Pranvera Hyseni, a distinguished astronomer from Kosovo now pursuing her Ph.D. at the University of California, has recently announced a significant milestone via social media: her asteroid study project has been accepted by NASA. Hyseni will have access to the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility in Hawaii for four nights, allowing her to advance her research on asteroids.

In her Facebook post, Hyseni expressed her excitement and honor at having her first project accepted by NASA. She will use the powerful 4-meter telescope to investigate various asteroid families, aiming to understand their composition and organic matter through spectroscopy. “This project will allow me to conduct a detailed examination of the light emitted by asteroids to better comprehend the chemical compositions and processes that influenced their formation,” she wrote.

Hyseni’s previous collaboration with her friend, Hap Griffin, led to the discovery of an asteroid named Asteroid 45687 Pranverahyseni. Despite her current studies in the U.S., she remains deeply connected to her roots. In 2015, she founded “Astronomy Outreach of Kosovo,” a nonprofit organization that has significantly impacted the local community. The organization has reached over 25,000 individuals annually through its informative activities.

Hyseni’s exceptional commitment was further demonstrated by her successful fundraising efforts, securing over 300,000 euros in donations and government support to establish Kosovo’s first national observatory. This observatory plays a crucial role in advancing scientific research in astronomy.

Pranvera Hyseni’s groundbreaking work exemplifies her dedication to both her field and her homeland, bridging scientific advancements with community engagement.