Siddharth Patel, a 12-year-old from London, Ontario, is making waves in the world of astronomy. He recently spotted two potential asteroids, an impressive feat for someone so young. This discovery came during his involvement in a citizen science initiative with NASA.
The asteroids, named 2024 RX69 and 2024 RH39, are now part of the Minor Planet Center’s catalog. This organization tracks various space objects, providing important information about our solar system.
Siddharth’s journey into astronomy began early. He started using a telescope at the age of five, supported by parents who fostered his passion despite having no background in space science. “Space wasn’t really covered in school,” he explained. “I focus on my interests after school.”
While it can take years to confirm the orbits of newly found asteroids, Siddharth has bigger dreams. He aims to become an astronaut. To achieve this, he joined the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, where he is learning to fly. He looks up to renowned Canadian astronauts like Jeremy Hansen and Chris Hadfield, who have both made significant contributions to space exploration.
Siddharth discovered these asteroids through the International Astronomical Search Collaboration. This program uses data from advanced facilities like Hawaii’s Pan-STARRS and Arizona’s Catalina Sky Survey. They don’t just look for asteroids; they also track near-Earth objects and those beyond Neptune.
Interestingly, space exploration and amateur astronomy are growing more popular, particularly among young people. Recent surveys indicate that interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields is increasing among youth. Programs like Siddharth’s make space exploration accessible, igniting curiosity about the universe.
Siddharth’s achievements don’t stop there. He recently won the People’s Choice Award in DarkSky International’s “Capture the Dark” photography contest for his stunning image of Comet C/2023 A3 alongside the Milky Way. “Photographing the stars ignites my sense of wonder,” he shared. His excitement for astronomy shows how even the youngest among us can inspire others to explore the mysteries of space.
As automated systems and citizen scientists work together, discoveries like Siddharth’s highlight a new era in astronomy, where anyone, regardless of age, can contribute to our understanding of the cosmos.
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