The International Astronomical Union has named one of the newly discovered planetoids 'Michalkusiak', after the student of the Jagiellonian University Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Applied Computer Science. Michał Kusiak has discovered more than 150 comets with SOHO probe (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory) within the framework of the international project SOHO Sungrazing Comets. On 26 December 2010 he discovered 1999th and 2000th comets of this programme.

The planetoid is catalogued as (376574) 2013 PA16. It was first discovered in 2007 by Rafael Ferrando from Pla D'Arguines observatory in Castellon. In 2013 it was observed again by the Polish amateur astronomer Rafał Reszelewski, thanks to whom its orbit has been precisely determined. 

The planetoid (376574) 2013 PA16 is part of the main asteroid belt. It revolves around the Sun in 3.84 years. Its diameter, estimated on the basis of its absolute magnitude, is 1.7 kilometres.

The International Astronomical Union is an organization which groups together 10,871 professional astronomers from 94 countries, recommended by their National Committees. It coordinates astronomical research activity worldwide. The Union has an exclusive right to name the newly discovered celestial bodies and their surface features. It is the responsibility of the Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature.

Illustration of the (376574) 2013 PA16 planetoid orbit

Below: (376574) 2013 PA16 seen through the 1.2-metre telescope on Mt Palomar (NEAT project). Images from 22 June 2001, a 'precovery'