63rd Annual STS (2003-2004)
Finalists
Andrei Munteanu

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Andrei Munteanu, 18, of Washington, D.C., was selected as a finalist in the Intel Science Talent Search for his earth and space sciences project in celestial mechanics. Andrei invented a new algorithm for computing the minimum distance between elliptical orbits, using analytical tools involving calculus, 3D Euclidean geometry, algebraic manipulations and numerical analysis. He not only used existing computer programs, but also wrote his own C++ code. His numerical algorithm, successfully tested on 70,000 main-body asteroids, can be used to determine the mass of asteroids, and predict collisions between asteroids and between Earth and minor bodies (asteroids, comets or meteorites). He coauthored a paper on his findings, which was presented at the 2003 meeting of the American Astronomical Society's Division on Dynamical Astronomy. Andrei is first in his class of 92 at Benjamin Banneker High School, and competes on the varsity "It's Academic" team. He has received numerous science and math awards and is a published poet. Andrei was born in Romania and is the son of Alexandru and Daniela Munteanu. He hopes to continue his studies at MIT.