Dear Teachers in Charge and Schools Astronomy Clubs,

This post marks the official launch of AstroChallenge 2020! As mentioned in the Updated Information Letter, the AstroChallenge 2020 Organising Committee has prepared briefing materials for different components of AstroChallenge 2020:

AC2020 Administrative Guide For Participants

This guide contains important administrative details for AstroChallenge 2020. It reiterates key information from both the Invitation Letter and Updated Information Letter, as well as details of how AC2020 will be conducted online for the first time. Brief description of what to expect for each component and submissions guidelines can also be found in this guide. Participants can also find a summary of key submissions to be made before Day 1.

AC2020 Content Guide For Participants

This guide contains key format changes from past years AstroChallenge, general tips and resources for AstroChallenge 2020.

AC2020 Observation Round Materials

This zip file contains a briefing of the details of Observation Round for AC2020, Night Sky Tour question (new component) and guidelines. An URL to the video briefing of Observation Round can also be found. Do note that as AC2020 will be conducted online, the physical AC components briefed in the video will be irrelevant.

AC2020 Updated Project Round Infosheet

The updated project round infosheet has already been released previously together with the updated information letter. It contains the updated information of Project Round.

AC2020 Data Analysis Question (For Seniors)

The DAQ is a new component in Seniors Teams Round. The question has already been released.

Telegram Guide & Zoom Guide

Telegram will be used as a main communication platform besides email for AC2020. Information on how the platform is utilised for AC2020 is detailed in AC2020 Administrative Guide. The Telegram Guide contains information of installation and joining of AstroChallenge 2020 Main Channel and groups. All participants are required to join AstroChallenge 2020 Main Channel to receive key updates before and during the competition. Link to the Channel can be found here: https://t.me/joinchat/AAAAAE35BxxN0vg-YTlywA

Zoom will be used as the main competition platform for AC2020. Information on how the platform is utilised for AC2020 is detailed in AC2020 Administrative Guide. The Zoom Guide contains information of installation and joining of the competition meeting room on Day 1 and 2. All participants are highly encouraged to familiarise themselves with the information provided to facilitate smooth execution of Day 1 and 2.

We understand that these changes can be confusing and drastic. Should you have any query regarding any of details in the guides or AC2020 in general, please feel free to direct them to astrochallenge@gmail.com. We will try to get back to you as fast as we can!

We wish you Clear Skies ahead and look forward to your participation in AstroChallenge 2020 Day 1 and Day 2!

Thank you and Best Regards,

AstroChallenge 2020 Organizing Committee

Dear All,

We apologize for the long wait you have to endure for us to come up with the updated Information letterand Project Round Infosheet. There were many logistical changes we have to make due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

In view of the situation, AstroChallenge 2020 will be held online on 5thSeptember, 5thDecember and 9thDecember 2020. Due to the change in format of AstroChallenge 2020, we have adjusted several components of AstroChallenge this year.

We would kindly implore you to read the updated Information Letter and Project Round Infosheet closely.

We would like to take this opportunity to announce that registration for AstroChallenge 2020 is reopened and the deadline is 3rdDecember 2020.

As usual, if you should have any queries, feel free to email us. We will get back to you as soon as we can.

We wish you Clear Skies ahead and thank you for your support for AstroChallenge!

Regards,

The Astrochallenge Organizing Team of 2020

In view of the developing COVID-19 situation, this post serves to address the activation of our contingency plan for an online-only format (“AC Online”) for AstroChallenge 2020. Please read the AstroChallenge 2020 Contingency Plans for details of the format changes in accordance to the contingency plans of AstroChallenge 2020.

We understand that this is an entirely novel situation for teachers, students and organizers alike, the organizing committee of AstroChallenge 2020 has decided to extend the registration deadline to 1st May 2020. The committee would also like to find out your interest in participating in AstroChallenge 2020, in view of the format changes. This will be of great help to the organising committee in logistical arrangements for the event. Please kindly reply to us to indicate your interest in participation.

Do note that registration has to be performed online through https://www.astrochallenge.org/ before the deadline. Indications of interest in participation through email do not register your team for AstroChallenge 2020.

If there is any concern or query regarding these format revisions or AstroChallenge 2020 in general, you may contact the organising committee at astrochallenge@gmail.com to seek further clarifications. We seek your understanding in these trying times and we look forward to bringing you a rigourous, challenging and fun competition!

Thanks and Best Regards
Grace Huang Wei (Ms)
Chairperson of AstroChallenge 2020
Vice-President of NUS Astronomical Society

Dear all,

We would like to cordially invite you to participate in AstroChallenge 2020.  This year’s AstroChallenge 2020 will be held on 23rd May, 30^th May and 13th June 2020. Registration can be performed at this link. Please register under “Junior” if either you are a secondary school or if you are enrolled in the first 4 years of an IP/IB school. If you are enrolled in a Junior College, Polytechnic or the last 2 years of an IP/IB school, please register under “Senior”.

