Meet the Winners of 2020

Get to know some of the award winners of the IAAC edition of 2020: We have asked about their interests, inspirations, hobbies and future plans. You find the answers of the award winners below.

Muhammad Rehmoz Salahuddin Ayub

  1. Prize Youth, 2020

Why are you interested in astronomy in general?
Astronomy gives me a sort of new philosophy. Everything on Earth, all the disputes and all the wars and all the conflicts seem so trivial. It makes no sense as to why we should fight over the land and resources when there is a whole universe out there to explore. Astronomy helps me seek that greater perhaps.

Do you think you have gained something from participating in IAAC?
IAAC has been a fascinating experience for me. Apart from getting international exposure and recognition, I have also realized the importance of perseverance, and how one should keep on trying, dream big and have the confidence to make those dreams come true.

What is your favourite astronomy fact or astronomical object?
The universe is expanding all the time. It has no center to it. However, if you take your position as a reference point, then everything seems to move away from you. This holds true no matter where you take your position to be in the universe. Therefore, it can be fairly argued that YOU are at the center of universe! Let that sink in for a moment.

What are your hobbies besides astronomy and science?
I like travelling, reading, parkour, kickboxing, swimming, playing PC games, watching anime, having insightful conversations, and writing funny equations on my whiteboard.

Gopalchetty Tejaswi

  1. Prize Junior, 2020

Why are you interested in astronomy in general?
I am interested in astronomy because it provides us with the deep knowledge about the world around us and beyond. It makes us understand what the universe is and how it works. I am quite fascinated by the depth in theory and complex mathematics in it.

Do you think you have gained something from participating in IAAC?
Yes, it's absolutely true that I have gained a lot from participating in IAAC. It gave me an excellent insight into problem-solving skills in astronomy. I learnt many new facts and concepts in astronomy due to this competition. It totally developed my critical thinking to a new level.

What is your favourite astronomy fact or astronomical object?
My favourite concept regarding astronomy is that of parallel universes, and the fact that every decision taken by each and every being of the universe gives rise to a new parallel universe. And here I would like to quote my favourite line, that "As we know more about it, the more we realize that we know nothing".

Have other people impacted your interest in astronomy?
Yes, it is true that my interest in astronomy has been impacted by someone: my elder brother. Having a deep interest in space since childhood, he sets my ambition to become an astrophysicist. He would always inspire me and teach and discuss many concepts related to astronomy with me. This interaction and guidance inculcated an interest for astronomy in me.

Soumya Sarkar

  2. Prize Youth, 2020

Why are you interested in astronomy in general?
Since my childhood, I am amazed by every little thing related to not only astronomy but also astrophysics and cosmology. I guess this is the only part of our studies that deals with the foundation of our existence and for me, that is the most basic question that has been being asked since the ancient days. And I will be very happy if I can contribute from my side to this quest.

What is your favourite astronomy fact or astronomical object?
Gravitational-wave astronomy. I love this part most and really look forward to work in this field. And another part that really excites me is the mysterious Dark Matter that makes the most of our universe but we don’t know much about this.

What are your hobbies besides astronomy and science?
I have a YouTube channel where I make videos on geology and interesting places on earth. You know, I love travelling and have a plan to convert this channel into a travel-vlog channel in the future. I love watching travelogue videos, love listening to songs.

Do you have plans for your future study career?
I am very much interested in research work. So I will do my P.hD and hopefully, if everything stays well, I will probably be doing some researches on the fields and topics I have mentioned above and will contribute to science.

Yafi Amri

  2. Prize Junior, 2020

Why are you interested in astronomy in general?
My interest in Astronomy began with my curiosity about the whole of the Universe. About 2 years ago I joined the Astronomy Club at my school to start studying Astronomy intensively, in preparation for participating in the National Science Olympiad on Astronomy in my country. For me, Astronomy is a place to channel my gratitude to God for our existence as human beings on this Earth in the Universe, because we will know how magnificent the cosmos is and how we stand in it. By studying Astronomy, we also find the answers to fundamental questions of the human minds, from how the Universe began, the stars can shine, life originates, to the end of the history of the Universe itself in its journey through space and time.

