The 16th International Olympiad in Astronomy and Astrophysics, of which the Copernicus Academy was an official partner, came to an end on 20 August. “Thanks to your support, the Olympiad has not only become a platform for the exchange of knowledge and experience, but also an inspiration for future scientists and researchers,” Stefan Janta, director of the Silesian Planetarium, emphasised in his thanks to the AK.

The Silesian Planetarium was the venue for participants in the 16th International Olympiad in Astronomy and Astrophysics from 10-20 August. 265 competitors and 140 leaders from 53 countries competed in the competition.

In mid-July Copernicus Academy began cooperation with the Nicolaus Copernicus Planetarium and Astronomical Observatory in Chorzów to participate in the organisation of the Olympiad.

As Stefan Janta, director of the Silesian Planetarium, emphasised in a letter addressed to the Copernicus Academy authorities, thanks to the joint effort, ‘the Olympiad has become not only a platform for the exchange of knowledge and experience, but also an inspiration for future scientists and researchers’.

“The President of the IOAA, Aniket Sule, has publicly acknowledged that this was the best organised edition of the Olympiad to date. This is undoubtedly the result of the excellent coordination between the organisers and partners of the event, and we would like to thank you once again for your commitment, which has contributed to the huge success of this unique Olympiad,” the letter further reads.

“We hope that our cooperation will last so that we can continue our mission to spread knowledge about the cosmos and inspire young minds,” added the director of the Silesian Planetarium.