A naukri.com initiative
Insider
1M
305
Image Credit: Insider
An 18-year-old won $250,000 for discovering over a million objects in space. Some could help unravel one of the universe's biggest mysteries
- Matteo Paz, an 18-year-old high school student from Pasadena, won $250,000 for discovering 1.5 million new space objects using an AI algorithm he built to sift through NASA data.
- Paz's discoveries include variable objects like supernovae and supermassive black holes, which could offer key insights into mysteries of the universe, such as the rate of expansion from the Big Bang.
- His work was recognized in the Regeneron Science Talent Search, where he was awarded first place among nearly 2,500 participants.
- Using the NASA NEOWISE space telescope data, Paz's AI algorithm identified a large number of variable space objects, some of which had never been cataloged before.
- Paz's catalog, named VarWISE, is being utilized by an infrared research group at Caltech to study dual-star systems and distant alien planets.
- By dividing the vast amount of data into smaller parts, Paz's algorithm successfully identified 1.5 million new space objects, contributing to astronomical research.
- The catalog is expected to be submitted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal, showcasing Paz's significant contributions to the field of astrophysics.
- Paz's ambition extends to using his discoveries to study the expansion rate of the universe from the Big Bang, potentially shedding light on fundamental cosmological mysteries.
- Apart from his scientific achievements, Paz also showed resilience during the LA fires, gaining a new perspective and considering applications of his research to benefit Earth monitoring.
- His dedication, talent, and groundbreaking work have positioned Paz as a promising young scientist with the potential to make significant contributions to astrophysics and cosmology.
Read Full Article
18 Likes
For uninterrupted reading, download the app