Preconditions for construction of observatory in the Kiev university named after St. Vladimir (to the 170th anniversary of foundation)

Размещено на http://www.allbest.ru/

УДК 520.1: 378.4(477-25)

Preconditions for construction of observatory in the Kiev university named after St. Vladimir (to the 170th anniversary of foundation)

Salata S.A.

(Centre of Monumentology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine

and Ukrainian Society for Preservation of Historic and Cultural Monuments)

В 2015 году научная общественность нашей страны будет отмечать 170-летие основания при Киевском университете Св. Владимира Астрономической обсерватории.

В данной статье кратко изложены предпосылки открытия университета в Киеве (шестого на территории царской России). Показана роль известного учено- го-астронома В. Ф. Федорова (первого директора) в решении вопроса о необходимости организации обсерватории. Освещена его деятельность в содружестве со знаменитым архитектором В.И. Беретти в выборе территории и строительстве самой обсерватории.

Ключевые слова: астрономия, обсерватория, университет.

In 2015 the scientific community of our country will celebrate the 170th anniversary of foundation of the Astronomic Observatory in the Kiev University of St. Vladimir.

The article gives a short overview of preconditions of the Kiev University opening (sixth on the territory of the Russian Empire). The role offamous astronomer-scientist V.F. Fedorov (the first director) is exposed in decision making on the necessity of organization of observatory. His activity in cooperation with the civil architect V.I. Beretti in the choice of the territory and construction of the observatory as well is also shown.

Keywords: astronomy, observatory, university

In 2015 the scientific community of our country will celebrate the 170th anniversary of foundation of the Astronomic Observatory in the Kiev University of St. Vladimir. observatory university astronomer scientist

The article gives a short overview of preconditions of the Kiev University founding (the sixth on the territory of the Russian Empire). The role of the famous astronomer-scientist V.F. Fedorov (the first director) is exposed in decision making on the necessity of organization of observatory. His activity in cooperation with the civil architect V.I. Beretti in the choice of the territory and construction of the observatory as well is also shown.

In 2015 the scientific community of Observatory of the Kiev University named our country celebrates the 170th anniver- after St. Vladimir (for now Kiev National sary of the foundation of the Astronomic University named after Taras Shevchenko) - one of the oldest observatories in Ukraine and leading astronomic institutions of the country.

On the eve of the anniversary, it is appropriate to refer to the history of the foundation of Kiev University and pre-conditions for construction of Astronomic Observatory.

Prior to the opening of the Kiev Uni-versity of St. Vladimir there were two uni-versities on the territory of contemporary Ukraine: the oldest - in Lviv (1661) and in Kharkov (1804) [1, p 250, 254]

Back in 1767 the issue of organization of the University of Kiev had risen. The problem of establishment of the university in Kiev was discussed again in the early 19th century, in 1805, but due to a number of reasons, one of which was underestimation of polonisation of the Right Bank Ukraine by tsarist government, this project was destined to fail for more than 30 years. The catalyst for decisive action for the establishment of an educational institution in Kyiv was a suppression of the Polish uprising of 1830-1831, after which the tsarist government changed its policy towards the region. The effect was the implementation of repression measures, such as closing of schools teaching in Polish and opening of Russian schools instead of Polish [2; 3, С. 14-15].

In October 30, 1833 the Minister of Education, Earl S.S. Uvarov refered to the Russian Emperor Nicholas I with the pro-posal concerning his opinion on the opening of the University of Kiev.

The Kyiv University was established based on the vision of the Minister of Ed-ucation Earl S. Uvarov, who completely and clearly defined the purpose and the goal of education in the southwestern part of the Russian Empire. The main reason for the establishment of the University in Kiev is explained by the previous condition of education in the region. Until 1830, all secondary and higher education in the southwest region was Polish by the language and by the main course of study. And according to the fact that education creates the intellectual class of society that are actively involved in all aspects of public and political life, it is not surprising that the whole region reminde d a Polish province. "Russian language could be rarely heard on this huge territory" - said Earl S. Uvarov since there were no numerous Russians standing behind higher and middle class education.

