In the depths of space, a young mind from Noida has left an indelible mark on the universe. Meet Daksh Malik, a Grade 9 student at Shiv Nadar School, whose passion for the cosmos led him to a discovery that even NASA couldn’t ignore. His pursuit of the unknown culminated in the identification of an asteroid, now officially recognized as ‘2023 OG40’, a feat that has earned him the privilege of naming it.
Daksh called this moment “a dream come true.” But dreams, as we know, are not merely granted, they are chased. His journey, filled with astronomical calculations and dedication, is nothing short of inspiring. “This journey has inspired me to reach for the stars" he said elated, expressing gratitude to his school for nurturing his ambitions.

Beyond the Classroom: The Making of an Astronomical Prodigy
Daksh’s achievement wasn’t a stroke of luck, it was the outcome of 1.5 years of dedication to asteroid hunting. His participation in The International Asteroid Discovery Project, a collaboration between the International Astronomy Search Collaboration (IASC), Pan-STARRS, and NASA’s Citizen Science Project paved the way for his triumph. Under the mentorship of Dr. Patrick Miller from Hardin Simmons University, he gained access to high-quality astronomical data, including real-time images from Hawaii’s Pan-STARRS telescope. Balancing academics with a cosmic quest was no easy feat but Daksh found a way to juggle both worlds. The bigger challenge, however, was mastering Astrometric, the software used to detect moving celestial bodies. “It’s easy to learn but hard to master,” he admitted, citing the complexities of light levels, movement, and object verification.
One day, while taking a break after returning from a competition in the US, an unexpected email arrived. It was from the IASC. His mother’s scream of joy confirmed it. Daksh had made a provisional discovery. “It was incredible,” he recalled, as the realization set in: 

He had uncovered something that had been floating in the cosmic abyss, waiting to be found, Somehow the universe rewarded the persistent.

A Starry Signature: The Honor of Naming an Asteroid
With NASA confirming his discovery as a ‘Provisional Discovery of a Main Belt Asteroid’, Daksh now holds a unique honor to name it. His thought process behind the name reflects his deep understanding of cosmic history. “One name in my mind is something like ‘Destroyer of the World’ or ‘Countdown,’” he mused. Asteroids, after all, have shaped the fate of planets one wiped out the dinosaurs, and another might have erased life from Mars, contemplating the responsibility of naming a celestial body that could one day be a historical landmark in space exploration.
Daksh’s fascination with the universe began early, fueled by documentaries. When his school’s STEM and Space head, Vinita Sharad Ma’am, introduced the asteroid detection program, he jumped at the opportunity to work with the same tools used by NASA scientists. He detailed the process: analyzing telescope images with Astrometric, tracking linear movement, cross-referencing with planetary indices, and finally submitting findings for global verification.
His achievement is extraordinary not only because of the rarity of such discoveries, but because out of 6,500 participants from over 80 countries, only a handful ever detect an asteroid. Now, 2023 OG40 will be cataloged in the global records of the International Astronomical Union in Paris. But for Daksh, this is only the beginning. “If you’re passionate about something, go for it. Keep learning, keep pushing yourself you never know what you might discover,” he said, his eyes set on future explorations.
As the universe expands, so do its explorers and this young astronomer is just getting started. Even sky is not the limit for him.