Competitions
6 olympiads and selection programs where students test their astronomy and astrophysics skills — from national rounds to the international stage.
IOAA — International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics
The flagship international olympiad in astronomy and astrophysics, held annually since 2007 with rotating host countries. Each edition combines a theoretical exam, a data-analysis exam and observational tasks, plus a team competition.
IOAA-Junior — International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics for Juniors
The junior branch of the IOAA, created for students under 16. It mirrors the senior format with gentler difficulty and has run annually since 2022.
IAO — International Astronomy Olympiad
The oldest international astronomy olympiad, founded in 1996 and held mostly across Eurasia. Students compete in junior and senior age groups through theoretical, practical and observational rounds.
USAAAO — USA Astronomy and Astrophysics Organization
The national selection program that trains and chooses the United States team for the IOAA. Hundreds of students take a free first-round exam each year, with top scorers advancing through the National Astronomy Competition and an online training camp.
NAO — National Astronomy Olympiad (generic national program)
A template for the national astronomy olympiads that most countries run to select their IOAA or IAO teams — such as the OBA in Brazil or national rounds in India and Japan. Structures differ, but most combine written rounds with a final selection camp.
BAAO — British Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad
The UK national olympiad in astronomy and astrophysics, administered by the British Physics Olympiad trust. It selects and trains the British team for the IOAA through tiered papers and an Oxford selection camp.