Kathmandu — The Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) has been officially recognized as a National Member of the International Astronomical Union (IAU), the world’s leading authority in astronomy.

NASO stated that Nepal’s long-standing efforts have culminated in official recognition as an IAU member nation. With this, Nepal’s astronomical activities have received formal international acknowledgment.

Since 2007, NASO has been actively engaged in astronomy education, research, and public outreach in Nepal. The IAU has now accepted NASO as the national representative body. Earlier, in 2024, Nepal had been granted Observer Status during the 32nd General Assembly of the IAU held in Cape Town, South Africa.

IAU’s newly elected President and 2011 Nobel Laureate in Physics, Professor Brian P. Schmidt, officially informed NASO of the decision through an email on Tuesday, Kartik 18, 2082. He wrote: “Based on the dialogues and correspondence with NASO, the IAU Executive Committee has selected NASO as the National Member for Nepal, expected to represent the entire astronomical community of the country.”

This decision is said to pave the way for Nepal to participate more strongly in the international astronomy community, contribute to global scientific collaboration, and create new opportunities in space research.

NASO President Suresh Bhattarai remarked that this achievement is the recognition of decades of effort and marks an important milestone toward Nepal eventually obtaining Full Membership in the IAU.

NASO has also called upon eligible Nepali citizens working in Nepal and abroad to apply for individual membership in the IAU. Application forms and details are available on the IAU’s official website.

On this occasion, NASO expressed its commitment to elevate Nepal’s presence in the field of astronomy to greater heights on the global stage.