Kalam Asteroid Search Campaign
(February 05, 2024 to February 27, 2024)
Kalam Asteroid Search Campaign is a unique educational outreach campaign organized by Kalam Centre and the International Astronomical Search Collaboration (IASC), conducted by Dr. Patrick Miller of Hardin Simmons University, USA. Homi Lab provides young learners a special training to search asteroids in the Main Belt Asteroid through advanced data analysis and specially designed software.
Learners get access to real-time data from the ‘Pan Starrs’ (The Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System) Telescope, located in Hawaii, USA which uses a 1.8 m (60 inch) telescope to survey the sky to look for asteroids, comets, and Near-Earth Objects (NEO).
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The Campaign enables the learners to get exclusive access to astronomy images, which are otherwise not accessible till the postgraduate level, and they get training in advanced data analysis and software as well as interact with international scientists, all of which builds up to an invaluable real-time research experience. Through this campaign, learners make confirmed discoveries of Main Belt Asteroids and important observations that contribute to the NASA Near-Earth Object (NEO) Program at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (Pasadena, CA).
The Process
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Registration Begins - January 27, 2024
Participants can start registering for the campaign as per the given guidelines.
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Registration Ends - February 10, 2024
The last date for registration is February 10, 2024, 09:00 PM IST
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Selected Candidates - February 05, 2024
A list of selected participants based on their responses to the given form will be released.
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Training Premieres - February 06, 2024
Shortlisted participants shall be taken on a wonderful journey of asteroid hunting through our own online platform.
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Campaign Commences - February 06, 2024
The selected candidates will begin their journey as citizen scientists to analyze images from Pan-STARRS to make original observations of near-Earth objects and Main Belt asteroids which contributes to NASA's Near-Earth Object (NEO) Observations Program at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (Pasadena).
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Announcement of Discoveries
Learners will receive certificates from NASA for their preliminary discoveries of asteroids soon after the campaign. However, recognition for provisional discoveries can take up to one year, and for numbered discoveries, up to three or five years.
The Process
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Participants should have access to a proper internet connection and must be operating a computer/laptop.
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A total of 100 students will be selected globally to participate in the Asteroid Search Campaign.
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Participants must be available throughout the campaign from February 05 to 27, 2024.
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Participants of any nationality can apply.
