AI Insight
Elizabeth Zhang, a teenager from Cupertino, California, has been awarded the Astronomical League's National Young Astronomer Award for 2026. Her winning work focused on the study of circumbinary planets, which are planets that orbit around two stars instead of one. The award recognizes outstanding astronomical research conducted by young scientists.
Why it matters
This recognition highlights the contributions of young researchers to planetary science and encourages youth participation in astronomy. Circumbinary planet research advances our understanding of planetary formation in complex stellar systems and expands knowledge of potential habitable environments beyond single-star systems.
Understand the Science
Elizabeth Zhang of Cupertino, California, has earned the Astronomical League’s National Young Astronomer award for her study of circumbinary planets.
The post California Teen Wins 2026 National Young Astronomer Award appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
Source: California Teen Wins 2026 National Young Astronomer Award