Recognition for Bulgaria’s Historic Landmark An asteroid located between Mars and Jupiter has been officially named Perperikon, honoring the ancient Thracian city in Bulgaria’s Eastern Rhodopes. The name was approved on February 24 by the Working Group for Small Bodies Nomenclature (WGSBN) of the International Astronomical Union, as announced by archaeologist Prof. Nikolay Ovcharov, who has led excavations at Perperikon for years.
Discovery and Scientific Background The asteroid was initially detected in 2015 in Varna during an educational program involving students from various schools. Assoc. Prof. Veselka Radeva, head of the planetarium at the Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy in Varna, made the discovery alongside student Irena Dimitrova from the Varna High School of Mathematics as part of an international research initiative focused on tracking asteroids.
Orbiting the Sun within the asteroid belt, Perperikon takes approximately five years and eight to nine months to complete a full orbit. Further observations are required to determine its exact size, rotational period, and chemical composition, which will be conducted using the telescopes at Bulgaria’s Rozhen National Astronomical Observatory.
The Significance of the Name Perperikon Assoc. Prof. Radeva proposed the name Perperikon due to the site’s profound historical and cultural significance for Bulgaria. Since 2000, she has taken young astronomy enthusiasts to visit the archaeological complex and observe the excavation efforts led by Prof. Ovcharov. Among their favorite locations is a rock niche known as "The Solar Observatory," believed to have been used for ancient solstice observations and seasonal rituals.
More than 200 asteroids discovered by Bulgarian astronomers have been named after Bulgarian landmarks, including one named Varna, which was identified approximately two years ago.
The Naming Process and Official Recognition WGSBN Secretary Gareth Williams confirmed that minor planet 560085 was officially designated as Perperikon on February 24. He explained that the process for naming minor planets involves the discoverer submitting a proposal with a justification for the chosen name. Although not all minor planets receive names, those that do must pass through a voting process by the 11-member WGSBN. Newly approved names are published every three weeks in the WGSBN Bulletin, after which they become official.
The latest bulletin specifically acknowledges Perperikon as the largest megalithic archaeological complex in the Balkans, solidifying its status as a site of global historical importance.
Perperikon’s International Recognition Prof. Ovcharov highlighted the global acclaim Perperikon has received. The British newspaper The Guardian has ranked it among Europe’s top ten most remarkable historical sites, while Islands.com, part of National Geographic, has referred to Perperikon as the "Machu Picchu of Europe."
He emphasized the need for greater recognition and investment in Bulgaria’s archaeological treasures, stating, "While efforts have been made to promote these sites, we should strive to further highlight their significance. These monuments captivate the world and hold immense potential for boosting Bulgaria’s cultural tourism."
Perperikon’s name now etched among the stars serves as a powerful reminder of its rich history and Bulgaria’s contributions to both archaeology and space exploration.
