In London, Ontario, a 12-year-old named Siddharth Patel has captured attention by identifying two possible new asteroids—an impressive feat for someone so young. The budding astronomer made these discoveries last September while participating in a global citizen science initiative partnered with NASA. His observations could eventually lead to the official recognition of two previously uncharted celestial bodies.
Although the discoveries are currently tentative and require years of follow-up to confirm their orbital paths, Siddharth may soon be recognized as one of Canada’s youngest asteroid finders. The verification process may take up to ten years, yet his success is inspiring others invested in youth engagement with science.
Exploring the Cosmos from His Own Home
Siddharth's passion for astronomy began at the age of five when, encouraged by his parents despite their non-scientific background, he started using a telescope to observe the night sky.
“Space was not really taught in schools,” he told the Toronto Star. “I really started doing things about space after I came back from school, because school is the academic time. And after that is the time when I pursue my interests and dreams.”
The young astronomer’s asteroid discoveries came through the International Astronomical Search Collaboration (IASC), a worldwide initiative that lets students analyze sky survey data to find unrecognized objects in space. Siddharth reviewed images collected by two major observatories—the Pan-STARRS telescope in Hawaii and the Catalina Sky Survey in Arizona. These newly spotted asteroids orbit within the main asteroid belt, situated between Mars and Jupiter.
Following Canadian Astronauts’ Footsteps
Aspiring to become an astronaut, Siddharth is actively preparing for a career in aerospace. He recently enrolled in the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, a youth organization offering flight basics and leadership training. This path mirrors that of prominent Canadian astronauts such as Jeremy Hansen, slated for NASA’s Artemis 2 lunar mission, and Chris Hadfield, known for commanding the International Space Station.
Siddharth’s expanding space interests demonstrate a strong personal passion. By contributing to the IASC’s efforts, he becomes part of a worldwide network of amateur astronomers enhancing our knowledge of the solar system through steady, detailed observations.
Emerging Space Photographer Gains Acclaim
Beyond tracking asteroids, Siddharth has earned recognition for his astrophotography. One of his notable photos captures Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) framed against the Milky Way, which won the People’s Choice Award in DarkSky International’s 2025 Capture the Dark photography contest.
“I love taking photos through my telescopes,” he told the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. “When I go to somewhere dark, or someplace that has lots of stars, it really ignites my sense of wonder. I’ve learned how mysterious space really is.”
While Siddharth’s asteroid findings await official confirmation, they highlight how citizen science efforts like the IASC empower young explorers to make significant scientific contributions. NASA explains that these projects utilize cutting-edge telescope data to discover everything from distant trans-Neptunian objects to potentially dangerous near-Earth asteroids.
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- Astronomy
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