Forming of research directions of Academician Mykola. P. Barabashov in the early scientific period

Abstract

In the framework of the study of the scientific biography of the outstanding Ukrainian astronomer, planetary scientist, academician of the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic Mykola Barabashov, his activity in the initial period of scientific research (1910–1922) was considered. The aim of the work is to summarize the results of the complex historical and scientific study of the formation of directions of research interests of academician M. Barabashov in the specified period. It was found out that during this stage M. Barabashov became a scientist, the main thematic areas of his further research work related to the study of the Sun, the Moon, the planets of Mars, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn were formed, though he also paid attention to the study of new and variable stars, observed meteors and comets. The ways of the astronomer’s creative amateur searches, which at that time occurred even because of erroneous representations about the nature of certain astronomical phenomena, have been analyzed. It was established that the further development of the scientific and applied interests of the astronomer, laid down in the 1910s, was realized in the birth of the scientific school of planetary science, the objects of study of which were the Moon, the Sun, and the planets. With the beginning of space exploration of the Solar System, the results of the activities of this scientific team received international recognition, which in general contributed to the establishment of the Kharkiv Astronomical Observatory as a center of planetary research in the former USSR. Some of the scientific ideas and hypotheses of M. Barabashov regarding the interpretation of the results of his observations obtained during the research period were later confirmed in the study of the Moon with the help of spacecraft. It is assumed that the materials of the conducted study will be used in the research work devoted to the reproduction of the full scientific biography of academician Mykola Barabashov.