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School Encyclopedia. "He did a lot in astronomy first." Boris Alexandrovich Vorontsov-Velyaminov Vorontsov Boris Alexandrovich

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Biography of Boris Vorontsov-Velyaminov (1840-1905)

Short biography:

Education: University of Moscow

Place of Birth: Ekaterinoslav

A place of death: Moscow, Russia

- Soviet astronomer: biography with photos, books and teaching aids on astronomy, determination of the distance to the nebulae, atlas and catalogs.

Boris Aleksandrovich was born in the city of Yekaterinoslav on February 1, 1904. There he studied at the 2nd gymnasium. At the same time he was a student of the astronomy circle, which was organized by Alexander Andrianovich Alenich.

In parallel with his studies at Moscow University, which he graduated in 1925, he worked at the Institute of Astrophysics. During the war period from 1941-1943 he was the head of the Department of Astrophysics at the Institute of Astronomy and Physics of the Kazakh Academy of Sciences.

Under the name of the scientist, a lot of works on the history of astronomy in Russia and the USSR were published. Boris Alexandrovich has a broad pedagogical activity behind him.

A series was published under the editorship of Vorontsov-Velyaminov teaching aids in astronomy, and some of them were intended for secondary schools.

The works on which the scientist worked are related to astrophysics (galaxies, nebulae, non-stationary stars), as well as the origin and development of astronomy. He was the creator of a method for determining the distance of the nebulae of planetary systems (semi-empirical method). His labors created a method for calculating the temperatures of their nuclei. Classification of visible forms of planetary nebulae, also created by Boris Alexandrovich. The scientist published a number of catalogs of these nebulae, and at the same time a catalog of integral photographic values ​​of globular clusters of the Galaxy.

An atlas and catalog of 355 interacting galaxies was published in 1959. He is also the author of a catalog of 30,000 galaxies.

An outstanding figure published a huge number of Astronomy textbooks for secondary schools. These textbooks were published for 30 years by the Prosveshcheniye publishing house.

Vorontsov-Velyaminov is an Honored Worker of the RSFSR, has a medal for the discovery of astronomical objects. Awarded them. F. Bredikhin of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR.

Details Category: Explorers of the Universe Posted on 26.12.2012 12:00 Views: 2817

B.A. Vorontsov-Velyaminov - Russian astronomer, corresponding member of the Academy pedagogical sciences USSR, author of textbooks and teaching aids (in particular, a textbook for high school « Astronomy", reprinted several times).

For more than 30 years he has been conducting pedagogical work on the training of teachers of astronomy.

B.A. was born Vorontsov-Velyaminov in the city of Yekaterinoslav (now Dnepropetrovsk) in 1904. He became interested in astronomy while studying at the gymnasium. After graduating from Moscow University, he worked at the State Astronomical Institute. PC. Sternberg (until 1931 - Astrophysical Institute). Here he organized and for many years headed the department of new stars and gaseous nebulae. At the same time, he conducted a great pedagogical and popularizing activity.

Crimea. Observation solar eclipse in 1936. Vorontsov-Velyaminov on the right

B.A. Vorontsov-Velyaminov was a very versatile and enthusiastic person, a traveler: in 1927-1928. discovered and described a new glacier in the Caucasus, which now bears his name, composed poetry, and studied his genealogy for a thousand years.

In the picture: Vorontsov-Velyaminov Glacier (near Nizhny Arkhyz)

Here is one of Vorontsov-Velyaminov's poems.

milkyPATH

I love sometimes autumn
See Milky Way.
At night deeper, more inspiring,
The chest breathes easier.

There, in its winding white
sequin long row,
Overflow of timid waves
The fireflies are on.

Messed up in garlands
They burn here, they don't there.
Shine better than diamonds
Like fairy tales nonsense.

I love in his curves
Thought to rest:
I'm so fond of overflows
Glitter Milky Way.

Scientific activity

The works of Vorontsov-Velyaminov are devoted to non-stationary stars, nebulae, galaxies, comets, as well as the history of astronomy.

In 1930, for the first time, he studied the distribution of gases in the head of a comet and proved the rotation of the comet's nucleus.

In 1933 proposed an original semi-empirical method for determining the distances to planetary nebulae. planetary nebula- an astronomical object consisting of an ionized gas shell and a central star, a white dwarf. Planetary nebulae are formed during the ejection of the outer layers (shells) of red giants and supergiants with a mass of 2.5-8 solar masses at the final stage of their evolution. A planetary nebula is a fast-moving (by astronomical standards) phenomenon lasting only a few tens of thousands of years, while the lifespan of the ancestor star is several billion years. Currently, about 1500 planetary nebulae are known in our galaxy.