Polish system of public education was establish in 1770 by Polish Educational Commission and then secured in the province by Tadeusz Chatsky during the reign of the Emperor Alexander I. Ta- deusz Chatsky focused all his activities on establishment of a Gymnasium in Kremi- nets'. Opposing the opening of the University in Kiev in 1805, he defined a task to replace Gymnasium in Kremenets' by the University for all of the southwest region. After T. Chatsky's death in 1819, the Gymnasium was renamed to Volyn' Lyceum. In addition to the removal of Russian language from schools and penetration of Polish political ideals into education system it had significant internal defects, one of which was insertion of old noble lifestyle of self-governed Rzhech Pospolita into student's life. As a result of implementation of this educational system there was an active involvement of students into local politics. This process had the most powerful effect on Volyn' Lyceum and as a result the Polish movement appeared in 1831. Almost all educational institutions of in the southwest, compromised at the time, were closed. In-stead Russian schools were subsequently established.

In 1832 after suppression of the Polish uprising, Vilna University and Lyceum in Kremenets'were closed. Instead, the Univer-sity in Kyiv was established [4 , p 21]. From the government's perspective the Kiev Uni-versity had to foster depolonizatsiyi and rus-sification of the region. In 1833 the decree was issued on the organization of the new

University of Kyiv established on material base of the Volyn' Lyceum. Actually 1833 is the year of the founding of the Kiev Univer-sity as an institution of higher education [5 , p 217 ]. It was decided to move Volyn' Ly-ceum from Kreminets' to Kyiv and then convert it into the university that was ap-proved by its Charter from December 25, 1833 [ 6, p 2-3 ]. Since that time, largest number of vacancies for officials in the Uni-versity were replaced, including the Depart-ments of Philosophy on the Faculty [7, p.7].

With the opening of the Kiev Univer-sity (6thuniversity in tsar's Russia) the gov-ernment firmly held education process in its hands and in addition monopolized all as-pects of public life. Family and church as well as other traditional institutions were separated from education [3, p 15].

Therefore, the Volyn' Lyceum that was later moved from Kreminets' to Kiev was undoubtedly a predecessor of the University of St. Vladimir [11 , p 61-62 ]. The University of St. Vladimir, according to the Emperor's decree from November 8, 1833, was established to Kyiv, Volyn' and Podolia provinces. This institution of higher education for a long time remained a cultural center for residents of those provinces. From this perspective, the insti-tution replaced the Volyn' Lyceum with the only difference that teaching there was conducted in Russian and it was no longer a provider of Polish culture [12 , p 47].

One of the reasons for establishment of the University in Kiev, as stated in the Jubilee Act of the Imperial University of St. Vladimir, was to use the power of European science to bring together and reconcile different elements of population, flatten his-torical misunderstandings and create ties to the Southwest region. Kyiv city was chosen as the focal point of the southwest Rus' and the main historic site that established a powerful Russian state [10, p 12-25].

Preparation for the opening of the University in Kiev have been deployed since the beginning of 1834, but problems could not be avoided. The difficulties encountered during the preparation were provoked by extreme disorder of Kyiv in 1830. In particular, existing buildings were mainly wooden and located mainly in Podil or Pechersk. There was no structure in the city big enough to embrace such an institution as the University.

Therefore, in the early days the Uni-versity in Kyiv had room for teaching. Lec-tures were held in rented private buildings [9, p 44], where audience was placed and the Council of the University had its meeting. To provide storage for the library and collections brought from Kreminets, sheds and barns were used [8, p 21]. The first classes at the University of St. Vladimir started in August, 28 (September 9) of 1834. The Faculty of Philosophy was the first one that started to work since it had almost everything required. The Faculty of Law started to operate a year later [3, p 16].

On July 31, 1837 a solemn laying of a building of the university took place. In July 1842 the University moved into a new, yet unfinished building. The university building was completed in 1843 [5, p 217].

The Charter of 1833 was temporary and had a 4-year validity. The Charter of 1833 was officially called "a project" even after its approval [11 , p 66]. In 1838 the validity of the Charter was again extended for 4 years. The opening of the Medical Faculty as well as a number of other im-portant objectives required an urgent adoption of a new charter. Therefore, in 1842 a new special charter for the University of St. Vladimir was adopted, while other institutions had a long operated charter that was general for all Russian universities. Charter of 1842 was an attempt to integrate German university orders in Russian foundation [ 6, p 6].

