Viktor Safronov
Encyclopedia
Viktor Sergeevich Safronov (born Velikie Luki, Russia, 11 October 1917 - died Moscow 18 September 1999) was a Soviet
astronomer
who put forward the low-mass-nebula model of planet formation, a consistent picture of how the planet
s formed from a disk of gas and dust around the Sun
.
in 1941. He defended a dissertation for the Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences in 1968. His scientific interests were planetary cosmogony
, astrophysics
and geophysics
.
His planetesimal
hypothesis of planet formation is still widely accepted among astronomers, although alternative theories exist (such as the gravitational fragmentation of the protoplanetary disk
directly into planets).
A minor planet
3615 Safronov
, discovered by US-American
astronomer Edward L. G. Bowell
in 1983 is named after him. Safronov's work is discussed at length in the BBC documentary The Planets (TV miniseries)
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
astronomer
Astronomer
An astronomer is a scientist who studies celestial bodies such as planets, stars and galaxies.Historically, astronomy was more concerned with the classification and description of phenomena in the sky, while astrophysics attempted to explain these phenomena and the differences between them using...
who put forward the low-mass-nebula model of planet formation, a consistent picture of how the planet
Planet
A planet is a celestial body orbiting a star or stellar remnant that is massive enough to be rounded by its own gravity, is not massive enough to cause thermonuclear fusion, and has cleared its neighbouring region of planetesimals.The term planet is ancient, with ties to history, science,...
s formed from a disk of gas and dust around the Sun
Sun
The Sun is the star at the center of the Solar System. It is almost perfectly spherical and consists of hot plasma interwoven with magnetic fields...
.
Biography and legacy
Safronov graduated from Moscow State University Department of Mechanics and MathematicsMSU Department of Mechanics and Mathematics
The MSU Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics is one of the most esteemed faculties of Moscow State University, widely regarded by students as one of the toughest faculties in the university.-Brief history:...
in 1941. He defended a dissertation for the Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences in 1968. His scientific interests were planetary cosmogony
Cosmogony
Cosmogony, or cosmogeny, is any scientific theory concerning the coming into existence or origin of the universe, or about how reality came to be. The word comes from the Greek κοσμογονία , from κόσμος "cosmos, the world", and the root of γίνομαι / γέγονα "to be born, come about"...
, astrophysics
Astrophysics
Astrophysics is the branch of astronomy that deals with the physics of the universe, including the physical properties of celestial objects, as well as their interactions and behavior...
and geophysics
Geophysics
Geophysics is the physics of the Earth and its environment in space; also the study of the Earth using quantitative physical methods. The term geophysics sometimes refers only to the geological applications: Earth's shape; its gravitational and magnetic fields; its internal structure and...
.
His planetesimal
Planetesimal
Planetesimals are solid objects thought to exist in protoplanetary disks and in debris disks.A widely accepted theory of planet formation, the so-called planetesimal hypothesis of Viktor Safronov, states that planets form out of cosmic dust grains that collide and stick to form larger and larger...
hypothesis of planet formation is still widely accepted among astronomers, although alternative theories exist (such as the gravitational fragmentation of the protoplanetary disk
Protoplanetary disk
A protoplanetary disk is a rotating circumstellar disk of dense gas surrounding a young newly formed star, a T Tauri star, or Herbig Ae/Be star...
directly into planets).
A minor planet
Minor planet
An asteroid group or minor-planet group is a population of minor planets that have a share broadly similar orbits. Members are generally unrelated to each other, unlike in an asteroid family, which often results from the break-up of a single asteroid...
3615 Safronov
3615 Safronov
3615 Safronov is a main-belt asteroid discovered on November 29, 1983 by E. Bowell at Flagstaff .- External links :*...
, discovered by US-American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
astronomer Edward L. G. Bowell
Edward L. G. Bowell
Edward L. G. Bowell , known as "Ted", is an American astronomer. Bowell was educated at Emanuel School London, University College, London, and the Université de Paris....
in 1983 is named after him. Safronov's work is discussed at length in the BBC documentary The Planets (TV miniseries)
The Planets (TV miniseries)
The Planets is an educational miniseries produced by the BBC and A&E and released in 1999. It documents the Solar System and its nature, formation, and discovery by humans during the space age. The series of eight episodes includes a substantial amount of archival footage from both the United...
Awards
- Otto SchmidtOtto SchmidtOtto Yulyevich Schmidt was a Soviet scientist, mathematician, astronomer, geophysicist, statesman, academician, Hero of the USSR , and member of the Communist Party.-Biography:He was born in Mogilev, Russian Empire...
USSR Academy of Sciences Prize (1974) - Kuiper Prize in Planetary Science (1990)
List of selected publications
- Evolution of the Protoplanetary Cloud and Formation of the Earth and the Planets. Moscow: Nauka PressNaukaNauka is a Russian publisher of academic books and journals. Established in the USSR in 1923, it was called USSR Academy of Sciences Publisher until 1963. Until 1934 the publisher was based in Leningrad, then moved to Moscow. Its logo depicts an open book with Sputnik 1 above it.Nauka was the main...
, 1969. Trans. NASA TTF 677, 1972.
External links
- List of Gerard Kuiper award recipients at the website of American Astronomical SocietyAmerican Astronomical SocietyThe American Astronomical Society is an American society of professional astronomers and other interested individuals, headquartered in Washington, DC...
A short biography