If you're passionate about astrophysics, there are several opportunities that can expose you to understanding beyond the classroom, with competitions being a standout option. Participating in astrophysics and astronomy contests not only deepens your knowledge but also sparks scientific curiosity and innovation.

Besides theoretical and practical learning, these competitions offer significant academic advantages. They demonstrate your dedication to a field of study, which colleges often recognize as a testament to your commitment. Participating in such contests is an excellent way to showcase your problem-solving skills and enhance your college applications.

To help you explore, here are 8 noteworthy astronomy and astrophysics competitions for high school students!

1. International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics

Registration deadline: Registrations generally open 6 months before the event 

Eligibility: High school students who are not graduating by January 1 of the year of the competition and will be below the age of 20 by July 1 of the year of the competition 

Prize: Prizes can be in the form of medals, certificates or awards, determined at the discretion of the organizer

Competition dates: August (tentatively, based on previous years)

Location: TBA

Cost: No participation cost, but students might have to cover travel costs to the host city.

The International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) is a prestigious global competition held annually in a different host country. It challenges participants in both theoretical and practical aspects of astronomy and astrophysics. The theoretical section examines various topics, including cosmology, space technologies, coordinates and times, and solar and stellar systems. Meanwhile, the practical section focuses on observations and data analysis, which may involve the use of astronomical instruments or software.

Participants compete in teams led by a professional astronomer or teacher as their team leader. Given the international scope of the IOAA, students must enter through their respective National Olympiad Committees. You can review previous exam papers to get a better grasp of the content and level of difficulty!

2. International Astronomy and Astrophysics Competition

Application deadline: April 26, 2025 (tentative, based on previous year’s deadline).

Eligibility: All high school and university students can apply (there is a Junior category for those under 18 and a Youth category for those over 18)

Prize: Up to $150 in cash, as well as special awards for select participants

Competition dates: Tentative submission deadlines are as follows:

• Qualification round: April 26, 2025

• Pre-final round: June 2, 2025

• Final round exam: June 25, 2025

Location: Online

Cost: €8 for the pre-final round (the qualification round is free to take part in)

The International Astronomy and Astrophysics Competition (IAAC) is a prestigious online contest that allows participants to engage from the comfort of their homes. This competition is structured in three levels: the qualification round, the pre-final round, and the final round. In the qualification round, participants tackle five astronomy problems. Successful participants then move to the pre-final round, which involves solving six problems, including two research-based problems that necessitate reading scientific papers. Lastly, the final round is a multiple-choice exam that tests comprehensive knowledge of astronomy and astrophysics.

To advance through each level, participants must achieve a specific number of points. The questions range from general knowledge to complex astrophysical calculations, requiring a fundamental understanding of the subject. Reviewing past competitions and their solutions can provide valuable preparation and insight into the types of problems encountered in the IAAC.

3. International Space Olympiad

Registration deadline: April (tentatively, based on previous years)

Eligibility: Students from Grades 5 to 12 across the world (there are three categories based on age: Junior, Senior, and Super Senior)

Prize: A free trip to NASA!

Competition dates: Preliminary exam in May, Intermediate exam in August, Final exam in November 

Location: Online

Fee: INR 500 for the preliminary exam; the other two exams require separate payment, but further details are unavailable

The International Space Olympiad is designed to ignite students' passion for space science and astrophysics. This competition consists of three levels of online exams, each progressively challenging and covering an extensive syllabus that includes space science, space technology, and the history of space explorations. Edu Mithra Intellectual Services, the organization behind this initiative, supports participants by providing e-books that align with the syllabus and offering online training sessions before each exam. 

Participants must successfully pass each exam to advance to the next level, ensuring a thorough understanding of the subject matter at each stage. The competition enhances your knowledge and interest in space science and offers a remarkable reward: the chance to win a free trip to NASA, which is a great opportunity to network and interact with some of the brightest minds in this industry! 

4. NSS Gerard K. O’Neill Space Settlement Contest

Submission deadline: February 15, 2025 (tentatively, based on previous year’s deadlines). 

Eligibility: All students up to the 12th grade (international students can apply)

Prize: Cash prizes and certificates. The top student’s submission will be hosted on the contest website. The student will also attend the NSS’s International Space Development Conference and receive the Herman Rubin Memorial Scholarship of $5,000. 

Competition dates: All submissions must be made by February 15, 2025 (tentatively, based on the previous year’s deadlines). 

