The highest occupied molecular orbital for \( Ne_2 \) is

Total electrons in \( Ne_2 \) = 20. Electronic configuration: \( \sigma_{1s}^2 \sigma^*_{1s}^2 \sigma_{2s}^2 \sigma^*_{2s}^2 \sigma_{2p}^2 \pi_{2p}^4 \pi^*_{2p}^4 \sigma^*_{2p}^2 \). Thus, the highest occupied molecular orbital is \( \sigma^*_{2p} \).