The picture shows the Eagle Nebula (Pillars of Creation)

One of the challenges in studying planetary nebulae is accurately determining their distance. For some nearby planetary nebulae it is possible to calculate the distance from us using the measured parallax high resolution obtained several years ago show the expansion of the nebula perpendicular to the line of sight, and spectroscopic analysis of the Doppler shift will make it possible to calculate the expansion rate along the line of sight. Comparing the angular expansion with the obtained expansion rate will make it possible to calculate the distance to the nebula.

Vorontsov-Velyaminov also proposed a method for determining the temperatures of the cores of nebulae, developed a classification of the visible forms of planetary nebulae, and compiled several catalogs of these nebulae. The results of his measurements of the brightness of star clusters confirmed the existence of absorption in the interstellar medium.

Since 1958, discovered 1200 galaxy systems showing shape distortions, bars and tails; called them "interacting".

interacting galaxies- galaxies located close enough in space for mutual gravity to significantly affect the shape, movement of matter and stars, star formation processes, and in some cases the exchange of matter between galaxies. Interacting galaxies are characterized by the presence of "tails", "bridges" and emissions of matter.

The picture shows interacting galaxies: the Whirlpool Galaxy (M51) and its satellite NGC 5195

He is the author of monographs galactic nebulae"(1935)," New stars and gaseous nebulae»(1948), " extragalactic astronomy", works " Essays on the history of astronomy in Russia"(1956), " Essays on the history of astronomy in the USSR"(1960) and others. Author of textbooks and manuals. Honored Worker of Science of the RSFSR. Awarded them. F. Bredikhin of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR (1962), the medal "For the discovery of new astronomical objects" of the Astronomical Council of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR.

One of the minor planets is named after him: Voronvelya.

Soviet astronomer, professor, doctor of physical and mathematical sciences, corresponding member of the Academy of Pedagogical Sciences of the USSR (1947). Born in Yekaterinoslav (Dnepropetrovsk) in the family of a railway employee. He is a descendant of two ancient noble families. In 1925 he graduated from Moscow University.

Since 1924 he worked at the State Astronomical Institute. PC. Sternberg (until 1931 - Astrophysical Institute). since 1953 - head of the department of physics of stars and galaxies created by him. Concurrently, he conducted pedagogical activities in the Moscow City and Moscow Regional pedagogical institutes. Along with scientific work, for more than 30 years he carried out a lot of pedagogical work on the training of teachers of astronomy.

Scientific works are devoted to various issues of astrophysics. B.A. Vorontsova-Velya-minova explores non-stationary stars, nebulae, galaxies, comets. The results of his measurements of the brightness of star clusters confirmed the existence of absorption in the interstellar medium (late 20s). In 1930, he first studied the distribution of gases in the head of a comet, proved the rotation of the comet's nucleus. In 1933, he proposed a method for determining the distances to planetary nebulae, a method for determining the temperatures of their cores, as well as Wolf-Rayet stars, and developed a classification of the visible forms of planetary nebulae. In 1934, he compiled the world's first catalog of planetary nebulae, proposed a method for determining the distances to them, which bears his name, and developed a classification of the forms of planetary nebulae.

In the 50s. performed a number of fundamental works on the spiral structure of our and other galaxies. Using the Palomar Sky Atlas, he discovered many previously unknown types of galaxies. Since 1958, discovered 2000 systems of galaxies that show shape distortions, bridges and tails; called them interacting. Some of these distortions were later explained by tidal interaction, however, according to Vorontsov-Velyaminov, this reason alone is not enough to explain all forms. He published two atlases containing photographs of 855 interacting galaxies (part 1 - 1959, part 2 - 1977). Together with the staff compiled and published in 1961-1974. five volumes of the "Morphological catalog of galaxies", widely known in the world, containing detailed description morphology of 32 thousand galaxies.

Author of the monographs "New Stars and Galactic Nebulae" (1935), "Gas Nebulae and New Stars" (1948), "Extragalactic Astronomy" (1st ed. in 1972, 2nd ed. in 1977), works " Essays on the history of astronomy in Russia" (1956), "Essays on the history of astronomy in the USSR" (1960), works on the history of Russia and local history. Author of many textbooks and teaching aids, in particular the textbook for secondary school "Astronomy", a collection of tasks that went through seven editions (1st edition in 1939) and translated in England, France and Spain. He did a lot to popularize astronomical knowledge and did a lot of pedagogical work.

