Muscat – In a landmark achievement for Oman’s scientific community, Khalfan bin Hamad al Malki, a chemistry teacher, has become the first member of Oman Society of Astronomy and Space (OSAS) to make a preliminary detection of a near-Earth object.

The asteroid has been officially recorded by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Malki now has the rare privilege of naming it within a week. He is considering either a family name or a tribute to Oman.

Temporarily designated by NASA as P226gRJ , the asteroid marks the first such detection by an Omani citizen involved in the International Astronomical Search Collaboration (IASC) project.

Malki made the discovery on February 5 after analysing time-lapse images of the sky distributed by IASC, a global initiative that enables citizen scientists to assist in detection of near-Earth objects.

Asteroids like P226gRJ are remnants from the early formation of the solar system, typically found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. While most remain in stable orbits far from Earth, those that venture closer, particularly between Earth and the Moon, are monitored closely as potential threats.

Global space agencies, including NASA, increasingly rely on contributions from citizen scientists to help detect these objects. Once identified, experts assess factors such as size, speed, trajectory and potential risk.

Malki’s discovery highlights both Oman’s growing role in global space research and the importance of collaborative efforts in expanding man’s understanding of the cosmos.

“This discovery has brought me immense happiness,” Malki said. “I did not expect to find an asteroid and pinpoint its coordinates. I am grateful for this opportunity and thank Abdul Wahab al Busaidi and Ghaida al Jabri for their support in this project. God willing, discoveries will continue with the help of OSAS.”

Busaidi, a board member of OSAS, called the discovery a significant milestone. “This achievement encourages greater citizen participation in space research. With more eyes on the sky, the world continues to deepen its understanding of the universe.”

Malki’s discovery not only marks a personal triumph but also reflects the increasing contributions of Middle Eastern researchers to global space exploration efforts.