Brazilian Physics Student Makes Stellar Discovery: Classifies 1,024 Galaxies in 5 Days

Brazilian Student Classifies 1,024 Galaxies in Five Days Belo Horizonte, Brazil – Layssa Victória Barbalho, a physics student at the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), recently made headlines after classifying an impressive 1,024 galaxies in just five days. Her work was part of a citizen science project run by a Japanese research organization, Galaxy Zoo, which invites volunteers worldwide to assist astronomers in their research. "It was challenging but also incredibly rewarding," said Barbalho in an interview. "I learned so much about galaxies and felt like I was making a real contribution to scientific understanding." The classification process involved analyzing images of the night sky and identifying galaxies based on their shape. Barbalho explained that the main method is to distinguish between spiral and elliptical galaxies, considering factors like the presence of spiral arms and the overall shape of the galaxy. Barbalho's professor, Guilherme Lima, highlighted the significance of her contribution, stating, "While the work is voluntary, the quality of Layssa's contribution is of the highest level. It's a testament to her dedication and skills, inspiring other young people to pursue careers in STEM." Barbalho's accomplishment has garnered significant attention and serves as an inspiring example of citizen science and the power of individual contributions to scientific discovery. Her story also underscores the importance of encouraging women in STEM fields.