He seduced many astronomers into science with his popular book "The Universe" ("Essays on the Universe" in the subsequent many reprints). He wrote dozens of popular pamphlets and articles. In 1960, for his popularization activities, he was elected an honorary member of VAGO, of which he has been a member since 1921. For many years he was the chairman and member of the scientific and methodological council of the "Knowledge" society. For services to science and education in 1954 awarded the order Lenin, many diplomas from the Ministry of Education of Russia. In total, he published about 600 scientific papers on various issues of astronomy.

The name of the Soviet scientist Vorontsov-Velyaminov became a household name. The asteroid 2916 was named after him, and more than one generation grew up on school textbooks and student manuals in astronomy.

The Soviet astronomer belonged to the ancient noble family of the Vorontsov-Velyaminovs.

Boris Vorontsov-Velyaminov - student of Moscow State University

Born February 14, 1904 in Yekaterinoslav (now regional center Dnepropetrovsk region of Ukraine). Elementary education received in the second Yekaterinoslav gymnasium. Here he attended the circle of astronomy, which was organized by the outstanding Ukrainian astronomer and physicist Alexander Alenich.

After he entered Moscow University. He graduated from the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics in 1925. In his student years, he organized the Kolnab astronomical club. It was visited by such subsequently famous scientists as E.L. Mustel, S.K. Vsekhsvyatsky, P.P. Parenago and V.V. Fedinsky.

He began his scientific activity at the Astrophysical Institute (now - the State Astronomical Institute named after P.K. Sternberg). In 1934 he became a professor at Moscow State University. In 1941 he was invited to the post of head of the department of astrophysics of the Institute of Astronomy and Physics of the Kazakh Academy of Sciences of the USSR.

In 1947 he became a corresponding member of the Academy of Pedagogical Sciences of the USSR. Dedicated for over 30 years pedagogical activity for the training of astronomy teachers.

Scientific contribution

Boris Vorontsov-Velyaminov was mainly engaged in the study of the history of astronomy and issues of astrophysics. He concentrated close attention on galaxies, nebulae and non-stationary stars.

In 1933 he proposed new method determining distances to nebulae based on semi-empirical observations. He also developed methods for determining the temperature of nuclei and a classification of the forms of planetary nebulae.

In 1936, he clearly proved that the blue-white continuous sequence on the spectrum-luminosity diagram is formed by the nuclei of planetary nebulae, white dwarfs, blue supergiants and new-like stars.

In the 1930s, he discovered interstellar absorption of light. The same discovery was made by US astronomer Robert Trumpler. However, the observations were carried out independently of each other.

Vorontsov-Velyaminov proved the inferiority of Hubble's classification of galaxies. He discovered many other morphological features. However, he could not find an explanation why the shapes of galaxies are so diverse - the astronomer believed that, in addition to gravity, they are controlled by forces still unknown to modern physics.

Based on his research, he published several catalogs of nebulae and globular star clusters, as well as atlases of galaxies.

Other activities

In addition to astronomy, Boris Vorontsov-Velyaminov was noted in other areas. The scientist conducted research of a kind descended from Prince Shimon Ofrikovich. The latter is mentioned in the collection of stories about the Kiev Caves Monastery. According to the chronicles, the prince arrived in 1027 to Yaroslav the Wise in Kyiv.

Vorontsov-Velyaminov studied genealogical connections for a thousand years. He established that his ancestors were related to Dmitry Donskoy and Alexander Pushkin.

In addition, the scientist was engaged in literature: he wrote poems about the stars and space. He also took part in research trips. Thus, in 1927-1928 he discovered and described a glacier in the Caucasus. Now it bears the name of Vorontsov-Velyaminov.

Awards and literary heritage

Boris Vorontsov-Velyaminov released many scientific papers.

In addition to textbooks and manuals, which were republished until 2001, he owns:

  • monograph "Galactic Nebulae" - 1935;
  • "Extragalactic Astronomy" - in two editions of 1972 and 1977;
  • "Essays on the history of astronomy in Russia" - 1956;
  • monograph "New stars and gaseous nebulae" - 1948;
  • "Essays on the history of astronomy in the USSR" - 1960;
  • morphological catalog of 30 thousand galaxies - 1961 - 1974;
  • catalog and atlas of 355 interacting galaxies - 1959 and 1977.

