New Way You Can Discover Asteroids (science.nasa.gov)

NASA’s International Astronomical Search Collaboration (IASC) has launched an innovative online project via the Zooniverse platform that enables anyone to help identify new asteroids. Participants will view images from the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System (Pan-STARRS) and assess candidate objects detected by a machine learning algorithm that identifies moving celestial bodies. If users correctly identify asteroids, their discoveries will be reported to the Minor Planet Center, contributing to the global database of asteroid observations. This initiative is significant for the AI and machine learning community as it not only democratizes the search for asteroids but also demonstrates the practical application of ML in processing astronomical data. Since its inception in 2006, IASC has engaged over 70,000 citizen scientists worldwide, leading to the discovery of more than 19,000 previously unreported asteroids, showcasing the power of collective human efforts augmented by machine learning. Furthermore, the program offers educational benefits, fostering interest in physics and space science through hands-on experience, thus inspiring the next generation of scientists. To join the search, visit the Zooniverse platform or register as a team to engage in monthly asteroid hunts.