Asteroid named after the Jagiellonian University student

IAU recognised Kusiak’s commitment to popularising astronomy in Poland and the fact that he was credited with discoveries of 151 comets.

Asteroid, previously bearing the designation (376574) 2013 PA16, was first noticed in 2007 by Rafael Ferrando from the Pla D\' Arguines Observatory in Castellon (Spain). In 2013, the object was re-discovered by Polish astronomy enthusiast Rafał Reszelwski.

(376574) 2013 PA16 is the main belt asteroid, which needs 3.84 years to complete one revolution around the Sun. Based on the brightness, its diameter is estimated at about 1.7 kilometers.

Michał Kusiak comes from Zywiec. He currently studies at the Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Applied Computer Science, Jagiellonian University. He told PAP that his interest in astronomy began in childhood, when TVP broadcasted the program "Kwant". His passion was strengthened by teachers of geography in middle school and high school, and Silesian Planetarium. He became interested in comets in the years 1996/1997, when the bright comets Hyakutake and Hale-Bopp could be seen in the sky. Since then, he wanted discover an object in space.

He currently can boast as many as 151 discovered comets, achievement made while taking part in an international project SOHO Sungrazing Comets. Kusiak discovered the first SOHO comet in 2007, when he was 21 years old. He also discoverer SOHO comet number 2000.

"Astronomy is basically the most accessible area in which amateurs can be explorers. It is not necessary to own a large telescope. In the era of easy internet access, you can take part in public educational, social and scientific projects, even in the field of comets and asteroids. Today, anyone can try their hand" - said Kusiak.

Young scientist believes that in the coming years we will see many more new Polish names in space. He is currently working with amateur astronomer Michał Żołnowski, with whom he studies asteroids, using the observatory Żołnowski has built in Italy. They reported 1,100 candidates for previously unknown objects, some of which - according to further observations - are expected to be confirmed as new discoveries.

In turn, the re- discoverer of the new "Polish" asteroid, Rafał Reszelewski, discovered his first comet discovered at the age of 13, and now he is also trying his luck in the search for asteroids - with very good results.

International Astronomical Union announced the decision to name the asteroid (376574) Michalkusiak in their bulletin Minor Planet Circular of 16 January 2014.

PAP - Science and Scholarship in Poland

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