The asteroid Skarga has been named in honour of Piotr Skarga, the first Rector of Vilnius University (VU). It was discovered at the VU Molėtai Astronomical Observatory by Dr Kazimieras Černis and Dr Justas Zdanavičius – scientists from the Institute of Theoretical Physics and Astronomy of the VU Faculty of Physics.
Piotr Skarga (unknown artist, oil, 17 c., National Museum of Lithuania)
"Naming the asteroid was not a difficult task – historical figures such as Vilnius University’s Rectors Skarga, Poczobut, Dziewulski, and others have always inspired me. Moreover, we have long been collaborating with Jesuit astronomers from the Vatican Observatory, where we have encountered many outstanding contemporary scientists," explained Dr Černis, sharing the story behind the asteroid’s name.
This February marks the 489th anniversary of Skarga’s birth. According to Assoc. Prof. Dr Liudas Jovaiša from the VU Faculty of History, Skarga (1536–1612) played a significant role in Vilnius at the time.
"He was a Polish Jesuit and a key figure in the social life of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. As an iconic author of Polish literature, he wrote on such themes as faith, morality, and public and political affairs ("Sejm Sermons"), as well as engaged in theological debates with Protestants. Skarga’s work as a writer and preacher fully developed in Vilnius, where he served as a preacher at the Jesuit College from 1573 and became the University’s first Rector in 1579. His best-selling work "Lives of the Saints" was first published in 1579 by the VU Printing House in Vilnius. Skarga could be linked to astronomy in the sense that he was a true star of his time," said the historian.
The asteroid named after Skarga was discovered on 23 March 2007 at the VU Molėtai Astronomical Observatory. Dr Černis and Dr Zdanavičius initially detected it using a 0.5-metre Maksutov system telescope. The first astrometric data was promptly sent to the Minor Planet Center at the Harvard College Observatory (USA) on 24 March. On 26 March, the new object was confirmed by the Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona using a 1.8-metre telescope. The asteroid was designated 2007 FO34.
The Minor Planet Center estimated its orbit, determining that the asteroid is approximately 3 km in diameter, orbits the Sun in 4 years and 164 days, and belongs to the outer region of the asteroid belt.
On 14 October 2024, the International Astronomical Union officially announced that asteroid 2007 FO34 (327977) was assigned the name Skarga.
The asteroid Skarga will be clearly visible again in August 2026, appearing in the Capricornus constellation, low on the horizon above Lithuania, with a magnitude of 19–20. The orbital elements of the asteroid Skarga are as follows: a = 2.706 AU, e = 0.043, i = 6.52, P = 4.45 years.