observing stars is almost spiritual when i first heard that an asteroid has been named after me and got confirmation from the international astronomical union i felt a strong jolt in 2005 lincoln laboratory of the massachusetts institute of technology mit named an asteroid after mumbai teen bhushan mahadik in recognition of his achievement as a finalist in the 2003 intel international science engineering fair in ohio thane the focus of his research was synthesis of carbon nanotubes asked what prompted levys generosity sharma said i think the passion in me came out levy could feel it sharma has been associated with the bangalore astronomical society since 2006 american david h levy recognized as one of the most accomplished amateur astronomers in the world discovered the asteroid and named it sharma 380370 others study astronomy as a hobby but for me its an inner passion he said it was fortunate that i met chandramauli raman who started nikay indias first public observatory on the outskirts of bangalore said sharma amar sharma a 29yearold amateur astronomer is the latest indian part of a rare small group after whom an asteroid has been named originally from thane sharma was a student of singhania school till class vii when his family shifted to bangalore sharmas first celestial discovery is often credited as the first by an amateur in modern india i was fascinated it turned into a lifechanging event and i went on to study astronomy once i was taking photographs of the sky when a star flared up in fact its a dream beyond touching the sky i sincerely believe that its the hearty support and blessings of my parents amar sharma and madhavi kelkar that fetched me success when i see comets their rings and other wonders in the sky i want to share the joy with people sharma has never met levy but is in constant touch with him takes his guidance chats with him and shares the results of his work with him now sharma wants to discover the first comet for india it was a category called mira variables which happens over a period of days he said describing the event he says his tryst with astronomy began when at 17 he went to bannerghetta national park and saw the open sky with twinkling stars at night last week has been a dream its something only the most experienced people can expect at the end of their careers i cant believe i got it at the beginning of mine for the last 12 years i have been studying astronomy and my interest is increasing everyday said bangalorebased sharma who is visiting thane