The Soviet astronomer made a huge contribution to the education of young scientists and teachers in astronomy. For outstanding services, he was repeatedly awarded, in particular:

  • prize to them. Fyodor Bredikhin in 1962 - Rosacademnauk award for achievements in astronomy;
  • medal "For the discovery of new astronomical objects" from the Astronomical Council of the Soviet Union;
  • honorary title of Honored Scientist of the Russian SFSR.

Textbook for the 10th grade of high school. — B.A. Vorontsov-Velyaminov

In August 1978, a new asteroid was discovered at the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory. Six years later, he was given the name of Vorontsov-Velyaminov - Voronvel.

Boris Vorontsov-Velyaminov died in Moscow on January 27, 1994, just a few days short of his 90th birthday.

Russian astronomer (February 14, 1904 - January 27, 1994), corresponding member of the Academy of Pedagogical Sciences of the USSR (since 1947).
At the State Astronomical Institute named after P.K. Sternberg (GAISh) there were only a few people in history who can be called the founders of new directions in science. Vorontsov-Velyaminov was one of them. In his honor on November 8, 1984, the asteroid (2916) Voronveliya was named, discovered on August 8, 1978 at the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory by N.S. Chernykh. A complex, "dvuboyarskaya" (or boyar-princely?) ancient surname, forever merged today in the name of the minor planet "Voronveliya".
On school textbooks and manuals for students on astronomy, written by him, more than one generation grew up.

Born February 14, 1904 in Yekaterinoslav (now the regional center of the Dnepropetrovsk region of Ukraine). From an ancient noble family, a descendant of the Velyaminovs. He received his primary education in the second Yekaterinoslav gymnasium. Here he attended the circle of astronomy, which was organized by the outstanding astronomer and physicist Alexander Alenich. Father - Alexander Vasilievich Vorontsov-Velyaminov, one of the leaders of the Southern railway, mother - Maria Vasilievna Vorontsova-Velyaminova, artist. As a child, he made a telescope himself, wrote a letter to the French. astronomer N.K. Flammarion and received from him magazines and books on astronomy as a gift. Together with the family at In the 1920s he moved to Moscow, where at first he lived in a carriage on the tracks near the Kalanchevskaya station, and then in a communal apartment in the center of Moscow.


Boris Vorontsov-Velyaminov - student of Moscow State University

In 1921, without an exam, he was admitted to the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics of Moscow University, from which he graduated in 1925. Discouraging obstacles on the way to the university: “wrong” origin, “excessively” intelligent appearance, “excessive” (for obtaining a certificate of passing Rabfak) erudition (after all, only representatives of the "workers" were admitted to universities by the new authorities!). But everything was successfully overcome, and in the same 21st, the dean of the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics of Moscow State University, the famous astrophysicist V.V. Stratonov enrolls a young amateur astronomer in the first year. In the student years begins and serious scientific work: its first results - three articles in the authoritative German journal "Achthonoptxe Machnschmen" for 1925-29. about the study of the integral brightness of globular clusters with a confident (unpopular then!) conclusion about the opacity of world space.
Boris Alexandrovich began his path to science as an amateur astronomer, organizing a circle of astronomy lovers (a team of observers of variable stars, or "Kolnab"). It was visited by such subsequently famous scientists as E.L. Mustel, S.K. Vsekhsvyatsky, P.P. Parenago and V.V. Fedinsky.

After graduating from Moscow University, he began to work as a professional, and he was interested in a variety of areas of astronomy: he studied comets, gaseous nebulae, stars, especially variables. But perhaps most importantly, Vorontsov-Velyaminov became one of the founders of extragalactic astronomy, a new direction in science that has changed our understanding of the Universe. Now a significant part, if not most, of the work in astrophysics is directly or indirectly related to extragalactic research.
He began his scientific career at the Astrophysical Institute (now the State Astronomical Institute named after P.K. Sternberg). In 1934 he became a professor at Moscow State University and headed the Department of New Stars and Gaseous Nebulae that he created (now it is the Department of Physics of Emission Stars and Galaxies). As the head of the department, he brought up a whole galaxy of scientists who continued his work and completed the work begun with him. In particular, after the death of Vorontsov-Velyaminov, it was compiled and published in in electronic format complete catalog of interacting galaxies.


