Nicole Oliviera, a seven-year-old Brazilian girl who found seven asteroids, has been named the world’s youngest astronomer. She participated in the ‘Asteroid Hunt’ Citizen Science Programme, run by the International Astronomical Search Collaboration which includes NASA. Nicole’s fascination with space and astronomy began when she was just two years old, when she asked her mother for a star and got a toy star instead. Despite her young age, Nicole presents lectures in schools in her hometown. In June 2021, she was invited by the Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation to deliver a lecture at the 1″ International Seminar on Astronomy and Aeronautics. Nicole has her own YouTube channel where she talks about asteroids and space. She invites eminent researchers and professors in this field to share their knowledge. The young stargazer aspires to become an aerospace engineer and build rockets to take astronauts on space missions.
She made do with a toy star at the time, but it wasn’t until later that she discovered what her kid really needed.
Oliveira was recently asked to speak at the Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation’s 1st International Seminar on Astronomy and Aeronautics.
Oliveira is used to presenting lectures in schools in her hometown of Maceió, despite her age.
They invited her after learning that Oliveria is the youngest member of the Alagoas Astronomical Studies Center, Centro de Estudos Astronômico de Alagoas (CEAAL).
Picture Credit : Google
