Regarding the Union's 2026 Preparation Instructions:
The S4AU Academic Department will organize CNAO 2026 preparation activities, and everyone is welcome to study together! During the winter vacation, the main format of the activities will be exercise questions and explanations based on knowledge blocks. If you are interested in this activity, please contact the union's official email (s4au_official@163.com) to join the union's preparation exchange WeChat group. Preparation activities are completely free of charge.
Union Preparation Questions and Materials Summary:
The main reference textbook for this preparation activity is "天文学新概论" (5th Edition).
Preparation-related questions and reference answers will be released on the official website simultaneously after the explanation of each knowledge block for participating students to review. (Update time: March 18, 2026)
Week 1: Celestial Coordinate Systems, Time and Calendars - Exercises
Week 1: Celestial Coordinate Systems, Time and Calendars - Solutions
Week 2: Solar System and Celestial Mechanics - Exercises
Week 2: Solar System and Celestial Mechanics - Solutions
Week 3: Stars and Galaxies - Exercises
Week 3: Stars and Galaxies - Solutions
Week 4: High-Energy Astrophysics and Cosmology - Exercises
Week 4: High-Energy Astrophysics and Cosmology - Solutions
Week 5: Telescopes, Observational Common Sense and the History of Astronomy - Exercises
S4AU WeChat Official Account Preparation Column:
[CNAO Prep] The Most Comprehensive Summary of Messier Objects
Introduction to the Chinese National Astronomy Olympiad:
The Chinese National Astronomy Olympiad (CNAO) is an extracurricular astronomy competition for secondary school students nationwide, approved by the Ministry of Education, hosted by the Chinese Astronomical Society, and organized by the Beijing Planetarium. The competition is divided into two stages: preliminary and final. The organizing committee determines the candidates for the final in high and low age groups based on the preliminary results.
Based on the final results, selection trial performance, and international competition requirements, outstanding contestants will enter the training and selection process to eventually form the Chinese National Team to represent our country in relevant international astronomy competitions.
The Chinese National Astronomy Olympiad (CNAO) is a "White List" competition for primary and secondary schools announced by the Ministry of Education.
For more information about the competition, please visit the official website of the Chinese National Astronomy Olympiad: https://www.bjp.org.cn/qgzxstwzsjs/index.shtml
Note: According to the latest news from the Beijing Planetarium, official registration for the 2026 CNAO preliminary round started on March 3. No test center has been set up in Shanghai for this preliminary round; candidates can choose the nearest test centers in Yancheng, Jiangsu or Hefei, Anhui (both are about a 2.5-hour high-speed rail journey) to register.