The moment of the beginning of the University of St. Vladimir operation is dif-ficult to determine with sufficient accuracy. For it, four major events can be considered: 1) Identification of the Russian Emperor's will to create a university in Kiev (decree of November, 8th 1833); 2) approval of the Charter and the Personnel of the University (December, 25 1833); 3) the opening of the University through a public act (July, 15 1834); 4) the beginning of lectures at the university (August, 28 1834). Namely, the legal establishment of the University dated with December 25, 1833, and factual - with July, 15 1834 [11, p 9].

Since its activity started with the opening of lectures, the history and life of the University should be dated from Sep-tember 1834 [6, p 2]. During the opening speech it was mentioned that universities, in addition to the overall impact on modern educated people, have a goal to serve as repositories for monuments of worldwide success of a human mind. Along with those monuments historical records of the University and names of those who worked for the great deed will be inherited by grateful successors [7 , p 13].

62 students graduated from the University during the first year of study. Philosophic Faculty, organized as the first one, was divided into two sections: History and Philology, Physics and Mathematics. The first section taught following subjects: History, Literature, and other humanities; the second - Physics, Mathematics, Astronomy and Chemistry. A year later, the Faculty of Law was opened, and in 1841 - the Medical Faculty. At that time teaching was conducted in Russian, French and Latin [9, p 44].

The second section of the Faculty of Philosophy according to the Charter of 1833 consisted of eight departments: 1) Pure and Applied Mathematics; 2) Astronomy; 3) Physics and Physical Geography; 4) Chem-istry; 5) Mineralogy and Geognosy; 6) Bot-any; 7) Zoology; 8) Technology of Agricul-ture, Forestry and Architecture [11 , p 72].

In 1835 the Personnel of the University was approved. According to this document Department of Astrology was organized as a part of the Department of Physics and Mathematics of the Faculty of Philosophy. The Astronomy, initially was taught irregularly by different teachers of Physics and Mathematics, until the end of 1837 when professor V.F. Fedorov (1802-1855) came to the department [11, p 72]. The position of a Head of the Department was vacant for several years. In 1838 he took the office [8, p 22]/

Vasyl Fedorov graduated from Dor- pat (now Tartu, Estonia) University in 1827; he was a student of the founder and the first director of Pulkovo Observatory V.Y. Struve. Before moving to Kyiv V. Fedorov worked at Tartu Observatory as astronomer and observer, in 1829 he joined the expedition of F. Parrot and took gravimetric measurement on Caucasus, he devoted more than 4 years to determination of geographic coordinates of a number of points in Western Siberia [13 , p 72].

In 1838 V.F. Fedorov defended his doctoral dissertation entitled "On Deter-mination of Accurate Geographical Location of Sites Seen on Significant Distance", and then he was approved as a Doctor of Mathematics and a Full Professor of Astronomy [14, p 796-799; 15].

Since the early 1840's, teaching of Astronomy at the University was put on pretty solid ground. V. Fedorov at that time was considered to be one of the best teachers of the department [16 , p 386].

On the Department of Astronomy, Professor V. Fedorov taught Theoretical and Practical Astronomy. For teaching of Theoretical Astronomy, professor used his own notes, guided mainly by astronomy of Bonenberher. After an introduction to the science he explained the rules to operation with tools to determine time and measure angles, provided explanation with astro-nomical terms to apparent rotational motion of the celestial sphere. Then sections fol-lowed: a) on the type and shape of the Earth and of the astronomical refraction; b) on the proper motion of the Sun and the Moon and of phenomena, which showed that these bodies are spherical and in rotational mo-tion; d) about planets with their moons and comets; d ) on aberration of light.

Practical Astronomy was taught by Vasily Fedorovich based on his personal records and guided mainly by academic lectures of V.Y. Struve. The professor taught how to determine time, height of pole, longitude. At the end of each semester the teacher organized practical sessions. Moreover, under his supervision students were involved in carrying out practical as-tronomical observations [16, p 441 ].

18th and early 19th century are char-acterized by great achievements in the fields of Astronomy and Geodesy, caused by the need to address important practical problems, had a great impact on the overall progress of human culture. At the time there was a necessity to establish research centers in Russia to resolve astronomical and geodetic problems that would correspond to the urgent needs of a great country [17, p 20].

