Marcin Odlanicki Poczobutt

Marcin Odlanicki Poczobutt (Lithuanian: Martynas Počobutas; 30 October 1728 near Grodno – 7 February 1810 in Daugavpils) was a Polish–Lithuanian Jesuit, astronomer and mathematician.

[1] Poczobutt is also the author of the University's motto, Hinc itur ad astra (from here one rises to the stars).

[3] The observatory, established by Thomas Zebrowski, was in its early stages of development and Poczobutt worked hard to obtain modern instruments.

He was tasked with reforming the university from a medieval school concentrated on humanities (philosophy and theology) to a modern scientific institution.

[8] He described 16-star constellation, which he named Taurus Poniatovii in honour of King Poniatowski (it is now obsolete and considered to be part of the Ophiuchus).