Kathmandu, Nov 9. A Nepali has been nominated for the first time to the International Astronomical Union (IAU), an organisation of astronomical scientists. The Union has nominated Suresh Bhattarai to the post of Associate Member of the IAU.

The IAU Headquarters in Paris nominated him the associate member at the recommendation of IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach Japan Office.

Bhattarai is the founder president of Nepal Astronomical Society and has been involved in the study and research of astronomy in Nepal since the last 15 years. Before this, Bhattarai had been working as the IAU’s Nepal Representatives since 2018. He is also working as the part-time lecturer of physics at Trichandra Campus since 2016.
Upon his nomination to the IAU, he said he planned to work in the astronomy education, public relations, and heritage and culture sectors in Nepal. Bhattarai added that he would work in collaboration with the governmental and non-governmental organisations working in astronomy. He plans to work for the coordinated research in astrology. Although there is a tradition since the time of the ancient sages of the astrologers also studying some sections of astronomy which is a part of the Vedas, coordinated research is found lacking in this realm.

More than 13,500 astronomers from 100 countries are members of the Union established in 1919. The Head Office of the Union is in Paris, France. At present there are 102 Associate Members.

Those astronomers holding PhD in astronomy are given the Junior Membership of the Union. It has 717 junior members at present. (RSS)