Victor Hambartsumian facts for kids

Viktor Ambartsumian (Armenian: Վիկտոր Համբարձումյան) was a very important Armenian-Soviet scientist. He studied space and stars, which is called astrophysics. He was born on September 18, 1908, and passed away on August 12, 1996. He helped create a new way of thinking about how stars work.

A Brilliant Mind in Space Science

Viktor Ambartsumian was one of the first people to really understand theoretical astrophysics. This is a part of science that uses math and physics to explain how stars, galaxies, and the universe behave. He focused on the physics of stars and nebulae. Nebulae are giant clouds of dust and gas in space where new stars are born. He also studied how stars move and change over time.

Building a Place for Stars

One of his biggest achievements was starting the Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory in Armenia. This is a famous place where scientists use powerful telescopes to look at the universe. He was also a member of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Armenian National Academy of Sciences. He even served as the president of the Armenian Academy for many years, from 1947 to 1993.

Awards and Honors

Viktor Ambartsumian received many important awards for his amazing work. These awards show how much he contributed to science:

• He was named a Hero of Socialist Labor twice (in 1968 and 1978). This was a very high honor for his work in the Soviet Union.
• He became a National Hero of Armenia in 1994, which is the highest title in his home country.
• He won the Stalin Prize twice (in 1946 and 1950).
• In 1960, he received the Bruce medal, a very respected award in astronomy.
• He was also a winner of the State Prize of the Russian Federation in 1995.
• He won the Prix Jules Janssen, another important award for astronomers.

Images for kids

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  The Byurakan Observatory in 2008

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  Ambartsumian

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  Ambartsumian's house-museum in Byurakan, where he lived since around 1950 and died in 1996.

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  Ambartsumian's statue in Yerevan

See also

In Spanish: Víktor Hambardzumyan para niños