17/02/2022

Five-year-old Brazilian boy is the youngest to discover an asteroid.

Fifteen new asteroids have been discovered by a Brazilian and recognized by the American Space Agency (NASA). This is already impressive, but even more surprising considering it's the achievement of a young astronomer. Miro Latansio Tsai, from São Paulo, just five years old, is the youngest person to find new celestial bodies, confirmed by the agency. Passionate about science and astronomy since he was two, the boy is yet to begin his primary school studies.

During the pandemic, the parents learned about the Asteroid Hunt project, promoted by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), and enrolled their son. The project allows amateur astronomers, students from institutions, and members of science clubs to learn more about the subject and make discoveries in the skies, as is the case with Miro. The boy demonstrated ease in using the program used to identify asteroids and made the discoveries between October and November of last year.

The achievement led to his invitation to the 18th National Science and Technology Week, where he received a certificate of merit from the MCTI (Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation), the International Astronomical Search Collaboration (IASC), and NASA. “I was very proud when I won the medals. I love hunting asteroids to protect the planet. What if a meteor hits Earth and blows everything up? Just like what happened to the dinosaurs, it could end the human era,” Miro said in an interview with the newspaper O Globo .

The Asteroid Hunter project has discovered another young talent. Eight-year-old Nicole Oliveira now holds the title of the second youngest person in the world to observe previously unseen asteroids. The girl from Alagoas received the title of amateur astronomer and was awarded for finding 23 celestial bodies. Her story led the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI) to change the age range of participants in the project, opening it up to more children who wish to follow the same path.

Now, these little prodigies have created virtual clubs to teach people how to search for asteroids. The boy has an Instagram profile and a WhatsApp group called "Miro's Little Club." Nicole also has her own virtual children's club, as well as YouTube and Instagram channels .

Source: O Globo Newspaper