With this, we are proud to present to you the list of format changes for AstroChallenge 2020. These changes will mainly affect the Senior teams during Observation Round.

We are also delighted to present to you the 20 questions and important information (including the submission format and rubrics) regarding the Project Round. They are in the Project Round Infosheet

If you have any query with regards to AstroChallenge 2020, kindly direct them to astrochallenge@gmail.com. Furthermore, do keep a lookout on our facebook page for more updates on information pertaining to AC2020.

Regards,
AC 2020 Organizing Committee

Dear All,

The AC2019 Hall of Fame has now been uploaded, and may be found here. We have also uploaded the Day 1 question papers and partial solutions onto our website. Solutions to the Team Round will be uploaded shortly.

For photos of AC2019, as well as the top 3 videos for each category, please do visit our Facebook page!

Should you have any queries or feedback regarding AC2019, feel free to email us.

All the best for AC2020!

The AC2019 Organizing Committee

Dear all, thank you for participating in AstroChallenge 2019. We hope that you had a memorable experience and attained new knowledge in astronomy. We strongly believe in our vision: to enhance student’s interest in astronomy and to foster close inter-school ties in this field. Your keen interest in this AstroChallenge is a solid proof to it.

Below is the list of award winners of AstroChallenge 2019:

Junior Category:

• Most Popular Exhibit: Bukit Panjang Government High School Team 2
• Best Project Exhibit: National Junior College
• Best Video: Raffles Girls School Team 2
• Best Astronomer: Choong Kai Zhe (Raffles Institution Team 1)
• 2nd Runners-Up: NUS High School of Math and Science Team 1
• 1st Runners-Up: Raffles Institution Team 1
• Champion: Bukit Panjang Government High School Team 1

Senior Category:

• Most Popular Exhibit: Hwa Chong Institution Team 3
• Best Project Exhibit: River Valley High School
• Best Video: Victoria Junior College Team 2
• Best Astronomer: Yang Yuchen (Hwa Chong Institution Team 1)
• Best Observation: Raffles Institution
• 2nd Runners-Up: Hwa Chong Institution Team 1
• 1st Runners-Up: Raffles Institution Team 1
• Champion: NUS High School of Math and Science Team 1

Congratulations to all the prize recipients! We hope that all of you have meaningful takeaways from this event.

We would also want to hear from you how you find AstroChallenge 2019. Please take a few minutes to complete the feedback form at: https://tinyurl.com/AC2019Feedback. Your input can help us make the next AC even better! Looking forward to seeing you again in AstroChallenge 2020.

Dear all,

In response to a participant query, we will like to confirm that the Project Round Rubrics will be similar to what has been used in previous years. A copy of the rubrics may be found here.

Dear All,

We sincerely apologize for the long wait you have had to endure for us to come up with this information letter. We have to admit that there were quite alot of changes necessary. As such, We, the AC2019 Organizing Committee would like to implore you to read this Information Letter closely.

The Letter can be found here.

We would also like to take this opportunity to kindly remind everyone that the deadline for AC2019 registration has been extended to 2359 hrs on Friday the 17th of May 2019.

As usual, if you should have any questions at all regarding this letter or any other issue, email us. We will get back to you as soon as we can.

We wish you Clear Skies ahead and thank you for your support for Astrochallenge.

Due to popular feedback from schools, we have decided to extend the deadline to 2359 hrs on Friday the 17th May 2019. As the final details in the Information Letter are still being hammered out, we will be sending that to you shortly.

Please follow the link to register.

Thank you very much for your support!

Dear all,

We are proud to present to you another rendition of AstroChallenge rhis year. If you have not done so, please register at this link. Please register under “Junior” if either you are a secondary school or if you are enrolled in the first 4 years of an IP/IB school. If you are enrolled in a Junior College, Polytechnic or the last 2 years of an IP/IB school, please register under “Senior”. Any queries, any at all can be directed to astrochallenge@gmail.com. We will try our best to reply you as soon and as well as we possibly can.

With this, we are also delighted to present to you 30 questions for you to ponder about for the Project Round. This segment would count 35pc for Junior Section and 25pc for Senior Section this year. They are in the document attached below.

With regards to the Project Round, do include a written transcript for your video (can be in doc/pdf) and submit the transcript together with your video on Day 0 (31st May 2019) of AstroChallenge. At the end of your transcript, do include the references that you have used for your video.

Once again, if you have any queries with regards to AstroChallenge 2019, kindly direct them to astrochallenge@gmail.com. Furthermore, do keep a lookout on our facebook page for more updates on information pertaining to AC2019.

Regards,
AC 2019 Organizing Committee

Project Round Questions