Noida Student Discovers Asteroid 6k2749 Earns Recognition from NASA with Opportunity to Name It

Daksh Malik, a 14-year-old from Noida, discovers an asteroid and gets a chance to name it after NASA's verification. 405e3i

Written by Gadgets 360 Staff | Updated: 29 January 2025 17:00 IST

Noida Student Discovers Asteroid, Earns Recognition from NASA with Opportunity to Name It

Photo Credit: Daksh Malik/NASA/By special arrangement 2u6zs

Daksh Malik, 14, from Noida, identifies an asteroid via NASA's International Asteroid Discovery Project

Highlights

Daksh Malik discovers asteroid "2023 OG40" through NASA’s IADP
Discovery after a year and a half of observations in asteroid search
Daksh earns opportunity to name the asteroid after NASA verification

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A 14-year-old student from Noida, Daksh Malik, has achieved a rare feat by identifying an asteroid through NASA's International Asteroid Discovery Project (IADP). This discovery has earned him the opportunity to propose a name for the asteroid after its verification by solar system.

Participation in NASA's Discovery Programme 2cw5l

According to IASC) allowed him to analyse datasets from NASA. This initiative, which engages thousands of students worldwide, encourages participants to track potential celestial objects. With the aid of specialised software, Daksh and his schoolmates identified preliminary asteroid candidates, one of which was confirmed as a provisional asteroid in the main belt between Mars and Jupiter.

The Journey to the Discovery 6xi6m

Reports indicate that Malik spent over a year observing datasets and tracking moving objects to identify asteroids. The software used in this programme required precision in identifying objects with specific brightness levels and movement patterns. Speaking to The Print, he described the experience as akin to working at NASA. His school's resources, including a well-equipped observatory, were instrumental in his success, providing ample opportunities for practical learning.

Karnal Students Get NASA Nod for Asteroid Discovery

Plans for Naming the Asteroid 5v414w

Once verified, the asteroid, currently named “2023 OG40,” will be permanently named by Malik. Joking about potential names, he suggested options like “Destroyer of the World” or “Countdown.” Despite this achievement, Malik has expressed a stronger interest in pursuing a career in law rather than astronomy, according to his mother, Sappna Kapur.

The IADP has seen significant participation, but few students achieve a discovery of this magnitude. Malik's achievement highlights the impact of hands-on education and opportunities for young learners in scientific research.

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