An asteroid has been named in honour of Kazimieras Černis, a scientist at Vilnius University’s Faculty of Physics, the university said Tuesday.
The name was picked by Orlando Naranjo, a Spanish-Venezuelan astronomer and asteroid researcher, who chose to dedicate one of his discoveries to Černis.
Černis said the recognition came as a surprise.
“I did not expect Professor Orlando Naranjo to name his discovery in my honour,” he said. “Throughout my life, I have met only a few astronomers who, like me, search for asteroids and comets and give them names.”
The Lithuanian scientist has himself named around 200 asteroids over the course of his career.
He said he met Naranjo earlier this year during a visit to Vilnius University and the Molėtai Astronomical Observatory, where astronomers discussed future cooperation.
The asteroid, officially designated 29692 Černis (provisional name 1998 XE97), was originally discovered in December 1998 at the Mérida Observatory in the Andes at an altitude of about 3,600 metres.
Measuring roughly 2 to 3 kilometres in diameter, the object was observed using a Schmidt telescope, with its orbit calculated from photographic plates taken at the time.
According to Černis, the asteroid is expected to approach Earth in February 2028 and will be visible from Lithuania in the constellation Leo.
Naranjo has discovered about 60 asteroids during his career, the university said.
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