Gunaras Kakaras
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Gunaras Kakaras | |
|---|---|
| Born | 8 January 1939 |
| Alma mater | Vilnius University |
| Known for | Stars Photometry[2] |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Astronomy and Astrophysics |
| Institutions | Lithuanian Museum of Ethnocosmology |
Gunaras Imantas Kakaras (born 8 January 1939, Padaičiai near Biržai[1]) is a Lithuanian astronomer, founder and director of Lithuanian Museum of Ethnocosmology.[3][4] He is widely known in Lithuania and Post-Soviet states as a scientist, advocating and popularising Lithuanian ethnic culture along with astronomy.[5][6]
In 1967, he published his first book Šimtas astronomijos mįslių (A Hundred Mysteries of Astronomy).[2] In 1977, together with Algimantas Ažusienis and Antanas Juška, Kakaras released a textbook Astrofizika.[2][7] His field of interests has evolved into unique concept of ethnocosmology. This new idea was widely supported in Lithuania, and resulted in establishing Lithuanian Museum of Ethnocosmology in 1990,[3][4] which was built near Molėtai Astronomical Observatory, and until now is led by Kakaras himself.[citation needed] Asteroid 231040 Kakaras was named in his honor.[4] The official naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 25 September 2018 (M.P.C. 111803).[8]
