Practical Astronomy

The practical portion of olympiads can be divided into two main categories: data analysis and observational astronomy. Both of these skills are essential for success in astronomy competitions.

Data Analysis

Data analysis is the process of inspecting, cleaning, transforming, and modeling data with the goal of discovering useful information, drawing conclusions, and supporting decision-making. It involves various techniques and tools to analyze data sets to summarize their main characteristics, often with visual methods.

An amazing handout covering all of data analysis required for olympiads is Data Analysis Handouts by Ayush Tiwari, an IOAA 2025 participant from Nepal.

Observational Astronomy

Olympiad participants are required to perform observational tasks, such as identifying constellations, using telescopes, or marking objects on star maps. These tasks require a good understanding of the night sky and the ability to use various tools and techniques for observation.

A great resource to get started with observational astronomy is Practical Handout for Olympiad by Ayush Tiwari. This handout covers the basics of observational astronomy, including how to read star maps and identify constellations.