The International Astronomical Union has given two asteroids Vilnius University names of rectors.
Asteroids are named after rectors and astronomers Martyn Počobut and Vladislav Dzievulski - "Poczobut" and "Dziewulski", announced this week Vilnius University.
The asteroid named after M. Počobut was found in October 2004, it comes closest to the Sun within 356 million kilometers, and orbits around the Sun in about five and a half years.
M. Počobutas (1728–1810) is a Jesuit, astronomer and mathematician, who worked as the director of the Vilnius Astronomical Observatory and the rector of the university. The lunar crater is also named after him.
At that time, the small celestial body, named after V. Dzievulskis, was found in September 2006. The closest asteroid to the Sun comes within 328 million kilometers, and it orbits the Sun in almost five and a half years.
Vladislavas Dzievulskis (1878–1962) is a Polish astronomer and mathematician. He was also the director of the Vilnius Astronomical Observatory, a university professor, and held the position of rector. The moon also has a crater named after him.
Both asteroids were found at the Molėtai Astronomical Observatory of the Institute of Theoretical Physics and Astronomy of Vilnius University. The discoverers are Vilnius University astronomers Kazimieras Černis and Justas Zdanavičius.
New small bodies in the Solar System are given names after orbital analysis. The name can be chosen by the astronomer who first provides enough observations to accurately calculate the asteroid's orbit.
The proposal is submitted to the Committee on Small Body Names of the International Astronomical Union, which formally decides whether the proposal is acceptable.
