Astronomy in Kharkiv during the Civil War period of the Ukrainian Revolution (1917–1921)

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15421/272027

Abstract

As a result of the historiographical analysis, it was discovered that no separate publications were devoted to the study of the development of astronomical science in Kharkiv during the Ukrainian Revolution of 1917–1921. Therefore, the general purpose of the work is to study and synthesis facts of the history of Kharkiv astronomy in a certain period. The research activities of the astronomical observatory of Kharkiv University is considered, the personal composition of the observatory and the department of astronomy is clarified, the Kharkiv astronomers’s publications of this period, devoted to photometric observation of stars, absorption of light and its reflection from matte surfaces, studying circumpolar stars and Beta Cephei starstype, exploration Nova Aquilae 1918, observation of the Moon and planets has also been analyzed. The author used special methods: historical-biographical, historical-chronological, retrospective and methods of source analysis, the use of which allowed to identify the main stages of astronomy in the studying period, to reveal the content of scientific potential of Kharkiv astronomers. The source base of the study included the materials of the archives of the Institute of Astronomy V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University and the State Archives of Kharkiv region. Biographical information of representatives of Kharkiv astronomy and their participation in the events of the civil war has clarified, in particular: professors Ludwig Struve, Mykola Barabashov, Mykola Evdokimov, Vasiliy Fesenkov, Boris Gerasimovych, Otto Struve, astronomers Mykola Bobrovnikov, Volodymyr Mikhailov, Boris Semeykin. The issue of transformation of the Kharkiv Astronomical Observatory against the background of the turnings of Kharkiv University in 1920–1921 is covered. It is assumed that the materials of historical and scientific research will be used in research work on the history of astronomy in Kharkiv in the first half of the twentieth century.

Published

2021-01-06