An exciting discovery in the cosmic world has landed a 14-year-old student from India center stage. Shiv Nadar School student Daksh Malik, the first winner, discovers an asteroid that will eventually bear his chosen name.
Designated currently as '2023 OG40, ' the object is one that NASA found via its citizen science initiative through Malik. "I felt like I was working at NASA," said the young astronomer who finds himself contemplating such potential names for his cosmic discovery as 'Destroyer of the World' or 'Countdown,' Malik told to The Print.
This discovery wasn't just luck, but result of dedicated efforts. Malik and two classmates had devoted themselves to asteroid hunting through the International Asteroid Discovery Project for 18 months. The three were led into the program when their school's astronomy club linked them with the International Astronomical Search Collaboration, which is affiliated with NASA.
This process was diligent and systematic. With the aid of special Astronomica software, Malik's team analysed NASA datasets for telltale signs of asteroids. They monitored object movements and light emissions applying strict criteria as precise to identify potential asteroid candidates.
This achievement places Malik in an elite group – he's only the sixth Indian student to find a discovery through the program. The IADP run by STEM & Space in collaboration with IASC, brings in more than 6,000 participants worldwide every year, and discoveries that are successful are a rarity.
IASC website stated that Daksh is the sixth student from India to discover a named asteroid.
NASA will run its initial tests and verifications over the next 4-5 years before letting Malik officially name the asteroid.
