The scientific cooperation of V. M. Peretts and M. I. Petrov through the prism of epistolary sources

Abstract

The article analyzes the information potential of the documents of Fedorov’s personal fund in the context of studying the international activity of the scientist, his scientifіc and personal links in the world astronomical community. The personal fund of Ye. P. Fedorov, an academician of the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, an outstanding Soviet astronomer, director of the Main Astronomical Observatory of the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, is deposited at the Institute of Archival Studies of Vernadsky National Library of Ukraine and consists of 333 files. The publication examines the specific composition of the documents characterizing the activity of the scientist as a chairman of the Commission 19 “Variability of Latitudes” and a member of the International Astronomical Union; his participation in the organization of the X General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union in Moscow, participation in international symposia, colloquiums. For many years, Ye. P. Fedorov had been working on improving the work of the International Latitude Service, actively participated in all discussions and considerations on its reorganization into the International Polar Motion Service. Analysis of the correspondence of Ye. P. Fedorov allowed to determine the range of his personal communication and the geography of correspondents and addressees. Correspondence with Japanese colleagues characterizes close scientifi c and friendly communication between scientists. In addition to Japan, Ye. P. Fedorov’s geography of correspondence covers the United States of America, Great Britain, Belgium, Portugal, Argentina, Greece, Australia and New Zealand. The subjects of correspondence mainly concern the scientific issues of conducting latitudinal observations, the exchange of scientific publications and the review of scientific papers. An analysis of the documents of Ye. P. Fedorov’s personal fund testifies to their high information potential, both for studies of the scientist’s biography, and for research of the history of science and technology in general.