Nigerian PhD Student Discovers 3 Asteroids in Global Citizen Science Program

Meet Chidozie Ezeakunne, a Nigerian PhD student in Physics with interests in Materials Science, Nanotechnology, and Computational Modeling at the Department of Physics, University of Central Florida, Orlando. He is currently a Graduate Research Assistant at Los Alamos National Laboratory. While his academic focus lies in cutting-edge materials research, Chidozie also pursues a compelling passion for asteroid hunting, an endeavor that has already led to scientific contributions of global significance.

Discovering an asteroid is a rare feat, even for professional astronomers. Yet, Chidozie, as a citizen scientist, has provisionally detected three asteroids, now listed in NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Small-Body Database.

From Earth to the Asteroid Belt: The Journey of a Citizen Scientist

Chidozie's journey began in 2021 when he joined the International Astronomical Search Collaboration (IASC), a global citizen science program affiliated with NASA and coordinated by Dr. Patrick Miller, a Professor of Mathematics and Astronomy at Hardin-Simmons University in Texas, USA. This initiative empowers students and amateur astronomers worldwide to contribute to planetary defense by analyzing real astronomical data to discover asteroids, comets, and near-Earth objects (NEOs). Participants receive access to high-quality telescope images, often from surveys like Pan-STARRS in Hawaii, and utilize professional software tools to detect moving objects.

During an IASC campaign in 2021, Chidozie, in collaboration with fellow Nigerian participant Akinfolarin Akinola, made his first provisional detection: asteroid 2021 OF15. He continued his involvement in subsequent years:

● Independently detecting asteroid 2022 SA192 in 2022.

● Collaborating with Liberian researcher Daniel Obajemu to detect asteroid 2023 VR18 in 2023.

Each discovery was later confirmed and is now listed in NASA’s JPL Small-Body Database, underscoring the scientific validity of his work. These discoveries are still under study, and if their orbits are confirmed over several years, Chidozie and his collaborators may earn the right to propose official names for their findings.

Top-down orbital path (shown in white) of asteroid 2022 SA192, one of the three asteroids detected by Chidozie Ezeakunne. Image sourced from NASA JPL’s Small-Body Database.

Certificate of Discovery

Below are the official certificates awarded to Chidozie Ezeakunne by the International Astronomical Search Collaboration (IASC) for his asteroid detections:

PACS e-Lab: Building Africa’s Place in Global Space Science

Chidozie’s achievements were significantly supported by his participation in the Pan-African Citizen Science e-Laboratory (PACS e-Lab). This nonprofit initiative is committed to democratizing access to astronomy, space science, and STEM education across the African continent.

PACS e-Lab serves as a regional partner of the IASC. Through this vital collaboration, African participants, including students, teachers, researchers, and lifelong learners, receive:

● Comprehensive training in asteroid detection techniques.

● Access to real astronomical data.

● Mentorship and peer collaboration opportunities.

● The unique chance to contribute directly to NASA’s planetary defense pipeline.

"We are democratizing access to space science," says the PACS e-Lab team. "Anyone with curiosity and a computer can contribute to real NASA research."

By guiding participants through real-world science activities like IASC asteroid search campaigns, PACS e-Lab is bridging the gap between curiosity and contribution, empowering ordinary citizens to partake in global scientific discovery, often for the first time in their lives. PACS e-Lab is open to all Nigerians and Africans, including students and educators, amateur astronomers and science outreach groups, and national space agencies and observatories.

Science With Purpose

Chidozie’s story powerfully illustrates that you don’t need to be a professional astronomer to make a meaningful impact in space science. While his formal research focuses on nanotechnology and computational materials, his passion for the cosmos has led him to help catalog minor planets orbiting between Mars and Jupiter, a significant contribution to the scientific community and a testament to how African talent is advancing global planetary defense efforts.

"Science is for everyone," Chidozie says. "I hope more Nigerians and Africans join this adventure." Moreover, Chidozie is not only a contributor but also a supporter, having generously donated to PACS e-Lab, helping expand access to astronomy for underserved communities across Africa. His actions demonstrate a deep commitment to giving back and uplifting others through science.

Final Thoughts

Citizen science is fundamentally changing how discoveries are made and who gets to make them. Through the combined efforts of international programs like IASC and grassroots organizations like PACS e-Lab, more people across Africa are stepping into roles once reserved for professional scientists.

Chidozie Ezeakunne’s asteroid detections are proof that passion, training, and opportunity can lead to discoveries that cross continents and orbits, literally.

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Source: Legit.ng