Moldovan students win three medals at International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics for Juniors
The Republic of Moldova achieved notable success at the International Junior Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad, held in Piatra Neamț, Romania. The country won one silver medal, two bronze medals, and received several honorable mentions. This was Moldova's first participation in the event, which featured two complete teams. Natalia Mogîldea, a reporter for Radio Moldova, discussed the competition experience and the challenges students faced in an interview with Daria Boguș, a silver medalist.
Daria Boguș is a 10th grade student at a private high school in the capital. Although she says she is more passionate about physics, she also set out to discover astronomy, a field that has fascinated her since her early studies.
Over 100 students from 22 countries participated in the Olympiad in Piatra Neamț.
“I really wanted to get this medal. The teachers who accompanied us d didn’t tell us anything until the results were announced. When I found out, I started crying. It was incredible. I still can’t believe it now,” the student confessed.
The Olympians took three tests: one theoretical, one practical—observing with a telescope, and the Sky map test, or silent map, as it is also called. Although she prepared thoroughly, especially for the theoretical test, Daria Boguș admits that she was surprised by the complexity of the subjects.
“These are complex problems that require deep thinking and analysis, mostly from the field of astrophysics. On the silent map test – a portion of the night sky, with stars, but without the constellations drawn – you have to complete different tasks, most of them related to identifying and drawing constellations,” the student explained.
Her passion for astronomy was instilled in her by a colleague, Vlad Smochină, who organized this year’s Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad. Daria Boguș is determined to continue her studies and to participate in the Olympiad for seniors next year.
"I am most fascinated by the movement of stars and those thermal, thermodynamic and celestial mechanics processes that occur between them. Relativistic physics is a real mystery to me. I want to conduct research and better understand these phenomena. I am seriously considering pursuing a master's or doctorate in the field of astrophysics," he said.
The second edition of the Republican Olympiad in Astronomy and Astrophysics will be organized at the beginning of 2026. The student encourages all young people passionate about this field not to miss the opportunity to participate, to test their knowledge and present their discoveries.
**Results of the Republic of Moldova team at the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics for Juniors **
Daria Boguș – silver medal
Bogdan Leahu – bronze medal
David Dudnicenco – bronze medal
Laura Panas – honorable mention
Abdel al Khatib – honorable mention
Mădălina Valean – honorable mention
Cătălina Plămădeală – honorable mention
Cătălina Rotari – honorable mention
Polina Smochina – honorable mention
