Kathmandu Valley . This observatory is mainly used for the research projects by the Masters ’ students at Tribhuvan University . From comet sighting to meteor showers to eclipses or transits , Nepal slowly started developing an environment where people started their activities related to astronomy outreach mainly in Kathmandu valley and the plains of Nepal . Many of the groups found on the internet from Nepal are dormant now . With the rise of internet accessibility and the establishment of many television channels , people formed many astronomy groups in Nepal around 2004 , which had the Venus Transit , and were able to create some momentum raising the interest of people in astronomy . In 2006 , IAU GA had created a new environment and excitement as people knew that Pluto was no more a planet ! This news created a buzz around the world and Nepal could not be away from it . While people were surprised to know the new changes in the definition of a planet and the 9th planet of our solar system was no more a planet , the announcement of the celebration of the International Heliophysical Year 2007 ( IHY2007 ) created a new environment in the country . In 2007 , a group of students at Tri-Chandra Campus , Ghantaghar from Kathmandu decided to work in astronomy outreach and formed the Students Astronomical Society ( SAS ) which was later named Nepal Astronomical Society ( NASO ). The following are some of the activities or events that helped us to change the landscape of astronomy outreach in Nepal . 1 . International Year of Astronomy
COURTESY OF Nepal Astronomical Society
Above , a NASO project coordinator helps a young girl observe the sun through the PST at one of the organization ’ s Solar Outreach Programs held in 2016 . Below , a visitor enjoys NASO ’ s solar observation program at CAN InfoTech 2019 . The CAN Info-Tech is an international trade fair for the computer industry that takes place annually in Kathmandu and is organized by the Computer Association of Nepal ( CAN ).
27