Pavel Petrovich Parenago
Encyclopedia
Pavel Petrovich Parenago (20 March 1906 – 5 January 1960) was a Soviet
scientist, astronomer
, and professor. He served as the head of the Department of Stellar Astronomy at M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University
and a Corresponding Member of the Soviet Academy of Sciences
.
, present-day Russia
. He completed his middle school education in Moscow in 1922, having begun scientific work while still in senior classes. He went on to graduate from Moscow State University in 1929 as a trained and qualified scientist.
based primarily on star data. He and a colleague, B.V. Kukarkin, began an extensive compilation of variable star
data. During his studies, Parenago observed approximately 3,000 stars in the Orion nebula
region of the galaxy, the nearest star creating region to the Sun
.
Parenago then assumed a post at Moscow University as reader in stellar astronomy, becoming the first person to teach a lecture course on the subject of galactic astronomy in the Soviet Union in 1934. In 1939, he gained full professorship and organized the Department of Stellar Astronomy, which he was named head of in 1940. Parenago then authored a textbook entitled Course in Stellar Astronomy.
In 1940, Parenago began investigating the absorption of light in interstellar space
, during which he made discoveries relevant to this area of research. He also had an avid interest in amateur astronomy
and published works and lectured in order to educate the public on the subject. He performed research on dwarf stars, hoping to find a cause for their unusual velocities, as well as the dynamics of star systems.
After being elected Corresponding Member of the Academy of Sciences in 1953, he became the first person to be awarded the Bredikhin Prize, an award founded by the Academy, in 1954.
In the later part of his life, Parenago spent much of his time revising his earlier works until his death in 1960 after an illness lasting several years.
for contributions to Soviet science. An asteroid, 2484 Parenago
, and a lunar
crater, Parenago
, are named after him.
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
scientist, astronomer
Astronomer
An astronomer is a scientist who studies celestial bodies such as planets, stars and galaxies.Historically, astronomy was more concerned with the classification and description of phenomena in the sky, while astrophysics attempted to explain these phenomena and the differences between them using...
, and professor. He served as the head of the Department of Stellar Astronomy at M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University
Moscow State University
Lomonosov Moscow State University , previously known as Lomonosov University or MSU , is the largest university in Russia. Founded in 1755, it also claims to be one of the oldest university in Russia and to have the tallest educational building in the world. Its current rector is Viktor Sadovnichiy...
and a Corresponding Member of the Soviet Academy of Sciences
Russian Academy of Sciences
The Russian Academy of Sciences consists of the national academy of Russia and a network of scientific research institutes from across the Russian Federation as well as auxiliary scientific and social units like libraries, publishers and hospitals....
.
Early life and education
Pavel Petrovich Parenago was born into the family of a physician on 20 March 1906, in KrasnodarKrasnodar
Krasnodar is a city in Southern Russia, located on the Kuban River about northeast of the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk. It is the administrative center of Krasnodar Krai . Population: -Name:...
, present-day Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
. He completed his middle school education in Moscow in 1922, having begun scientific work while still in senior classes. He went on to graduate from Moscow State University in 1929 as a trained and qualified scientist.
Research
In 1932, Parenago began studies of the structure and kinematics of the Milky WayMilky Way
The Milky Way is the galaxy that contains the Solar System. This name derives from its appearance as a dim un-resolved "milky" glowing band arching across the night sky...
based primarily on star data. He and a colleague, B.V. Kukarkin, began an extensive compilation of variable star
Variable star
A star is classified as variable if its apparent magnitude as seen from Earth changes over time, whether the changes are due to variations in the star's actual luminosity, or to variations in the amount of the star's light that is blocked from reaching Earth...
data. During his studies, Parenago observed approximately 3,000 stars in the Orion nebula
Orion Nebula
The Orion Nebula is a diffuse nebula situated south of Orion's Belt. It is one of the brightest nebulae, and is visible to the naked eye in the night sky. M42 is located at a distance of and is the closest region of massive star formation to Earth. The M42 nebula is estimated to be 24 light...
region of the galaxy, the nearest star creating region to the Sun
Sun
The Sun is the star at the center of the Solar System. It is almost perfectly spherical and consists of hot plasma interwoven with magnetic fields...
.
Parenago then assumed a post at Moscow University as reader in stellar astronomy, becoming the first person to teach a lecture course on the subject of galactic astronomy in the Soviet Union in 1934. In 1939, he gained full professorship and organized the Department of Stellar Astronomy, which he was named head of in 1940. Parenago then authored a textbook entitled Course in Stellar Astronomy.
In 1940, Parenago began investigating the absorption of light in interstellar space
Interstellar Space
Interstellar Space was one of the final studio albums recorded by the saxophonist John Coltrane before his death in 1967, originally-released posthumously by Impulse! Records on LP in 1974.-Composition:...
, during which he made discoveries relevant to this area of research. He also had an avid interest in amateur astronomy
Amateur astronomy
Amateur astronomy, also called backyard astronomy and stargazing, is a hobby whose participants enjoy watching the night sky , and the plethora of objects found in it, mainly with portable telescopes and binoculars...
and published works and lectured in order to educate the public on the subject. He performed research on dwarf stars, hoping to find a cause for their unusual velocities, as well as the dynamics of star systems.
After being elected Corresponding Member of the Academy of Sciences in 1953, he became the first person to be awarded the Bredikhin Prize, an award founded by the Academy, in 1954.
In the later part of his life, Parenago spent much of his time revising his earlier works until his death in 1960 after an illness lasting several years.
Recognition
Parenago was awarded the Order of LeninOrder of Lenin
The Order of Lenin , named after the leader of the Russian October Revolution, was the highest decoration bestowed by the Soviet Union...
for contributions to Soviet science. An asteroid, 2484 Parenago
2484 Parenago
2484 Parenago is a main-belt asteroid discovered on October 7, 1928 by Grigory Neujmin at Simeis and named for the Russian astronomer Pavel Petrovich Parenago.- External links :*...
, and a lunar
Moon
The Moon is Earth's only known natural satellite,There are a number of near-Earth asteroids including 3753 Cruithne that are co-orbital with Earth: their orbits bring them close to Earth for periods of time but then alter in the long term . These are quasi-satellites and not true moons. For more...
crater, Parenago
Parenago (crater)
Parenago is an impact crater on the Moon'sfar side, behind the eastern limb. Nearly attached to the east-southeastern outer rim of Parengo is the crater Berkner. To the south-southwest lies Comrie....
, are named after him.