( A Khagolshala, Image courtesy: SPACE Foundation)
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New Delhi : Eight asteroids detected by sixteen students of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNV) , under the Khagolshala Asteroid Search Campaign 2021, were conferred the “Provisional Status” by the International Astronomical Search Collaboration. Khagolshala Asteroid Search Campaign (KASC) trains students of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas to detect asteroids. The campaign is an initiative of the Office of Principal Scientific Adviser, Government of India, and SPACE Foundation.
The International Astronomical Search Collaboration (IASC) housed at the Hardin-Simmons University sent their wishes confirming the provisional discoveries. While it will be years before the asteroids are documented and the discoverer can name them, the successful detection and a grant of the provisional status to eight asteroids is a huge feat for the young students. The entire process also brings multiple opportunities for students to interact with space scientists, astronomers, and astronauts, according to a PIB release.
SPACE Foundation was established in 2001, to popularise science and inculcate scientific temperament among the masses especially students in India. SPACE is working to create citizen scientists through various programmes on science and astronomy education, and innovation in India. These programmes have the larger goal of fostering scientific temperament in society, especially among the youth.
About the Khagolshala Asteroids Search Campaign (KASC): Khagolshala Asteroids Search Campaign (KASC)is the India chapter of an international student research programme that has got students involved in the search for asteroids. High-quality astronomical data sets are distributed to students for analysis and identification of asteroids.
Students analyse the data using software which then leads to potential discoveries. These observations feed into the Near-Earth Object (NEO) data being compiled by NASA and the Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL). Space India has established Khagolshala Astronomy and Space Education Labs (ASELs) across 20 Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas to date.
Space India is working with a vision to get the younger generation in the country engrossed in astronomy and space sciences; application, exploration, innovation, and research in these areas. The team at Space India works by engaging students through experimentation, observation, and analysis of the universe.