Specific feature of Astronomy as a science is a necessity of systematic obser-vation and fixation of results, since only under this condition certain conclusions about patterns of astronomical phenomena can be made. This is the purpose of astro-nomical observatory.

The first university observatory on the territory of Ukraine was established in 1769 at the University of Lviv [ 18].

The decision to establish an observa-tory for scientific and research work in Astronomy was made it time of preopera- tional work in organization of the University in Kiev, but its implementation was postpone due to some objectives. One of these reasons was the absence of expert astronomers in Kiev at that time [19] After all, the Astronomical Observatory of Kiev University was established in 1845 by Professor V. Fedorov, one of disciples of the outstanding astronomers of the 19th century V.Y. Struve (Director of the Pulkovo Observatory) [20, p 15].

In a short time after arriving to Kyiv in 1838 V.F. Fedorov raised a question of the establishment of permanent well equipped astronomical observatory at the University. During the time of a project development and construction, the administration of the University in 1840 decided to establish a temporary observatory, designed by professor V.F. Fedorov [20 , p.23].

In 1838, at the initiative of V. Fedorov, astronomical cabinet was held at the University. The cabinet consisted of devices that were transferred from the Physical and Architectural cabinets [21]. It also contained instruments that were brought to Kyiv by V.F. Fedorov in 1838 and tools that he used during expeditions in the Caucasus and Siberia [ 19; 22; 23]. Those tools contained: chronometers (stationary of Gaut and handheld of Kessels), mirror sextant of Hilbert, scale compass, barometer, midday tube of Oertel. The administration of the University counted those tools as the property of the institution and allocated to V.F. Fedorov "70 rubles for their setting, and 225 rubles for establishing chronometers" [9 , p 62; 24 , p 5; 25].

At the end of 1839 the Astronomical cabinet included 48 devices suitable and un-suitable for use. The cost of the cabinet was 5500 rubles in silver [21]. The number of in-struments was enlarged frequently. Accord-ing to the archive notes for 1841, the cabinet contained 51 object for educational and sci-entific purposes. In addition to the men-tioned above, It included "10 Azimuth in-struments, 6 visual tubes, 2 levels, 3 barome-ters, 4 magnetic tools, model for showing heliocentric system and planetary motion , model for demonstration of the Earth rota-tion, 12 maps of the sky, 2 general maps of the lunar surface" [9, p 63].

Astronomical cabinet established by V.F. Fedorov was useful in the organization of training for the students. But pedagogical experience of Vasily Fedorovich proved the necessity for practical training. He believed that the astronomic cabinet was insufficient basis for practice. Due to the delay in the construction of a permanent observatory, V.F. Fedorov decided to build a small tem-porary observatory, which would allow to conduct practical classes with students in appropriate conditions [26].

A temporary observatory consisted of a platform made of wood and a small wooden tower on it that would rotate hori-zontally on 4 blocks. The cost of the con-struction, by the estimation of architect Grigorenko, was up to 217 rubles and 54 kopecks in silver [20 , p.23 ].

Construction of temporary observa-tory was completed in early June 1841 "on the yard of a captain Cort" [27]. The house of captain Cort and yard with all buildings where rented by the University before the construction of its own facilities was com-pleted [20 , p 24]. Manor of captain Cort was locatd in the southern part of modern Mariinsky Park, on a site where a house on Hrushevska str., 9 stands now [28].

All the preparatory work for the con-struction of the observatory was established under personal supervision of V.F. Fedorov. At the same time he had to not only determine the astronomical location of the main building, but also personally participate in its construction.

To design of the observatory and selection of site for its construction Prof. V. Fedorov considered disadvantages that were identified in organization of Observatory in Petersburg Academy of Sciences, settled on 4th to 6th floor of the building of the Cabinet of Curiosities. Devices installed in the ob-servatory did not have a strong foundation, so the traffic vibration caused errors in measurements. St. Petersburg has many cloudy days that does not help to conduct research a year round. V.F. Fedorov also considered the foreign experience of observatories construction, in particular, not to build observatories in areas where groundwater comes close to the surface [29].

