While many high schoolers spent their summers hanging out or riding bikes, Matteo Paz took a different path. He created a system that analyzed NASA data and discovered 1.5 million previously unknown objects in space, according to Futura.
Paz’s journey began in 2022 at the Caltech Planet Finder Academy. Guided by mentor Davy Kirkpatrick, he explored an extensive archive from NASA’s NEOWISE satellite, which was designed to track near-Earth asteroids. However, its infrared technology also revealed heat signals from distant objects.
Kirkpatrick initially wanted to analyze a small section of the data to find variable stars. But Paz proposed a more ambitious goal: to analyze the entire dataset using his programming skills and a unique AI approach. Instead of discouraging him, Kirkpatrick encouraged his initiative.
Paz didn’t just feed data into ChatGPT; he partnered with Caltech astronomers to create his algorithm. This algorithm, called VARnet, broke down over 200 billion data points into manageable parts and searched for specific infrared signatures. These signatures can indicate the presence of distant celestial bodies like stars, quasars, and black holes. His findings were significant enough that he published a paper in The Astronomical Journal.
Experts in astronomy are already applying Paz’s research to understand binary star systems better. He noted that while his tool is aimed at astronomy, its applications could extend to fields like finance and environmental monitoring. The versatility of AI in various sectors has sparked much interest, especially among younger innovators. Around 60% of Gen Z believes that technology can solve major global issues, according to a recent survey by the McKinsey Institute.
Recognizing his groundbreaking work, Paz received the prestigious Regeneron Science Talent Search, which comes with a $250,000 prize for his future education. Unlike the typical summer activities, Paz is doing real-world science that many didn’t think would be possible for a high school student.
