A Star Party contest for high school students will highlight the government's celebration of National Astronomy Week on Feb. 17 to 21, state astronomers said.

PAGASA acting administrator Vicente Malano said the Star Party contest is open to 12 public and private high schools and will be held Feb. 21 at PAGASA in Diliman, Quezon City.

"The contest will be open to high school students, both public and private from Metro Manila. The maximum number of contestants is six students who should be members of their school Science Club and one Science adviser," Malano said.

He said the winner will take home P20,000 while the runner-up will get P15,000. The third placer gets P10,000 while the nine others will get consolation prizes of P2,000 each.

PAGASA said National Astronomy Week is observed every third week of February.

"This year, the occasion will be celebrated on 17-21 February 2014 with the theme 'Building Bonds: Connecting People through Astronomy,'" Malano said.

PAGASA is mandated by Presidential Proclamation No. 130 to head the annual celebration.

Other activities lined up for National Astronomy Week include:

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PAGASA readies activities for Astronomy Week on Feb. 17-21