Revolutionizing Astronomy from the Classroom

In an astonishing feat, a high school student from Caltech has uncovered 1.5 million previously unknown celestial bodies, igniting excitement for future NASA missions. Matteo (Matthew) Paz, armed with an innovative AI algorithm, has published his findings in The Astronomical Journal, opening a treasure trove of possibilities for astronomers and astrophysicists alike.

From Stargazing to Star Discoveries

Paz's fascination with the cosmos ignited at a young age, thanks to his mother who took him to public Stargazing Lectures at Caltech. This summer, he immersed himself in the Caltech Planet Finder Academy, studying under the guidance of Professor Andrew Howard.

Mentorship that Inspires

Under the mentorship of Davy Kirkpatrick, a senior scientist at IPAC, Paz found not just guidance but a collaborative spirit. 'I'm so lucky to have met Davy,' says Paz, crediting his mentor for fostering his scientific growth and encouraging his ambitious goals.

Tapping into NEOWISE's Untapped Potential

Kirkpatrick sought to unlock insights from NEOWISE, a retired NASA telescope that scanned the sky for a decade, capturing data on asteroids while also detecting cosmic phenomena like quasars and exploding stars. Despite its invaluable observations, much of the data remained unprocessed, waiting for a brilliant mind like Paz's to sift through.

AI to the Rescue!

Equipped with a strong background in AI from his studies, Paz devised a machine-learning technique that could analyze this extensive dataset far more efficiently than traditional methods. With advanced math skills honed in Pasadena's Math Academy, he began to create a model that surprisingly yielded promising results.

Collaborative Genius

Kirkpatrick's network of expert astronomers further enriched Paz's understanding of machine-learning techniques. Their collaboration revealed a gradual detection rhythm of NEOWISE that missed many rapidly fluctuating or slowly changing celestial objects.

A Cosmic Catalog in the Making

As summer came to an end, Paz's efforts bore fruit. He refined his AI model to analyze NEOWISE's data, ultimately flagging 1.5 million potential new objects in the universe. A complete catalog detailing these variable bright objects is set to be published in 2025.

Beyond Astronomy

Paz believes his AI model holds potential across various fields, from stock market analysis to environmental monitoring, where temporal data analysis is crucial. 'The model can be adapted for any studies that involve data in a time series,' he shares.

A New Chapter at Caltech

While balancing high school, Paz now works at Caltech as a researcher at IPAC, a testament to his exceptional talents and commitment to expanding our understanding of the cosmos. His story inspires a new generation of aspiring scientists waiting to make their mark!