Theoretical Astronomy, Institute of

Theoretical Astronomy, Institute of 

a scientific research institute of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR.

The institute is located in Leningrad and is involved in research on all theoretical and applied problems in celestial mechanics. One of its main functions is the publication of Astronomicheskii ezhegodnik SSSR (Astronomical Yearbook of the USSR) and other reference works in astronomy.

The institute was organized in 1919 as the Computational Institute of the All-Russian Astronomical Union. In 1923 it merged with the Institute for Astronomy and Geodesy (founded 1920) and was renamed the Institute of Astronomy. The range of problems studied at the institute was expanded to include celestial mechanics, gravimetry, astrophysics, and instrument making. Since 1943 the institute has conducted research in celestial mechanics and ephemeridal astronomy—hence its current name. In 1948, at the suggestion of the International Astronomical Union, the institute became an international center for the study of asteroids. Since 1957 the Institute for Theoretical Astronomy has also investigated the motion of artificial celestial bodies (seeASTRODYNAMICS). The institute has published Biulleten’ since 1924 and Trudy since 1952.

REFERENCES

Chebotarev, G. A. “Osnovnye etapy istorii Instituta teoreticheskoi astronomii AN SSSR.” Biull. In-ta teoreticheskoi astronomii, 1971, vol. 12, no. 9(142).
Lapteva, M. V. “Bibliografiia po istorii i deiatel’nosti Instituta teoreticheskoi astronomii za 50 let (1919–69).” Biull. In-ta teoreticheskoi astronomii, 1971, vol. 12, no. 9(142).

G. A. CHEBOTAREV