International Asteroid Search
The Asteroid Search Program is organized by the International Astronomical Search Collaboration partnering with NASA's citizen science project. SSERD has encouraged and guided students through the process of asteroid hunting.
Scientists
Next campaign dates: 04-10-2024
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Registration Fee: INR 500*
(* Registration Fee Includes access to training sessions for data analysis and a membership in a Slack group for ongoing support and doubt clarification.
Note: If you prefer not to use these services, there's no need to pay the registration fee.)
Become a citizen scientist!
The International Astronomical Search Collaboration (IASC) is a citizen science program which provides high quality astronomical data to citizen scientists around the world at no cost. They encourage students to make original astronomical discoveries and participate in hands-on astronomy.
The Asteroid Search Program has it’s branches all across the globe. The All India asteroid search campaign has been providing a platform for students to discover celestial bodies from over a decade.
About the program
The Asteroid Search Program is organized by the International Astronomical Search Collaboration partnering with NASA’s citizen science project.
SSERD has encouraged and guided students through the process of asteroid hunting.
Let's hunt some asteroids!
Step 1
Students are taken through a wonderful journey of asteroid hunting through our own online platform.
Original datasets from Pan-STARRS telescope, Hawaii are analysed by students, who are pre trained to analyse the datasets through practice data sets
The complete process is overwatched by a professional from IASC,All the necessary training will be given by Ms. Ilavenil, who is an astrophysicist.
Step 2
Participants are trained with the Astrometrica software which provides the ability to easily compare astromerical images for the purpose of moving object discovery.
Participants will have to differentiate between the true and the false signatures and analyze the data as not all moving objects are asteroids.
The participants analyze the data and when a participant discovers a moving object from the set of data, Eureka !!! They have successfully completed their preliminary discovery in the process of asteroid hunting.
Step 3
Once an asteroid is discovered by a participant by a preliminary discovery it is allotted a preliminary name. The next stage is the provisional discovery which gives the asteroid the provisional name. Finally the asteroid with the provisional name will receive an official numbering and will be eligible for naming and will be cataloged by International Astronomical Union. All the participants have received a certificate for their valuable contributions for the observation of near earth objects and main belt objects, certified by NASA, IASC and Pan Starrs observatory.
Step 4
With help and guidance from SSERD nearly 25 preliminary discoveries have been made and the Asteroid hunters are looking forward for more.
REgister Now
Register for the upcoming campaign and become a citizen scientist!
Fees: INR 500*
(*) Fee applicable for gaining access to live training sessions, support groups and a community channel. Participants who do not wish to be a part of this can still complete the campaign without any application fee
What Our Students Have to Say
* Cover image copyright Herve Cadiou