In the last (1995/96) year, as in the past years, there was  few- 
level astronomical olympiad in Russia. A local  tours  took  place  in 
about 35 regions of the country. About 60 winners held their  competi- 
tion in May, 11-14, in Kaluga (about 200 km from Moscow). All partici- 
pants were divided into three age groups: 8-9, 10 and 11 year of  edu- 
cation. Every participant was offered  some  exercises  in  accordance 
with his age, which were checked and graded by jury the next day. Win- 
ners were congratulated and rewarded by not-too-expensive prizes in  a 
ceremonial close of the Olympiads. Some examples of exercises are  gi- 
ven below. 

For participants of 8-9 year of education:

Theoretical exam:
     6. Estimate the difference between linear velocities of two  ast- 
ronauts on the Moon if one of them sees the Earth in  zenith  and  the 
other one is located in the opposite point of the Moon' globe. 

Practical exam:
     You are given a print of the comet Huakutake when it was observed 
near the North Celestial pole (photo by D.Chichmar'). This  image  was 
obtained by not-guided camera. The enlarged print was taken  from  the 
24x36 film frame. You also have in Your possession a  stellar  map  of 
the polar region, a ruler, a pencil and a protractor. Try to find  the 
answers to the next questions: 
     1. What was (approximately) the exposure of the film?
     2. Put the position of the comet on Your map. Identify  the  most 
bright stars seen on the print.
     3. Calculate the angular size of the print and the visible length 
of comet' tail.
     4. Find the focal length of the camera which  was  used  to  make 
this shot.

For participants of 11 year of education:

Theoretical exam:
     4. A satellite is observed in the optical telescope near the  ho- 
rizon. At what direction the optical lazer beam must  be  targeted  if 
the atmospheric refraction can't be ignored,  to   hit  the  satellite 
(lower, higher or just as You see a satellite)? 
     6. The period of radio pulses of some pulsar  mass  of  which  is 
equal to two solar masses is found to be P = 1 sec.  Precise  measure- 
ments gave evidence of small variations of P - even if the  motion  of 
the observer around the Sun was taken into account:  it  appears  that 
the value of P changes periodically with period of one  year  and  the 
amplitude 10-8 sec. What mass may have a satellite circling the pulsar 
which causes this period variation? 

     Full list of the problems is available in Russian.

     Astronomical Lectures of professional scientists are also organi- 
zed for the participants. The excursions to local sightseeings and so- 
me entertainments are also included in the program. 
     We try to use the Olympiads not only to reveal  the  most  bright 
teenagers and to support the interest to astronomy among  schoolchild- 
ren. The other goal is to help teachers accompanying schoolchildren in 
their professional qualification and to unite their efforts to  change 
the situation with the astronomical education in schools to the  best. 
As the bright result, the Association of  teachers  of  astronomy  has 
been organized the last year. 
     The main problem which we meet every year is  to  find  financial 
support to organize the Olympiads. It always appears that not all  re- 
gions of Russian Federatiom can send their representatives to Olympiad 
due to financial problems.
 
The III Autumn Astronomical School in SAO RAS was or- 
ganized for the winners of this Olympiad (25 partici- 
pants were invited) and their teachers  of  astronomy 
which accompany them. The School lasted ten  days  on 
Octoser 31 - November 9, 1996. The  program  included 
the First (Experimental)  International  Olympiad  of 
Euro-Asian  Astronomical  Society,  the  acquaintance 
with the professional research programs, amateur  ob- 
servations, lectures, excursions to  the  largest  in 
Euroasia 6-meter  reflector,  site-seeing  excursions 
and recreations.

     The final competition  of the All-Russian  Olympiad 1996/97  took 
place near Moscow in town of Troitsk this spring (on April, 7-12).

                               Prof. A.V.Zasov  and  Dr. M.G.Gavrilov,
                                 Chairman  and  Scientific director
                                      of the Olympiad comission.
 
                       The exchange of experiences and making contacts
        with those involving in similar activities is highly desirable.