Noida teen gets NASA recognition for asteroid discovery

Why in the NEWS?

• Daksh Malik, a 14-year-old student from Noida, has achieved a major milestone in astronomy.

Key Points:

• Daksh has been recognized by NASA for the discovery of a new asteroid, which is currently labelled as '2023 OG40'.
• After verifying the discovery, Daksh will have the privilege of naming the asteroid, which will be officially finalized after a process of about four to five years.

What will you read next in this topic?

1. Daksh's interest in astronomy and journey
2. Participation in the International Asteroid Discovery Project (IADP)
3. The process of discovery
4. A unique opportunity
5. Importance of IADP
6. Role of NASA

Daksh's interest in astronomy and journey

• Daksh Malik has had a keen interest in astronomy since childhood.
• He has been fascinated by space. He used to watch documentaries on National Geographic about planets and the solar system.
• This fascination inspired him to take a new step in the field of astronomy.

Participation in the International Asteroid Discovery Project (IADP)

• Daksh and two of his school friends had been participating in the International Asteroid Discovery Project (IADP) for the past one and a half years.
• The project is a citizen science initiative, run by the International Astronomical Discovery Collaboration (IASC).
• The IASC, an organisation affiliated with NASA, invites people from across the world, including students, to discover asteroids.

The process of discovery

• Daksh described the process of discovery as a "fun exercise".
• In the process, he downloaded datasets from IASC and calibrated them using the Astronomica software.
• Next, he analysed the motion and light emissions of celestial objects, which are helpful in identifying asteroids.

A unique opportunity

• After Daksh receives this recognition from NASA, he will get the privilege of naming the asteroid he has discovered.
• However, it may take four to five years for its verification to be completed.
• In this long process, various scientists and astronomers will confirm the discovery, and then it will be officially named.
• Right now, Daksh is considering possible names for his asteroid.
• His ideas include dramatic and interesting names like "Destroyer of the World" and "Countdown".
• Daksh says that these names reflect his thoughts and he wants his naming to be such that it reflects astronomy and his unique journey of discovery.

Importance of IADP

• IADP (International Asteroid Discovery Program) is an international asteroid discovery program that provides students and researchers around the world with the opportunity to participate in the discovery of asteroids.
• The main objective of this program is to involve the general public, especially students, in the field of astronomy and space science so that they can further increase their interest in science.
• Every year more than 6,000 participants participate in IADP.
• This program is especially for those who are interested in astronomy and want to discover new celestial bodies by using their skills.
• However, most of the participants who take part in it are not able to successfully discover new asteroids, as it requires a lot of technical knowledge and practice.

Role of NASA

• NASA has launched several initiatives to encourage the interest of youth in the field of astronomy and space science and to make them participate in new ideas and discoveries.
• These initiatives aim to involve students and the general public in the study of space so that they are able to understand the mysteries of space and play their active role in science.

Objectives and Initiatives of NASA

• One of the major initiatives of NASA, such as IADP (International Asteroid Discovery Program), gives students and common citizens an opportunity to contribute in the field of astronomy.
• Through this program, NASA inspires new researchers and scientists related to astronomy and space science.
• NASA ensures that students get the opportunity to make significant contributions to astronomy using modern techniques and equipment.
• NASA has launched this initiative so that people, especially students, can promote their interest in astronomy and make new discoveries in science.
• It not only excites students about astronomy but also gives them an opportunity to understand how they can contribute to the field of science.

Opportunities for Students

• NASA programs provide students with an opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of the discovery of new celestial bodies, data analysis, and scientific methods.
• This not only helps students to realize their scientific potential but also gives them an opportunity to present new ideas and perspectives.
• Moreover, through these initiatives, students can share their discoveries with the scientific community, which gives them recognition for their work worldwide. 
• Associating with NASA provides students with a strong platform to get their discoveries recognized internationally and to pursue their research work.
• These NASA programs provide students with an opportunity to do research from a scientific perspective and contribute to science.
• Moreover, it helps them to develop scientific thinking and attitude, which will enable them to give new ideas and solutions in the field of space and astronomy in the future.