ASTROPHYSICAL OBSERVATORY MAKES NEW DISCOVERIES; GEOPHYSICS OBSERVATORY CELEBRATES ANNIVERSARY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00809A000600290768-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 29, 2011
• Sequence Number: 768
• Publication Date: March 24, 1950
• Content Type: REPORT

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CLASSIFICATION SECRETSE t
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY REPORT
INFORMATION FROM
COUNTRY USSR DATE OF
INFORMATION 1949
SUBJECT Scientific - Geophysical, astrophysical
institutes
HOW
PUBLISHED Daily newspapers
WHERE
PUBLISHED USSR
DATE
PUBLISHED 30 Oct - 1 Dec 1949
LANGUAGE Russian
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ASTROPHYSICAL OBSERVATORY MAKES NEW DISCOVERIES;
GEOPHYSICS OBSERVATORY CELEBRATES ANNIVERSARY
BYURAKAN OBSERVATORY DISCOVERS STELLAR ASSOCIATIONS -- Kommunist, No 282, 1 Dec 49
The newest observatory in the Soviet Union is the Byurakan Astrophysical Ob-
servatory of the Academy of Sciences Armenian SSR, located in Byurakan, 1,500
meters above sea level. It was established in 1945.
The Byurakan Observatory began its observation work in 1947- In a short time,
it became widely renown for its important scientific discoveries. In 1947-48,
V. A. Ambartsumyan discovered the existence of new stellar systems forming the
Galaxy. This discovery brought about an important change in our conception of
the origin of stars and of celestial bodies in general. Esnyy idealistic astro-
physicists assumed that all stars composing the Galaxy were formed in some very
remote epoch billions of years ago, and that, at present, star-forming processes
are no longer occurring. The discovery of stellar associations appeared as evi-
dence of the existence of isolated groups of young stars formed from other,
formerly unknown heavenly bodies -- the so-called protostars (protozvezd). The
discovery of these stellar associations proves the point of view of Soviet
cosmogonical science, namely, that the formation of stars and other heavenly
bodies is continuing at an intensive rate.
A group of astrophysicists under the direction of V. A. Ambartsumyan are
now carefully studying the composition of stellar associations, the nature of
their individual component stars and their spatial distribution, and are investi-
gating the absorption of star light in interstellar space. At the same time,
work is being done in discovering new stars and studying variations in existing
ones.
In 1949, the observatory received the newest Soviet apparatus. Not long
ago, the largest spectrograph in the world for the inves-cigation of nebulae
was installed. The spectrograph was designed and built at the Leningrad
Optical Institute. Its originality lies in the fact that it is set up in two
units: one unit is located in a deep ravine and the other unit at the crest of
a cliff. Such an arrangement makes it possible to isolate small areas of distant
nebulae and to subject them to spectral analysis.
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SECRET
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In addition, a 10-inch reflector-spectrograph, devised by Professor 0. Mel'-
nikov to serve in the study of physical properties of stars, was installed. The
first investigations using the reflector-spectrograph showed that it was possible
to penetrate far into the ultraviolet region of the star spectrum. Never before
had it been possible to do this in any foreign observatory.
During the summer, a group of co-workers of the Byurakan Observatory as-
cended Aragats, where they took photographs of star spectra.
In 1947, he observatory began to publish its Soobshcheniye (Reports), which
described the investigations carried on in Byurakan. So far, four issues have
been published.
At present, a great deal of construction work is being done at the observatory.
According to the plan of the Professor S. A. Safaryan, Associate Member, Academy
of Architecture USSR, a central laboratory building and living quarters for co-
workers are being erected. The plan also provides for the construction of observa-
tion towers and pavilions, to which apparatus will be moved from the present tem-
porary locations and installed permanently. Construction work is expected to be
completed in 1951. -- S. Arevsha'yan
GEOPHYSICS OBSERVATORY PREPARES MANUALS -- Sovetskaya Latviya, No 257, 30 Oct 49
The 100th anniversary of the Glavnyy Geophysics Observ..-wry imeni A. I.
