Development of optical telescope in Russia: milestones in history

Authors: Nezhibitskiy I.А.
Published in issue: #12(29)/2018
DOI: 10.18698/2541-8009-2018-12-419
Category: Humanities | Chapter: Historical Sciences and Archaeology
Keywords: telescope, research, refractor, optics, astronomy, Pulkovo observatory, Crimean observatory, Special astrophysical observatory, BTA — Big Telescope Alt-azimuth
Published: 27.12.2018

The text deals with the history of the appearance of optical telescopes and the stages of their development. The paper is concerned with stages of the formation of optical schemes of telescopes. The authors showed the basic information about the appearance of the first observatories in Russia and the formation of the central scientific astrophysical centers. The authors point out the role of prominent scientists who have made a significant contribution to the design features of an optical telescope: M.V. Lomonosov, A.A. Chikina, N.G. Ponomareva, D.D. Maksutova, and others. In this paper the authors showed the development of domestic optical glass production is traced and the main stages of the creation of the BTA — Big Telescope Alt-azimuth. In conclusion the paper points out the results, problems and prospects of the long-term development of this field of optical physics at the present stage.

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