Kenya Space Agency celebrates historic asteroid discovery by staff member
Date: 2024-12-14
The Kenya Space Agency (KSA) has achieved a groundbreaking milestone with the confirmation of the discovery of Asteroid 2023 TQ159 by one of its staff members, Mr. Harold S., as part of the Outreach and Education Students Network initiative.
The
journey to this historic discovery began a year ago when Mr. Safary’s team
participated in an asteroid search project organized by the International
Astronomical Search Collaboration (IASC). The team was provided with
observational data to analyze using the Astrometrica program, a specialized
software designed for tracking celestial objects. Mr. Safary meticulously
examined the data and identified a moving object, which he reported to the
Minor Planet Center for verification.
On December 10, 2024, IASC officially confirmed the discovery as a verified asteroid. Now cataloged as Asteroid 2023 TQ159, this celestial body has been added to the Minor Planet Center database at Harvard, where it can be tracked using its designated ID. This achievement marks a significant milestone for Kenya, as it is the first asteroid discovered by the Kenya Space Agency's Education and Outreach Students Network and only the second to be identified by a Kenyan.
KSA
expressed its excitement over this development, highlighting how this discovery
reflects the agency's dedication to advancing space science education and
research in Kenya. The discovery of Asteroid 2023 TQ159 not only positions
Kenya as an emerging player in global space research but also inspires future
generations to explore the endless possibilities of astronomy and space
science.
By:
Nana Appiah Acquaye