Location: Online

Fee: $15 entry fee, which can be waived in certain cases

The NSS Gerard K. O'Neill Space Settlement Contest, organized annually by the National Space Society (NSS), focuses specifically on designing viable space settlements. Unlike broader science competitions, this contest challenges students to develop practical solutions for human habitation beyond Earth. 

Participants must consider a variety of factors, including engineering, agriculture, economics, and social dynamics, to create comprehensive space settlement designs. This interdisciplinary approach ensures that students explore multiple areas to complete their projects effectively. Participants can enter the contest either individually or as part of a team, and submissions are categorized by age group. 

For those interested, a list of helpful resources is available to assist throughout the design process.

5. International Astronomy Olympiad

Registration deadline: Early September

Eligibility: Students aged 14 – 18 years old 

Prize: Students receive diplomas depending on their rank

Program dates: November 6, 2024 – November 14, 2024 (tentatively, based on the previous year’s deadlines).

Location: Beijing, China

Fee: Approximately €445 per team, although this can vary with the host city/country.

Now in its 27th year, the Euro-Asian Astronomical Society organizes this prestigious annual competition. Typically, participants are those who have excelled in their country's National Astronomy Olympiad, indicating the high level of expertise required. The event is held in different international locations each year and comprises three rounds: theoretical, observational, and practical.

Given the competition's scale, students must participate through an official astronomy organization in their home country. Each nation typically fields a team of 3-5 participants accompanied by 1-2 professional team leaders. One of the program's highlights is its global scope, offering students the chance to engage with peers and experts from around the world, fostering lasting international connections.

6. The European Astro Pi Challenge – Mission Space Lab

Registration deadline: Registration opens on November 6, 2023

Eligibility: Students age 19 or younger can form teams of 2-6 people

Prize: Previous winners have been given the opportunity to attend a live Q&A session with an astronaut

Competition dates: November to February

Location: Online

Fee: Free

If you have an interest in computer programming and space exploration, consider participating in this competition, which focuses on the practical applications of coding in space. Working in teams, you will develop a Python program to solve a specified scientific task, which is then executed on the International Space Station (ISS). The 2023-24 edition challenge requires students to create a program that utilizes the Astro Pi computers on the ISS to collect data and calculate the station's speed.

The competition is divided into several phases, including idea submission, programming, and deployment on the ISS. At each stage, select teams advance to the next level. With over 700 teams registering last year and only 10 winning, the competition is highly competitive. Participating will teach you about the ISS's operations and provide hands-on experience in data analysis and computer program troubleshooting.

7. Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF)

Eligibility: All high school students (even international students can apply)

Prize: Cash prizes with the top winner receiving $75,000. Additional prizes could include scholarships, internship opportunities, lab equipment and more 

Competition dates: Regional/local fairs usually conclude by April, ISEF takes place over one week in the month of May 

Location: Los Angeles (location varies by year)

Fee: Ideally, any costs will be covered by the fair/organization through which you get accepted to the ISEF 

Unlike the other competitions listed, the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) evaluates students based on their research projects. Participants can work individually or in teams, and their research must align with the competition’s categories, one of which includes astronomy and cosmology. The program emphasizes thorough research, and participants are judged on their scientific inquiry, execution, and both virtual and physical presentations.

It's important to note that to qualify for ISEF, students must first participate in a regional or local fair. Although this preliminary step may seem daunting, the prestige of the competition makes it worthwhile. If you’re interested, you can look at our blog, which covers ISEF in detail!

8. US Invitational Young Physicists Tournament (USIYPT)

Application deadline: January 10, 2024

Eligibility: All high school students, even international ones, can form teams of 2-4 people. All team members must be from the same school. 

Competition dates: February 3, 2024 – February 4, 2023

Location: North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC

Fee: $1000 per team (this covers registration, membership fees, three nights’ hotel stay, meals, and local transport. International travel is not included in this) 

Hosted by the United States Association for Young Physicists Tournaments (USAYPT), a non-profit organization, the USIYPT is a unique physics research and debate competition. Teams of four students are tasked with developing solutions to four challenging problems and then presenting and defending their solutions in 'physics fights'—debate-style events where they argue their solutions against those of opposing teams.

While the competition covers a broad spectrum of physics topics, past problems have often included elements of astronomy. For example, previous tournaments have included tasks such as creating a three-dimensional map of the moon’s surface, measuring the length of one Astronomical Unit, and investigating the physics behind non-water rainbows.

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Image Source - International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics Logo