Vytautas Straižys
Encyclopedia
Vytautas Straižys is a Lithuanian astronomer
. In 1963-1965 he and his collaborators created and developed the Vilnius photometric system
- a seven color intermediate band system, optimized for photometric stellar classification. In 1996 he was elected a Corresponding Member of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences
. Straižys is an editor of the journal Baltic Astronomy
. He is currently working at the Molėtai Astronomical Observatory
. Asteroid 68730 Straizys
in 2002 was named after him.
. In 1992-1993 academic year: visiting professor in Union College
, Schenectady, New York.
of stars, stellar physical parameters, stellar classification
, interstellar extinction, interstellar clouds, star clusters, Galactic structure. One of the authors of the Vilnius photometric system for the classification of stars. In 1969-1990 conducted the construction of the Moletai Observatory in Lithuania
and its Maidanak station in Uzbekistan. Author of 324 scientific papers published in 1957-2009 and of three monographs: "Multicolor Stellar Photometry" (Vilnius, 1977, in Russian), "Metal-Deficient Stars" (Vilnius, 1982, in Russian) and "Multicolor Stellar Photometry" (Tucson, Arizona, 1992 and 1995, revised version, in English). In 1977-1991 editor of the "Bulletin of the Vilnius Astronomical Observatory", since 1992 editor of an international journal "Baltic Astronomy
". Scientific adviser of 22 doctoral dissertations.
Named after him
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...
. In 1963-1965 he and his collaborators created and developed the Vilnius photometric system
Vilnius photometric system
The Vilnius photometric system is a medium-band seven-colour photometric system , created in 1963 by Vytautas Straižys and his coworkers. This system was highly optimized for classification of stars from ground based observations...
- a seven color intermediate band system, optimized for photometric stellar classification. In 1996 he was elected a Corresponding Member of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences
Lithuanian Academy of Sciences
The Lithuanian Academy of Sciences or LAS, founded in 1941 as the Lithuanian SSR Academy of Sciences , as an autonomous, state-subsidized establishment serving as a scientific advisory body to the government of Lithuanian SSR...
. Straižys is an editor of the journal Baltic Astronomy
Baltic Astronomy
Baltic Astronomy is a quarterly peer-reviewed scientific journal published by the Institute of Theoretical Physics and Astronomy for astronomical institutions of the Baltic states. The journal was established in 1992. The journal covers all branches of astronomy and is sponsored by the Ministry...
. He is currently working at the Molėtai Astronomical Observatory
Moletai Astronomical Observatory
The Molėtai Astronomical Observatory is an astronomical observatory owned and operated by the Institute of Theoretical Physics and Astronomy of Lithuania...
. Asteroid 68730 Straizys
68730 Straizys
68730 Straizys is a main-belt asteroid discovered on March 15, 2002 by K. Černis and J. Zdanavičius at the Moletai Astronomical Observatory.- External links :*...
in 2002 was named after him.
Education and professional history
In 1959 - graduated from the Vilnius University in astrophysics. In 1959-1962 graduate student of the Institute of Physics and Mathematics of Lithuanian Academy of Sciences. In 1962-1967 scientific researcher in the same institute. In 1967-1990 head of the Astrophysical Department of the Institute of Physics, Vilnius. In 1990-2003 head of the Astronomical Observatory of the Institute of Theoretical Physics and Astronomy, Vilnius. In 1991-1996 Associate Director of the same Institute. Since 2003 - Chief researcher of the same institute, Vilnius UniversityVilnius University
Vilnius University is the oldest university in the Baltic states and one of the oldest in Eastern Europe. It is also the largest university in Lithuania....
. In 1992-1993 academic year: visiting professor in Union College
Union College
Union College is a private, non-denominational liberal arts college located in Schenectady, New York, United States. Founded in 1795, it was the first institution of higher learning chartered by the New York State Board of Regents. In the 19th century, it became the "Mother of Fraternities", as...
, Schenectady, New York.
Scientific activity
Main directions of the scientific research: multicolor photometryPhotometry
Photometry can refer to:* Photometry , the science of measurement of visible light in terms of its perceived brightness to human vision...
of stars, stellar physical parameters, stellar classification
Stellar classification
In astronomy, stellar classification is a classification of stars based on their spectral characteristics. The spectral class of a star is a designated class of a star describing the ionization of its chromosphere, what atomic excitations are most prominent in the light, giving an objective measure...
