Teen prodigy unveils 1.5 million cosmic wonders with AI
Matteo Paz, a high school student from Pasadena, California, discovered 1.5 million previously unknown cosmic objects using an artificial intelligence algorithm. His work earned him a substantial prize.
Matteo Paz, a high school student in Pasadena, surprised the world of astronomy by discovering 1.5 million previously unknown cosmic objects. He used an artificial intelligence algorithm he developed during a summer research program at Caltech. His achievement earned him a $250,000 (347,000 CAD) prize in the prestigious Regeneron Science Talent Search competition.
From summer internship to breakthrough discovery
What began as a summer research program evolved into a groundbreaking scientific contribution, earning him a significant scientific award and publication as the first author. This discovery enhanced the scientific potential of NASA's missions.
His work, described in an article in "The Astronomical Journal", presents the AI algorithm he developed to analyze archival data from NASA's decommissioned space telescope. This enabled the identification of new cosmic objects that can now be studied by other astronomers. Matteo Paz noted that the model he developed has potential applications beyond astronomy, including the analysis of time-series data in various other disciplines. The algorithm can also be used by other astronomers and astrophysicists to study similar data.
For this groundbreaking research, Paz, currently a senior at Pasadena High School, won first place and a $250,000 (347,000 CAD) prize in the prestigious Regeneron Science Talent Search 2025 competition, organized by the Society for Science, a non-profit organization that promotes science and its role in human development. While working on the project, Paz collaborated with mentor Davy Kirkpatrick and other astronomers from Caltech, which allowed him to develop skills and gain valuable experience.
Will the high school student's discovery accelerate new findings?
Paz's discovery has significant implications for the future of space research. His algorithm enables the efficient processing of large amounts of data, which may accelerate discoveries in the field of astronomy. "The extent to which we can tap into the local community of really smart young people, mentor them, and make sure they don’t forget and lose their potential, the better off we are," Kirkpatrick said, emphasising the importance of mentoring in the development of young talent.
Even though he is still a high school student, Paz is already working at Caltech as an IPAC employee, where he analyzes data from NASA and NSF-supported space missions. His work not only contributed to the advancement of science but also highlighted the importance of supporting young talents in their scientific careers.
