Bhubaneswar: A group of citizen scientists from Odisha has earned international recognition with the provisional discovery of an asteroid, designated 2025 FK36, during an Asteroid Search Campaign. The campaign was conducted through the collaborative efforts of Dr. Kalam Science Club, Pathani Samanta Science Club, Odisha, and the International Astronomical Search Collaboration (IASC), with NASA as a partner. The team was led by Ms. Priyanka Behera, an eminent sociologist. Other members included Mr. Santosh Kumar Kar, a National Awardee teacher, and Mr. Niranjan Behera, a biological scientist. Despite coming from diverse academic and professional backgrounds, the team successfully collaborated to identify the provisional asteroid, demonstrating that scientific curiosity, dedication, and teamwork can transcend disciplinary boundaries. The achievement highlights the growing contribution of citizen scientists from Odisha to global astronomical research and serves as an inspiration for aspiring science enthusiasts across the country.
