50 representatives of 19 countries participated in 2010 in International School of Young Astronomers

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 5, ARMENPRESS: Fifty representatives of 19 countries partook this year in the School of Young Astronomers conducted from September 12 to October 2 in Byurakan Observatory after Victor Hambardzumyan. Eighteen students were involved from Armenia. The school was conducted under the patronage of the International Astronomic Union (IAU). Day and long-distance observations in on-line regime were conducted within its framework.

Areg Michaelyan, chairman of the organizational committee of the school, chairman of the Armenian Astronomic Union, said during a press conference held today at the press hall of “Armenpress”, that young astronomers themselves conducted the observation of the Hawaiian Islands.

Chairman of the IAU Robert Williams participated in this year’s school as well, who, according to Mr. Michaelyan, is currently number 1 person in astronomy. The participants of the school also attended the ceremony of handing of the International Award after Victor Hambardzumyan.

According to the astronomer, aspirants and students of master’s degree of the countries of the region will be invited in near future to get education in Armenia.

“Armenia’s ‘playing card’ in this issue is that we have quite good astronomic school, which is of strategic significance for our country,” the speaker said, adding that in regard to astronomic development Armenia is in the list of the 20 countries of the world, which is quite a high index.

The IAU has covered the expenses of the fare of the students and lecturers, and the local expenses have been covered with the support of the UNESCO, State Science Committee, National Foundation of Science and Advanced Technologies (NFSAT) and National Academy of Sciences.