Since the establishment of a perma-nent astronomical observatory was pre-supposed by the project of the university, architect V. Beretti, who was responsible for the construction, came up with proposal to expand the street on the opposite side of which (in front of the main fa$ade of the University) the observatory was planned to be built in the shape of the monument to St. Vladimir. However, after proposal was discussed on the Council of the University the architect had to leave the idea of construction of a separate building for the observatory. Under the new plan, he proposed to place it in a circular towers over the central part of the west facade, facing to the botanical garden.

V.F. Fedorov reviewed the project and refered to the University Council with a detailed representation "On Necessities of Astronomic Observatory". In the paper he provided detailed description of what requirements must the building meet, where it is better to place it and also puts convincing objections not to placing the observatory in the main building of the University. The University Council con-sidered the submissions of V.F. Fedorov and agreed with his proposal. After a long discussion on the location of observatory V. Beretta and V. Fedorov made a final choice: a defensive fortress on the 18th century site, on the western outskirts of Kyiv, Kudryavets', which is located on a small hill and surrounded by old rampart on two sides. The project of the observatory building was designed by V. Beretti according to sketches of V.F. Fedorov [30, p 317].

Complicated and contentious process of establishment of the Kiev University as a qualitatively new educational institution created opportunities for organization of Astronomical Observatory, provided all preconditions for its construction. Though all time of observatory operation scientific achievements and activities of astronomers in almost all fields of astronomy - from astrometry to cosmology - were recognized worldwide and continued by the current team of the research center.

Notes

1. Очерки истории отечественной астрономии: С древнейших времен до начала ХХ в. / Гребеников Е.А., Огородников К.Ф., Климишин И.А. и др.; Отв. ред. И.А. Климишин; АН Украины. Центр исследований науч.-техн. потенциала и истории науки им. Г.М. Доброва. - К.: Наук. думка, 1992. - 512 с.

2. Псковський Д.В. Короткий нарис розвитку астрономії в Київському університеті / Д.В. Пясковський // Наукові записки. Київський державний університет ім. Т.Г. Шевченка. Т. 13. Зб. фізичного факультету, №8. - К.: Вид-во Київ. держ. ун-ту, 1955. - С. 21-28.

3. З іменем Святого Володимира У 2 кн. Кн. 1. / Упоряд. В. Короткий, В. Улья-новський. - К., Заповіт, 1994. - 398 с.

4. Пясковський Д.В. Развитие астро-номии в Киевском университете / Д. В. Пяс- ковский // Историко-астрономические ис-следования. Вып. 1. - М.: Гос. изд-во техн.- теор. лит-ры, 1955. - С. 149-188.

5. Грицай М. Будинок університету ім. Т.Г. Шевченка в Києві (пам'ятник архітектури ХІХ ст.) / М. Грицай // З іменем Святого Володимира У 2 кн. Кн. 1. / Упо- ряд. В. Короткий, В. Ульяновський. - К., Заповіт, 1994. - С. 217-222.

6. Пятидесятилетие Императорского университета Св. Владимира. 1834-1884. Речь, произнесенная на юбилейном акте университета ордин. проф. М.Ф. Владимирским-Будановым. - Киев: В типографии Императорского университета Св. Владимира, 1884. - С. 2-3, 6.

7. Записка и речи, читаные при открытии Императорского Университета Св. Владимира, 15 июля 1834 года. - Киев: В Университетской Типографии, 1840. - 119 с.

8. Пам'ятки історії та культури України: Каталог-довідник. Зошит 2: Каталог- довідник пам' яток історії та культури України: м. Київ / Горбик В. О. (кер. автор. колект.), Гаврилюк Л.О., Денисенко Г.Г., Катаргіна Т.І., Титова О. М., Пархоменко М. Т., Федорова Л.Д., Чешко В.М. - К., 2010. - 277 с.

9. Казанцева Л. Київське вікно у Все-світ / Л. Казанцева, В. Кислюк. - К.: Наш час, 2006. - 183 с.

10. Юбилейный акт Императорского университета Св. Владимира. 3 сентября 1884 г. - К.: Тип. Императорского университета Св. Владимира, 1885. - 304 с.

