Kathmandu: Nepal has achieved a significant milestone by securing a bronze medal in the 27th International Astronomy Olympiad, which took place from November 6 to 14 in Beijing, China. Drishanta Kumar Maharjan earned the bronze medal, as confirmed by Suresh Kumar Bhattarai, President of Nepal Astronomical Society.

This marks Nepal's consistent participation in the International Astronomy Olympiad since 2018. Prior to this year's accomplishment, Nepal had also claimed a bronze medal in the 2019 edition of the Olympiad. The representatives for Nepal in international Olympiads are selected from winners of the National Astronomy Olympiad, which commenced in 2014.

The National Astronomy Olympiad serves as a platform to identify and nurture talented students, allowing them to represent Nepal in various international competitions. Nepal's participation in the International Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad since 2014 has resulted in students securing 12 honorary medals and two bronze medals.

Suresh Kumar Bhattarai highlighted that Nepali students have also earned three honorary medals in the International Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad-Junior since its inception in 2022. This achievement reflects Nepal's growing presence and success in the field of astronomy on the international stage.