Summary

Today the staff of Astronomical Observatory and teachers of the Chair of astronomy numbers 45 researchers including six Doctors of Science (Professors) and 20 Candidates of Science (PhD). They are organized in five thematic sections:

* astrometry and stellar astronomy (The chief of this section is Dr. P.N.Fedorov);
* planetary and solar physics (The chief of this section is Dr. V.V.Korokhin);
* physics of asteroids (The chief of this section is Prof. D.F.Lupishko);
* remote sensing examines of planets (The chief of this section is Prof. Yu.G.Shkuratov);
* methods of reduction of observations (The chief of this section is Prof. V.N.Dudinov).


In addition, Astronomical Observatory has a good working library (above 50.000 of the principal astronomical and scientific periodicals and books), and Chuguyev Observation Station (70 km south-east from Kharkov).

The main equipment of Astronomical Observatory includes: the 0.7-m reflector (AZT-8); the 0.5-m reflector (on Mt. Maidanak in Middle Asia); a reflector (AZT-7); the Repsold meridian circle; a normal astrograph; a transit instrument (APM); a solar telescope (AFR-2). The special coherent-optical system for calculations is unique, it was registered as the national property of Ukraine. Our observers have a great opportunity to work with new powerful equipment at other observatories.

At present the basic trends of the researches at Kharkov Astronomical Observatory and the Chair of astronomy are:

* experimental and theoretical studies of interacting radiation with the rough surfaces;
* studies of chemical-mineralogical and geological-morphological characteristics of the lunar and planetary surfaces based on the combination of the ground-based and space data;
* research of physical properties of minor planets (asteroids) and the impact hazard problem;
* development of image processing algorithms for high-resolution imaging with ground-based optical telescopes;
* photometric monitoring of brightness variations in gravitational lens systems and investigation of a gravitational lensing phenomenon;
* the Solar Service and studies of the Solar activity in the chromosphere;
* studies of characteristics of the nearest to the Sun stars;
* studies of inner composition of the substars;
* studies of supermassive compact objects;
* fundamental astrometry;
* the Time Service and the studies of irregularities in speed of Earth`s rotation.

Astronomers of Kharkov National University are the active members of social scientific organizations in Ukraine. They participate in publicizing scientific results, give popular lectures on astronomy. Their achievements are highly appreciated: 22 objects of the solar system are named in honour of the most prolific astronomers of Kharkov National University.

Astronomical Observatory of
V.N.Karazin Kharkov National University,
Sums`ka vul., 35, 61022 Kharkov, Ukraine
Director of Astronomical Observatory,
Doctor of Physical-Mathemetical Sciences, Professor,
Yurij G. Shkuratov,
Tel/FAX: (0572)432-428; Tel. 457-558
e-mail: ygs@astron.kharkov.ua

The Chair of astronomy of
the V.N.Karazin Kharkov National University,
pl. Svobody, 4, kimn. II-7, 61077 Kharkov, Ukraine,
Head, Professor Yurij Vladimirovich Aleksandrov,
Tel. (057)707-55-37 ; e-mail: alex@astron.kharkov.ua