Interacting Mouse galaxies (NGC 4676A and NGC 4676B). Photograph of the Hubble Space Telescope

The study of the interaction of galaxies was, perhaps, the most important direction of his work in the last two decades. The case began with the fact that the SAI received the Palomar atlas of the starry sky in the late 50s. Each map is a photographic image of a 6x6 degree section of the sky with very good resolution. On these maps, images of tens of thousands of galaxies can be distinguished, but they are all so small that, with rare exceptions, they do not exceed the size of two millimeters. Therefore, in order to examine their structure, Vorontsov-Velyaminov specially used an optical device. He scanned the giant photographs of the Palomar Atlas millimeter by millimeter, noting all the galaxies that came into view of the microscope. This work continued for many years.

As a result, B.A. Vorontsov-Velyaminov compiled a description of the shape, structure, and an estimate of the size and magnitude of more than 30 thousand galaxies, the bulk of which was previously unknown, published together with co-authors five volumes of the morphological catalog of galaxies. In addition, under his leadership, the Atlas and the catalog of interacting galaxies were prepared.

Boris Aleksandrovich was the first to do many things in astronomy. In particular, he owns the idea that clouds of interstellar gas contain gas ejected by stars. He was the first to come to the conclusion that the interaction of galaxies can be a decisive factor in their evolution. And the idea expressed by him that some of the stars in our Galaxy should have an external origin, that is, come from outside, was only relatively recently confirmed.

Boris Vorontsov-Velyaminov published many scientific papers. In addition to textbooks and manuals, which were reprinted until 2001, he is the author of monographs: "Galactic Nebulae" (1935), "New Stars and Gaseous Nebulae" (1948), "Extragalactic Astronomy" (1st ed. 1972, 2- e ed. 1977); works: "Essays on the History of Astronomy in Russia" (1956), "Essays on the History of Astronomy in the USSR" (1960), a morphological catalog of 30 thousand galaxies - 1961 - 1974; catalog and atlas of 355 interacting galaxies - 1959 and 1977.


Armchair and table A.B. Vorontsov-Velyaminov at the Department of Physics of Emission Stars and Galaxies, room 50

Among the various non-astronomical hobbies of Boris Alexandrovich, there was one that especially pleased his friends: he was an outstanding "filmmaker" - the author of many original home films. Created a comic studio "Voron-Film". Moreover, he made films with curious tricks, for example, when an actor’s head “came off” and flew through the air. In the film, filmed in the corridors of the Astronomical Institute, he sat on the carpet and flew out the open window.

Even Boris Alexandrovich worked professionally as a historian of Russia. The fact is that he came from a very famous family and knew his family tree for several tens of generations back centuries, up to the 11th century. The Vorontsov-Velyaminovs (and at first they were just the Velyaminovs) appeared in history under Yaroslav the Wise. When Moscow, with the light hand of Dolgoruky, became a city, Velyaminov was a thousandth under him. The second surname - Vorontsov - was attached to Velyaminov during the reign of Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich, so that the branch of the Vorontsovs, eminent boyars, who were all killed in battles, would not be forgotten. So the Vorontsov-Velyaminov clan appeared.

Boris Alexandrovich could list the names of all his ancestors, except for just a few tribes. Vorontsov-Velyaminov studied genealogical connections for a thousand years. He devoted one of the studies to his family ("From the Varangians to the builders of communism"), contributed to the unification of the descendants of the Velyaminov family. He established that his ancestors were related to Dmitry Donskoy and Alexander Pushkin. He knew the history of ancient Russian cities very well, he was especially fond of the monuments of Dmitrov. He had professional works in history.

In addition, the scientist was engaged in literature: he wrote poems about the stars and space. He also took part in research trips. In 1928 and 1929 made two geological and geographical expeditions to the Western Caucasus in the Arkhyz region, where he discovered a glacier and a pass, which now bear his name.

The man was amazing, unusual, striking in the breadth of interests. Despite his prominent noble origin, he was never arrogant, but he had a difficult character, he could sometimes flare up not on business, and he didn’t talk to some colleagues for a long time ... But then, as a rule, he left. Always, even at the sharpest turns of fate (both personal and country), he retained some kind of aristocratic decency, a sense of honor. But most importantly, he was immensely in love with science.

Boris Vorontsov-Velyaminov died in Moscow on January 27, 1994, just a few days short of his 90th birthday. He was buried at the Vagankovsky cemetery (plot No. 23).

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