High School Student Identifies 1.5 Million Unidentified Space Objects Using NASA Data
Matteo Paz, a high school student from Pasadena, California, discovered approximately 1.5 million previously unidentified space objects by analyzing archival data from NASA's NEOWISE mission. Participating in the Planet Finder Academy in 2022 under Caltech scientist Davy Kirkpatrick, Paz developed a machine-learning system to detect subtle changes in brightness across billions of measurements. His automated approach enabled analysis of the entire dataset, leading to findings later published in The Astronomical Journal and earning him a $250,000 award.
First-hand measurement across 3 sources
We measured how 3 outlets covered this story. Coverage leans balanced overall (Left 0%, Centre 100%, Right 0%). Overall sentiment is positive (82/100). Lens Score 29/100.
Outlets measured: firstpost, ndtv, indiatoday. See how each one headlined and framed the same story in the source comparison below.
AI Analysis
All 3 outlets scored close to centre on political lean. The real divergence here is in emphasis, not lean — compare the headlines below to see how each outlet chose to frame the same facts.
Sentiment was consistent across outlets (80–85/100), indicating broadly factual reporting rather than editorialising.
Coverage timeline
indiatoday broke this story on 5 Feb, 08:24 am. Other outlets followed.