11. История Императорского универ-ситета Св. Владимира. Составил ордин. проф. М. Ф. Владимирский-Буданов. Т. І. Университет Св. Владимира в царствование Императора Николая Павловича. - Киев: В типографии Императорского университета Св. Владимира, 1884. - 300 с.

12. Василенко М.П. Кременецький ліцей і Університет Св. Володимира: істори- ко-юридична розвідка / М. П. Василенко. - К.: 2011.- 49 с.

13. Федоров Василь Федорович // Рек-тори Київського університету. 1834-2006. /

B. В. Скопенко, В. А. Короткий, Т. В. Табен- ська та ін. - К.: Либідь, 2006. - С. 72-75.

14. Федоров Василий Федорович // Биографический словарь профессоров и преподавателей Императорского университета Св. Владимира. 1834-1884. / Сост. и издан под ред. В.С. Иконникова. - К.: Тип. Импер. ун-та, 1884. - 818 с.

15. Перель Ю.Г. Русский астроном- путешественник Василий Федорович Федоров (1802-1855) / Ю.Г. Перель // Астрономический журнал. - 1953. - Т. ХХХ. - №1. -

C. 107-110.

16. История Императорского универ-ситета Св. Владимира. Составил ордин. проф. М.Ф. Владимирский-Буданов. Т. ІІ. Университет Св. Владимира в царствование Императора Николая Павловича. - Киев: В типографии Императорского университета Св. Владимира, 1884. - С. 301-528.

17. Всехсвятский С.К. Сто лет Киевской астрономической обсерватории / С. К. Всехсвятский // Публікації Київської Аст-рономічної обсерваторії. - Київ - Львів. - 1946. - №1. - С. 19-28.

18. Головко М.В. Вітчизняна астроно-мічна наука: історія зародження та розвитку / М.В. Головко // Пульсар. - 2000. - №1. - С. 52-59.

19. Астрономічна обсерваторія // Ки-ївський університет імені Тараса Шевченка. Сторінки історії і сьогодення. - К.: Видавничо-поліграфічний центр «Київський університет», 1994. - С. 222-229.

20. Богородський О. Ф. Астрономічна обсерваторія Київського університету імені Тараса Шевченка. Історичний нарис. / О. Ф.

Богородський, М.Я. Чернега // Астрономічна обсерваторія Київського університету імені Тараса Шевченка. 150 років. - К.: ВПЦ «Київський університет», 1995. - С. 13-121.

21. Шульгин В. История университета Св. Владимира / В. Шульгин. - СПб.: Тип. Рюмина и Комп., Торговая, 17, 1860. - С.221-222.

22. Дело Канцелярии Попечителя КУО по второму столу за 1938 г. // Рук. копія - Музей КАО.

23. Дело правления университета Св. Владимира №165 от 1838 г. // Рук. копія - Музей КАО.

24. Богородский А.Ф. Создание Ас-трономической обсерватории Киевского университета и начало ее научной деятельности / А.Ф. Богородский, И.А. Чернега // Астрономия, Вып. 21. Вестн. Киев. ун-та. - К.: Издательское объединение «Вища школа», 1979. - С 3-15.

25. Дані до річного звіту про стан та дії Імператорського університету Св. Володимира за 1841 р. Звіт по астрономічному кабінету. // Рук. копія - Музей КАО.

26. Дело №205 за 1840 г. Совета импе-раторского университета Св. Владимира // Рук. копія - Музей КАО.

27. ДАМК. - Ф. 16. - О. 279. - Од. зб. 205. - Арк. 18.

28. Макаров Анатолий. Были и небы-лицы старого Киева / Анатолий Макаров. - К.: СкайХорс, 2013. - С. 156.

29. Ченакал В.Л. Два неизвестных проекта обсерватории Петербурзкой академии наук, относящейся к середине XVIII в. / В. Л. Ченакал // ИАИ. - 1955. - Вып. І. - С. 9-48.

30. Володимир Єфіменко Крізь терни - до зірок. Астрономічна обсерваторія. / Во-лодимир Єфіменко // Нариси історії Київського національного університету імені Тараса Шевченка / В.В. Різун, М.С. Тимош- ник, А.Є. Конверський та ін.; Передм. В.В. Скопенка. - К.: Наша культура і наука, 2004. - С. 316-334.

Размещено на Allbest.ru