Global Electronic Competition in Astronomy and Astrophysics (GeCAA)

Amazing results of the Canadian team at the first GeCAA! 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was not recommended to host the International Olympiad in Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) in any host country this year. Thus, the 14th IOAA 2020 has been canceled.

The IOAA International Council organized the Global Electronic Competition in Astronomy and Astrophysics (GeCAA) as an alternative educational event for students who were due to participate in this year's IOAA. The competition was organized by the international commission IOAA with broad support from the Estonian Astronomical Olympiad Committee.

As a technical organizer, the Estonian Astronomy Olympiad Committee was responsible for all the logistics and technological solutions to make this event a success.

Individual Category ◦ Each participant of this event category must appear for three rounds of test online. One test will be based on theoretical problems, one on the data analysis problems, one on observation related problems. ◦ The rounds for this category took place on September 25, 26 and 27, 2020. Each test was held for 2-3 hours. All participants from any given team must start the test at the same time. ◦ All participants was login to examination interface through individual devices.

Group Category ◦ In this event category, the participants was  group in mixed international teams by the organizers. ◦ The teams  introduced to each other by September 10, 2020. ◦ This round took place on September 28 by October 12, 2020.

The 1^st GeCAA was very well organized. 40 countries took part in the Olympiad.

This year we had the opportunity to present a team of 10 students for participation. The Canadian team consisted of the winners of the International Physics and Astrophysics Olympiad, the Canadian Astronomical Olympiad and the CAP contest.

It is a great pleasure to announce the amazing results! For the second year in a row, Zening Lee wins the gold medal of the International Astrophysical Olympiad and for the first time in the history of Canada becomes its absolute winner this year! Two other participants - Eric Muselev and Daniel Young, win bronze medals. Our students also have four Honorable mention in individual and group competitions.