Do you think you have gained something from participating in IAAC?
After participating in the International Astronomy and Astrophysics Competition (IAAC) 2020, I have gained a lot. With this event, I can learn more about Astronomy and Astrophysics. My thinking power and research ability in answering problems and solving cases are getting better trained. Of course, this can also prepare me to compete in the National Science Competition in Astronomy in my country that I will be participating in and even for other International Astronomy Olympics.

What is your favourite astronomy fact or astronomical object?
The astronomical fact that interests me most is the Cosmology section, especially regarding the accelerated expansion of the Universe caused by "Dark Energy" which is still a mystery today. While the object of astronomy that I like the most is Nebula, which is a place where the stars will be born and formed.

What are your hobbies besides astronomy and science?
In addition to studying Astronomy and Science intensively, my hobbies are watching Scientific Documentaries film (such as from National Geographic) and Science Fiction film (such as Interstellar, Gravity, The Martian, etc.), as well as reading Popular Science books (such as books by Carl Sagan and Neil deGrasse Tyson).

Do you have plans for your future study career?
My future career plan is that I want to continue my education to university in my country, the Bandung Institute of Technology, and even to world-renowned universities such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in order to learn more about Astronomy, Astrophysics, Cosmology, and Quantum Physics. I want to be one of the figures who play a role in the development of science in the world to get the Nobel Prize. I also hope to be able to have a career at NASA, ESA, and also IAU.

Mooneesah Abeer Fatimah

  3. Prize Youth, 2020

Why are you interested in astronomy in general?
Astronomy teaches both the insignificance and significance of us in this universe and second the beauty of it, let it be the stars, the night sky, Dark matter, Black hole, Galaxies, Nebulae and much more they are just beautiful. It is immense, beautiful, humbling, thought-provoking, and awe-inspiring all at the same time. Astronomy has a lot of fascinating and interesting facts and theories that made me too fell in love with Astronomy. I feel astronomy is a combination of beauty with mystery and silence that needs to be explored.

Do you think you have gained something from participating in IAAC?
Yes, I have gained a lot from participating in IAAC. This platform has helped me in showing my knowledge and skills in Astronomy and Astrophysics. While preparing for the competition, it has helped me to increase my knowledge and I have learnt new things. IAAC has also given me a unique opportunity to prove my skills as a co-ordinator and to encourage students to engage with astronomy.

What are your hobbies besides astronomy and science?
My hobbies besides astronomy are programming and coding. I know programming languages like Python, C, C++, Java, JavaScript, SQL, MATLAB. I also like reading and writing. I am also a great artist. I like to research about topics related to astronomy and technology in order to increase my knowledge. I have also started an Instagram page(astronomy_with_mooneesah) and YouTube channel (Astronomy with Mooneesah) to encourage students towards astronomy.

Do you have plans for your future study career?
I would like a Master’s course/program that would help me as a computer science engineer or a computer security specialist to use these applications in the field of space science. I would really like to expand my knowledge in the fields in which I am pursuing my career and utilize it in the field in which I have an interest.

Omar Khattab

  3. Prize Junior, 2020

Why are you interested in astronomy in general?
My astronomy journey has started since I was the kid who stargazes in the middle of the starry sky. In addition to the desire for discovery as a kid, after joining high school, I pursued astronomy as a passion through involving in different activities and working on a peer-reviewed research that employs the art of astronomy.

Do you think you have gained something from participating in IAAC?
Certainly! Participating in IAAC was such a great experience as I was exposed to different types of astronomy and astrophysics problems that implemented my problem-solving skills and knowledge about astronomy. For me, IAAC was a decent chance to pursue my passion for astronomy.

What is your favourite astronomy fact or astronomical object?
My personal favourite is Callisto or Jupiter IV, the second-largest moon of Jupiter. I’ve always been fond of that picture of the special moon of Jupiter with its heavily cratered terrain and beautiful bright white spots standing out against darker regions.

What are your hobbies besides astronomy and science?
I have many hobbies, including sports, photography, volunteering, travelling, and video gaming. However, my preferred hobby besides astronomy and science is photography. Photography doesn't only allow me to unleash my creativity and talent but also allows me to merge between my passion for astronomy and talent by pursuing most of the time astrophotography.