History. Department of Astronomy.

Astronomy department is one of the oldest departments in Odessa University (Novorossia University in past). In fact, the regular delivering of the lectures on astronomy started in 1865 by Berkevich L.F., who became professor of astronomy in 1869. Thus, Berkevich founded astronomy department in our University. Since 1881 astronomy department was headed by Kononovich A.K. Professor Kononovich carried out his pioneer works in the area of astrophysics. During two years (1910-1912) astronomy department was headed by professor of physics Kasterin N.P. In 1912 the new chair of astronomy department professor Orlov A.Ya. extended area of the department scientific activity having included there geophysics. In 1934 professor Pokrovsky K.D. became the chair of the astronomy department. During the Great Patriotic war Odessa University was evacuated and astronomy department was headed by professor Mikhalsky N.M. Almost 40 years (1944-1983) astronomy department was headed by professor Tsessevich V.P. In 1952 astronomy department was divided into two separate departments – department of astrophysics (chair Tsessevich V.P.) and department of astronomy (chair professor Savchenko K.N.) For a few years department of astrophysics was, in fact, the department of astrophysics and theoretical physics. Later, the department of theoretical physics became an independent structure of our University, and was headed by professor Kostarev A.E. In 1953 astronomy department became the department of astronomy and theoretical mechanics. Three years late, astronomical departments were combined into one department of astronomy and theoretical mechanics. In 1960 department of the theoretical mechanics became an independent division. The next chair of astronomy department professor Karetnikov V.G. was in charge of this subdivision from 1983 to 2006. During its long history astronomy department educated many world-famous scientists.