, interstellar extinction, interstellar clouds, star clusters, Galactic structure. One of the authors of the Vilnius photometric system for the classification of stars. In 1969-1990 conducted the construction of the Moletai Observatory in Lithuania
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
and its Maidanak station in Uzbekistan. Author of 324 scientific papers published in 1957-2009 and of three monographs: "Multicolor Stellar Photometry" (Vilnius, 1977, in Russian), "Metal-Deficient Stars" (Vilnius, 1982, in Russian) and "Multicolor Stellar Photometry" (Tucson, Arizona, 1992 and 1995, revised version, in English). In 1977-1991 editor of the "Bulletin of the Vilnius Astronomical Observatory", since 1992 editor of an international journal "Baltic Astronomy
Baltic Astronomy
Baltic Astronomy is a quarterly peer-reviewed scientific journal published by the Institute of Theoretical Physics and Astronomy for astronomical institutions of the Baltic states. The journal was established in 1992. The journal covers all branches of astronomy and is sponsored by the Ministry...
". Scientific adviser of 22 doctoral dissertations.
Membership
- International Astronomical UnionInternational Astronomical UnionThe International Astronomical Union IAU is a collection of professional astronomers, at the Ph.D. level and beyond, active in professional research and education in astronomy...
(IAU, 1967) - Institute for Space Observations, New York (1988)
- European Astronomical Society (EAS, 1990)
- American Astronomical SocietyAmerican Astronomical SocietyThe American Astronomical Society is an American society of professional astronomers and other interested individuals, headquartered in Washington, DC...
(AAS, 1991) - Astronomical Society of the PacificAstronomical Society of the PacificThe Astronomical Society of the Pacific is a scientific and educational organization, founded in San Francisco on February 7, 1889. Its name derives from its origins on the Pacific Coast, but today it has members all over the country and the world...
(ASP, 1991) - American Planetary Society (1991)
- Astronomical Society of New York (1992)
- Lithuanian Astronomical Union (president 1995-2003)
- In 1979-1985 Vice-President and President of the IAUIAUIAU may refer to:*International Astronomical Union*International American University*International American University College of Medicine*International Association of Universities*International Association of Ultrarunners...
Commission "Stellar Classification" - In 1991-1995 Expert Member of the Lithuanian Academy of SciencesLithuanian Academy of SciencesThe Lithuanian Academy of Sciences or LAS, founded in 1941 as the Lithuanian SSR Academy of Sciences , as an autonomous, state-subsidized establishment serving as a scientific advisory body to the government of Lithuanian SSR...
, since 1996 - Corresponding Member of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences
Honours
Awards- Lithuanian Republic Science Award (1973)
- Nomination as a distinguished scientist of Lithuania (1986)
- Chretien Grant of the American Astronomical Society (2000)
- Award of the Gediminas order Officer's Cross (2003)
- Lithuanian National Science Award (2004)
Named after him
- AsteroidAsteroidAsteroids are a class of small Solar System bodies in orbit around the Sun. They have also been called planetoids, especially the larger ones...
68730 Straizys68730 Straizys68730 Straizys is a main-belt asteroid discovered on March 15, 2002 by K. Černis and J. Zdanavičius at the Moletai Astronomical Observatory.- External links :*...
Publications
- V. Straizys, Multicolor Stellar Photometry (in Russian), Mokslas Publishers, Vilnius, Lithuania, 1977
- V. Straizys, Metal-Deficient Stars (in Russian), Mokslas Publishers, Vilnius, Lithuania, 1982
- V. Straizys, Multicolor Stellar Photometry (in English), Pachart Publishing House, Tucson, Arizona, 1992 (2nd publication in 1995)
- V. Straizys, The Milky Way (in Lithuanian), Mokslas Publishers, 1992
- V. Straizys, Astronomy, 1993 (a textbook for secondary schools, in Lithuanian)
- A. Azusienis, A. Pucinskas, V. Straizys, Astronomy, 1995 (a textbook for universities, in Lithuanian, 2nd revised publication in 2003)
- V. Straizys, Astronomical Encyclopedic Dictionary (in Lithuanian), Institute of Theoretical Physics and Astronomy, 2002 (2nd publication in 2003)