KhNU > Faculty of Physics > Department of Astronomy

Departament of Astronomy, Faculty of Physics

Astronomical cabinet was founded at Kharkiv University at 1808, the Department of Astronomy was founded at 1824, and the Astronomical Observatory at the University was created at 1883 by Prof. G. V. Levitsky. The Scientific Research Institute of Astronomy was founded at 2002 on the base of the Astronomical Observatory. From 1894 to 1915 the Department of Astronomy and Astronomical Observatory were headed by Prof. L. O. Struve, the grandson of the founder and first header of the Pulkovo Observatory V. Ja. Struve. Prof. L. O. Struve was the founder of Kharkiv school of positional astronomy. The Honored worker of science of Ukraine N.N. Evdokimov, the Laureate of State prize of USSR V. V. Kavrajsky, the Honored worker of Science and Technology of Russian Federation B.I. Kudrevich, and the Honored worker of Science of Ukraine B. P. Ostashchenko-Kudriavtsev were the representatives of this school. The next outstanding astrophysicists of XX century were the pupils of Prof. L. O. Struve: academician of USSR Academy of Sciences V.G. Fesenkov, academician of Ukraine Academy of Sciences N.P. Barabashov, one of founder theoretic astrophysics, director of the Pulkovo Observatory Prof. B. P. Gerasimovich, the President of International Astronomical Union and director of some known US observatories Prof. O. L. Struve. The studies of the physical conditions at the Moon and Solar System planets were started by V.G. Fesenkov and were continued by N. P. Barabashov, who created the worldwide known school of planetology. The data obtained at Kharkiv about the surface of the Moon, surface and atmosphere of Mars, atmospheres of Venus and giant planets played the important role at the first stage of planet investigations by space missions. Astronomers of KhNU took part in preparing and data processing of the all Soviet space programs of investigations for Moon, Mars, Venus and Halley comet.

The astronomers KhNU have wide contacts with many science institutions in Ukraine, Russia and other countries of FSU, USA, Germany, Italy, French, Sweden, Finland, Poland and Czech Republic.

Now 30 objects in Solar System (craters on the Moon, Mars and Venus, minor planets) are named the names of alumni of the Department of Astronomy of KhNU.

Professors and teachers of Department:

  1. Andrey M. Gretsky, head of Department, assistant professor, candidate of physical and mathematical sciences.
  2. Yurij V. Alexandrov, professor, candidate of physical and mathematical sciences.
  3. Vladimir A. Zahozhaj, professor, doctor of physical and mathematical sciences.
  4. Yurij G. Shkuratov, director of SRI of Astronomy of KhNU, professor, doctor of physical and mathematical sciences.
  5. Elena Yu. Bannikova, assistant professor, candidate of physical and mathematical sciences.
  6. Petr N. Fedorov, assistant professor, candidate of physical and mathematical sciences.
  7. Vasilij G. Shevchenko, assistant professor, candidate of physical and mathematical sciences.
  8. Dmitrij G. Stankevich, assistant professor, candidate of physical and mathematical sciences.

Field of research – physics of the Sun, planets, Moon, minor planets of Solar System, positional astronomy, star astronomy, gravitational lensing of quasars et cet.

The training of astronomers at Kharkiv Karazin National University was performed in a frame of speciality “Astronomy” on the department of astronomy of the physical department. Admission – 10 persons. The admission is performed also on commercial base. The winners of National Olympiads and winners national competitions of Minor Academy of Sciences have admission preferences. The students will get the diploma of bachelor by speciality “Physics” after four years of teaching and after one year else – the diploma of master’s degree in Astronomy. The astronomy students get the fundamental training by the general and theoretical physics, mathematics, computer sciences and they study the spherical astronomy, position astronomy, celestial mechanics, general and theoretical astrophysics, stellar and extragalactic astronomy, computer sciences in astronomy, methods of astronomical researches, cosmology, perform three educational practical works and two research practical works in SRI of Astronomy and Chuguev Observation Station, Institute of Radio Astronomy of NASU, Nikolaev Astronomical Observatory, Crimean Astrophysical Observatory and Main Astronomical Observatory of NASU. Since 2008 in department of astronomy specialization «Space computer sciences» was created. Main topic is to teach students to process the great volumes of science information using new computer technologies. In the end of the teaching the students fulfil and defend the diploma of the Master’s degree in different field of Astronomy with using new information technologies. The departament (with SRI of Astronomy) has the postgraduate teaching on specialties “Heliophysics and Solar System Physics”, Astrophysics and Radio Astronomy” and “Positional Astronomy and Celestial Mechanics”.

Members of Department of Astronomy

Lower row from left to right: head of Department A. M. Gretsky, professor N. N. Evsjukov, engineer V. I. Latsko, professor Yu. V. Alexandrov, professor Yu. G. Shkuratov.

Upper row from left to right: assistant professor P. N. Fedorov, assistant professor V. A. Zahozhaj, assistant professor V. G. Shevchenko, assistant professor D. G. Stankevich.

For last ten years the next teaching books were wrote:

  1. Alexandrov Yu.V. Introduction to cosmonautics. 2009.
  2. 200 Anniversary of astronomy in Kharkiv University. 2008.
  3. Alexandrov Yu.V. Bases of Multydimentions Cosmology. 2007.
  4. Shkuratov Yu.G. The Moon: distant and near. 2006.
  5. Alexandrov Yu.V. Celestial Mechanics. 2006.
  6. Alexandrov Yu.V., Gretsky À.Ì., Prishliak Ì.Ï. Astronomy.The book for teacher. 2005.
  7. Alexandrov Yu.V., Pavlenko P.P., Lupishko Ò.À. Three language dictionary for astronomy. 2005.
  8. Alexandrov Yu.V. Bases of Relativistic Cosmology. 2004.
  9. Alexandrov Yu.V. Celestial Mechanics. 2004.
  10. Evsjukov N.N., Alexandrov Yu.V. Chemistry and Geology of Planets. 2000.
  11. Alexandrov Yu.V. Astronomy. History – methodology sketch. 1999.

Publication List of Astronomy Department in 2008-2009.

PRINCIPAL COURSES

General astronomy

Spherical astronomy

Positional astronomy

Celestial mechanics

General astrophysics

Theoretical astrophysics

Stellar astronomy

Principles of ecology

Methods of astronomical researches

Theory of probability and mathematical statistics

Computer sciences

Computer sciences in astronomy

Cosmology

History and methodology of astronomy

Method and organization of scientific work

Method of astronomical teaching in high school

Protection of labor in astronomy

ASTRONOMY SPECIAL COURSES

Physics of stars

Physics of planets

Chemistry and geology of planets

Introduction to cosmonautics

Structure and evolution of Galaxy

New methods in positional astronomy

Stars and substars evolution

Infrared astronomy

Extragalactic astronomy

Optics of planetary surfaces

Problems of modern astrophysics

SPECIAL PRACTICAL WORKS

TEACHING PRACTICES