Astronomy has always been a field filled with wonder, but every once in a while, a discovery comes along that changes the game entirely. That’s exactly what happened when a high school student from Pasadena, California stunned the scientific community with one of the most remarkable astronomical findings in recent years.
Meet Matteo Paz, a teenager whose passion for space and cutting-edge technology led him to uncover 1.5 million previously undetected space objects a discovery that has left NASA and leading scientists in awe.
The Student Who Made NASA Speechless
Paz made his discovery while participating in the Planet Finder Academy at Caltech, working under the guidance of astrophysicist Davy Kirkpatrick. Using archived data from NASA’s retired NEOWISE space telescope, he set out to explore the vast catalog of infrared observations that had been collected over the years.
What makes this discovery even more incredible is the fact that Paz accomplished it in just six weeks. Instead of relying on traditional methods, he developed his own machine learning model to sift through an enormous dataset of more than 200 billion infrared observations.
The algorithm he built was able to detect subtle variations in light that human researchers had overlooked for years. These faint signals revealed the presence of binary stars, quasars, and even supernovas celestial objects that had essentially been hiding in plain sight.
Published in a Leading Journal
Scientific discoveries of this scale rarely go unnoticed, and Paz’s findings were no exception. His research was peer-reviewed and officially published in The Astronomical Journal, a respected scientific publication. The validation of his work not only highlights the reliability of his methods but also proves how artificial intelligence is becoming an essential tool in modern astronomy.
Why This Discovery Matters
The scale of Paz’s achievement goes far beyond the numbers. Cataloging 1.5 million new space objects is an extraordinary feat in itself, but the implications are even greater. His detailed infrared mapping has created a treasure trove of data that will guide astronomers for years to come.
Next-generation telescopes such as the James Webb Space Telescope can now use this catalog to study these objects in greater detail, potentially leading to new insights about the formation of stars, galaxies, and the mysteries of the universe.
For many scientists, this work provides a bridge between past and future transforming old, archived data into fresh opportunities for exploration.
The Role of AI in Space Exploration
Paz’s achievement also sparks an important conversation about the role of artificial intelligence in science. While some experts caution against placing too much trust in machine learning, this breakthrough proves that AI can detect patterns and signals beyond the limits of human capability.
By combining human curiosity with the power of algorithms, astronomy may be entering a new era where discoveries that once required decades of manual work can now be uncovered in a matter of weeks.
A Student’s Journey to Caltech
Perhaps the most inspiring part of this story is how it all began. Paz started out as a student with a love for space and technology. Through the Planet Finder Academy, he gained access to NASA’s vast archives, developed his own algorithm, and went on to achieve a discovery of historic proportions.
His success has already opened new doors. Paz now works as a research assistant at Caltech’s IPAC facility, continuing his mission to push the boundaries of what we know about the universe. His journey is proof that the next groundbreaking discoveries may not always come from seasoned scientists, but from students with fresh perspectives and the courage to think differently.
A New Era for Astronomy
The story of Matteo Paz is more than just a scientific milestone it’s a reminder of what’s possible when innovation, curiosity, and technology come together. In just six weeks, a teenager uncovered 1.5 million space objects, reshaping how scientists view archived data and inspiring future astronomers to take bold new approaches.
As researchers prepare to dive deeper into the discoveries made possible by his work, one thing is certain: the universe still holds countless secrets, and sometimes, it takes a fresh pair of eyes to find them.
Source: Laura M. (2025, September 15). The U.S. high school student who discovers 1.5 million invisible space objects and leaves NASA speechless with his historic finding. Science.