jury: every country delegate one Jury member for Theoretical round (and, maybe, Practical and Skymap rounds). For this option we are waiting proposals from you for keeping fairness for the online preparing and online round procedures.
C). To cancel IAO-2020 without any alternative this year. Similar to that was decided with physics (IPhO-2020 canceled). For this option, please explain why option B is unacceptable in your opinion (obstacles, concerns, etc.).

Please, send your opinion to IAO Chairman.

If your country has already sent an answer to this (or a similar) question, just ignore this request or send an update of your opinion.


Sincerely Yours,
M. G. Gavrilov,
Chairman of the Council of the International Astronomy Olympiad

• Teams at the Olympiad

• Guideline for new participating countries

• The International Astronomy Olympiad (IAO) Web-site

Dr. Michael G. Gavrilov, Founding Chairman of the International Astronomy Olympiad,
ISSP of Russ. Acad. Sci., Academician Ossipyan street 2, 142432 Chernogolovka, Moscow region, Russia.

URL: http://www.issp.ac.ru/iao/2020/
e-mail: gavrilov@issp.ac.ru
fax: + 7-(496-52)-28-160