Jānis Ikaunieks

Jānis Ikaunieks (28 April 1912 Riga – 27 April 1969 Riga) was a Latvian astronomer, the founder of the Observatory of the Latvian Academy of Sciences (LAS) at Baldones Riekstukalns and its first director (1958-1969). (Baldone Observatory, IAU code 069, official name (1997) – Astrophysical Observatory of the Institute of Astronomy, University of Latvia)[4].

The main objects of Ikaunieks’ scientific investigations were red giants, and particularly carbon stars. He defended (1951) his thesis «Пространственное распределение и кинематика углеродных звёзд» (Kinematics and spatial distribution of carbon stars) at the P. K. Sternberg State Astronomical Institute of the M. V. Lomonosov Moscow State University (MSU), supervisor MSU prof. P. Parenago, and as the very first LAS astronomer received a scientific degree – Cand. of Phys&Math Sciences. Just there in Moscow, on 3 April 1969, Ikaunieks defended his doctoral thesis «Исследование звёзд красных гигантов» (Investigations of the stars – red giants)[2]. His monograph «Углеродные звёзды» (rus., 1971, coauthor Z. Alksne) translated in the USA (Carbon Stars. Z. K. Alksne and Ya. Ya. Ikaunieks; translated and edited by John H. Baumert. – Tucson, Arizona: Pachart Publishing House, 1981. – 182 p.)[3].

He was the initiator and also editor-in-chief of the Astronomical Calendar (in Latvian) and the popular science quarterly "Zvaigžņotā debess" ("The Starry Sky") http://www.astr.lu.lv/zvd/. Ikaunieks was awarded (1967) the Order of Lenin, the highest decoration bestowed by the Soviet Union, for outstanding merits and intense work in popularization of scientific achievements.[1]

He was laid to rest on the territory of Baldone Observatory.[2] IYA2009 commemorative Latvia stamp valued at Ls 0.50 features a portrait of Jānis Ikaunieks, Schmidt telescope, and galaxy M31.[5]

Minor planet 2010 GC158 = Nr. 284984 is named after Ikaunieks[6]. Discovery date: 2010 04 12; Discovery site: Baldone; Discoverer(s): Eglitis, I. (Latvia), Cernis, K. (Lithuania).

Sources

1. Balklavs A. Jānis Ikaunieks (1912-1969). – Astronomiskais kalendārs, 1987, 35.gadagājums, 177.-183.lpp.
2. Jānim Ikauniekam – 90. UZZIŅA-hronoloģija. Sastādījušas Daube I., Pundure I. – „ZvD", 2002, Pavasaris, nr. 175, Pielikums, 10 il. http://www.astr.lu.lv/Zvd/J_IK_Uzz-hronol.htm
3. „Zvaigžņotā Debess", 2006, Rudens, nr. 193, 75.lpp.
4. UZZIŅA un īsa HRONOLOĢIJA (1946-2006). ASTROFIZIKAS OBSERVATORIJAI – 60. – „Zvaigžņotā Debess", 2006, Rudens, nr. 193, 81.-82.lpp. http://www.lu.lv/zvd/2006/rudens/observatorija/hronologija/
5. Alksnis A. Latvijas Pasta pirmās astronomijai veltītās pastmarkas. – "ZvD" 2009, Vasara, nr. 204, 15.-16.lpp. http://www.lu.lv/zvd/2009/vasara/latvijas-pasta-pirmas-astronomijai-veltitas-pastmarkas/
6. http://www.lu.lv/zvd/2012/ikaunieks/