Kenya has achieved another major milestone in space science with the discovery of a second asteroid by Kenyan astrophysicist Harold Safary. This remarkable achievement has placed Kenya firmly on the map of global astronomical research.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Kenya Space Agency (KSA) confirmed that the Minor Planet Center (MPC), in collaboration with the Pan-African Citizen Science e-Laboratory (PAS E-LAB) and the International Astronomical Search Collaboration (IASC), which is partnered with NASA, has officially verified the discovery of Asteroid 2024 JJ63.
Harold Safary, who works at the Kenya Space Agency, made this discovery in 2024, marking his second confirmed asteroid find. This follows his earlier success with Asteroid 2023 TQ159, which was also confirmed by IASC.
Both discoveries have been catalogued in the MPC database, hosted by Harvard University, allowing scientists around the world to track the asteroids.
The process behind these discoveries involved Safary’s participation in an international asteroid search program, where astronomers analyze observational data collected globally.
Using specialized software called Astrometrica, Safary carefully analyzed the data, identified the moving asteroid, and compiled a detailed report. This report was then submitted to IASC for verification.
The successful confirmation of both asteroids highlights not only Safary’s skill and dedication but also Kenya’s growing role in the field of space science.
The KSA emphasized that these discoveries are an example of the importance of scientific training, citizen science, and international collaboration in advancing space research.
With this latest achievement, Harold Safary’s work continues to raise Kenya’s profile in the global scientific community, proving that the country is making significant contributions to the exploration and study of space.
