8-year-old Alagoas may become the world’s youngest asteroid hunter – 10/19-2021 – science

At the age of two, Nicole Oliveira Simio, of Alagoas, asked her mother for a star, but she was not just a toy star, but wanted the one she saw in the sky, the family recalls.

The universe’s fascination with the girl grew. At the age of four, to the astonishment of her parents, she wanted to exchange her birthday party for a telescope, which had been bought at sacrifice.

At the age of six, he asked to take an introductory course in astronomy at Ceaal (the Center for Astronomical Studies in Alagoas), a non-profit organization for young people and adults exclusively, but at his insistence, it was open to all ages.

Now, at the age of eight, Alagoas is awaiting evaluation by NASA, to officially receive the title of asteroid hunter. Nicole claims to have identified 23 new asteroids so far.

If this feat is confirmed, you will become the youngest person to discover something like this. However, the recognition process can take up to eight years to complete.

Romualdo Arthur Caldas, partner at Ceaal, a pathologist and amateur astronomer, says Nicole’s participation in the course has been highlighted. “At first it surprised us. But now we know very well that Nikulinha is very determined. Always very attentive to interpretations and telescopic observations.”

Since 2020, the young astronomer has also been involved in the Asteroid Hunting Program, a project by the US Space Agency and IASC (International Astronomical Research Collaboration) in partnership with the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

Asteroids are monitored through an image file from software provided by Iasc. After validating the results, the author of the results can name the asteroids that were found.

He says: “I am happy with the discoveries I have made because I have contributed to science in the world. I want to put the names of my parents and the Brazilian scientists [nos asteroides]’ says Nicole.

For her, interest in research is proportional to the desire to publish the topic. So he founded a science club directed to children (@nicolinhaekids, on Instagram) that it no youtube channel To meet scholars and share what he learned with his followers.

The club is coordinated by the mother, Zilma Semião, but all classes are taught by professionals and specialists in each area. Zelma says Nikulinha is accompanied by several scientists, such as astrophysicists Doília de Mello and Paulo Lim, astronomer Romualdo Arthur Caldas and paleontologist Marcelo Adorna Fernández.

Since January 2021, the family moved from Maceió to Fortaleza, where Nicole won a scholarship at Farias Brito private school, including astronomy lessons. Moving to another city required a radical transformation of family life.

The mother, a craftswoman, had to sell all the tools to help with the change. Little by little, she started her own studio again, creating astronomy-themed items. The father, Gian Carlo Lisi Simio, a systems analyst, reached an agreement to work remotely.

Nicole studies in the mornings, attends English courses and swimming lessons, but according to her mother she does not stop playing like any other child of her age. The rest of the time is devoted to studies in astronomy.

During the night, she also interacts with her followers on social networks, and with the support of the school where she teaches, she is back to give face-to-face lectures on astronomy, after nearly two years due to the pandemic.

Nicole is also a two-time champion of the Brazilian Astronomy and Navigation Olympiad and collects certificates for courses and lectures on the subject. She says her dream is to learn about NASA and to work so that all children have access to science, technology and astronomy. In the future, he also wants to specialize in aeronautical engineering, to build missiles.

“The universe has always inspired me, the stars when I started, and today they inspire me [astrônomas] Doilia de Mello and Rosalie Lopez and Les [ex-astronauta e atual ministro] Marcos Pontes,” sums up.

Like Nicole, other Brazilian girls stand out in astronomy. For example, 18-year-old student Laysa Peixoto Sena Lage discovered a new asteroid through a NASA campaign.

The discovery was acknowledged in August and the star LPS0003 was named according to its initials. In the future, the young woman will be able to choose another name for her.