Voyeykov, the oldest and largest observatory in the Soviet Union, was celebrated
by a 2-dry meeting held on 28 and 29 October. The meeting was held in the Academy
of Sciences USSR in Leningrad and was attended by workers from the observatory,
representatives from scientific societies, and guests. During the first day,
speeches were made by V. P. Pastukh, Candidate of Geographical Sciences, and S. A.
Sapozhnikova, Doctor of Geographical Sciences.
The Soviet Union now has two hydrometeorological institutes and several
technical schools for training cadres to become hydrometeorological specialists.
At present, scholars are conducting large expeditions to study lakes, seas,
rivers, and swamps. A book containing basic hydrological information on the
USSR is now being prepared for printing. Spravochniki po Vodnym Resursam SSSR
(Manuals of Water Resources of the USStt) and other basic works on the USSR cli-
mate have already been published. Detailed climatic manuals dealing with each
oblast have also been compiled. The final product of this work will be the vol-
ume, Bol'sho Klimaticheski Atlas Sovetskogo Soyuza (A Large Climatic Atlas of
the Soviet Union . A general magnetic survey of the USSR was carried out and
maintenance of radio facilities in the USSR was supplemented by forecasts on
the passage of radio waves. Moreover, important scientific research was under-
taken on the general circulation of the atmosphere, on relationships between
atmospheric phenomena and the sun's activity, on drought and the dry south wind,
and on permafrostology.
To answer questions concerning agriculture, a volume called Mirovo o-
klimaticheskiy Spravochnik (A Universal Agricultural Climatic Manual has been
published. Considerable work has gone into the composition of oblast agricul-
tural hydrological manuals and into the study of local peculiarities of micro-
climate and its effect upon the development of agriculture.
Long-range seasonal and monthly forecasts of the weather, based on the
method developed by the Soviet scholar, Academician Mul'tanovskiy, are now
being worked out in the USSR.
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SEMI
In 1949, the Latvian SSR had a completely equipped and developed network
of observation and information stations and posts. The hydroelectrical station
network is ultramodern. In addition, the Riga Geophysics Observatory, an agri-
cultural meteorological station, and an estuarine hydrometeorological station
in Riga have been founded.
meteorology. So far, climatic manuals of Latvian:SSR, hydrological, agricultural,
meteorological, and marine annuals based on observations taken over a number of
years, and a report on 21 rivers have been compiled. Research is now continuing
to determine the radiational equilibrium of Riga Bay and soil freezing in Latvian
SSR.
TBILISI GEOPHYSICAL OBSERVATORY MEETS -- Zarya Vostoka, No 231, 26 Nov 49
The Tbilisi Scientific-Research Geophysical Observatory held a session in
Tbilisi dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Main Geophysical Observatory
imeni A. I. Voyeykov in Leningrad. The session was opened by K. Gogishvili,
chief of the Administration of hydrometallurgical Work of Georgian SSR. Scien-
tific co-workers made speeches about the history of the A. I. Voyeykov Observa-
tory and the work being done in the Tbilisi Observatory.
ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORY UNDER CONSTRUCTION -- Leningradskaya Pravda, No 280,
29 Nov 49
The Main Astronomical Observatory USSR in Pulkovo is again under construction.
The main building and several new pavilions and towers will be completed in 1950.
Modern astronomical equipment in the buildings will include a horizontal solar
telescope, designed by N. G. Ponomarev and D. D. Maksutov, and a large 65-centi-
meter refractor. By means of a polar tube, circumpolar stars will be photographed
for the determination of the so-called astronomical constants.
The towers have rotating cupolas which will be used by astronomers for photo-
graphing stars. Apparatus used will include a quartz spectrograph of Professor
0. A. Mel'nikov's design and a mirror-lens telescope designed by Professor G. G.
Slyusarev.
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