Famous astronomer Grigor Gurzadian dies at 92

Famous astronomer, a pioneer of space astronomy Grigor Gurzadian has died aged 92. He was academician of Armenia’ National Academy of Sciences and a member of the International Astronomical Union. By a decision of Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, a government commission headed by Education and Science Minister Armen Ashotian has been set up for organization of his funeral.

Grigor Gurzadian was born in 1922 in Baghdad.

He predicted magnetic fields in planetary nebulae in 1960s, which were actually discovered in 2005 (Jordan, Werner, O’Toole). He authored theoretical papers on flare stars (predicted negative infrared flares), interstellar matter, binary stars. In 1990s he developed the theory of common chromospheres (roundchromes) of close binary stars and of evolution of binary globular clusters.

For decades Gurzadian lectured in Yerevan State University (theoretical astrophysics, celestial mechanics) and in Yerevan Polytechnic Institute (precise mechanics).