Main geophysical observatory named after A.I. Voeikov

By decree of Nicholas I on April 1, 1849, the Main Physical Observatory (GFO) was created in St. Petersburg . Academician A. Ya. Kupfer was the initiator of the creation of the GFO; he was also appointed the first director of the observatory.

HFO was established at the Institute of Mining Engineers Institute in a building on the 23rd line of Vasilyevsky Island , 2a. The staff at that time included 7 people. In addition to the main role in managing all meteorological institutions, the HFO also had a role in the creation of instruments and their methodological instructions, supplying measuring stations with instruments, processing and publishing observational materials, and inspecting stations.

The first HFO publication contained data on observing the daily weather conditions at various points, and was issued under the title Meteorological Review of Russia.

In 1868, the post of director of the GFO was taken by academician G.I. Wild . Under his leadership, uniform observation periods at stations were introduced, a single metric system, temperature began to be measured in degrees Celsius .

Since 1872, data from meteorological posts, as well as daily synoptic maps of Europe and Siberia, began to be published in the meteorological bulletin. At that time, the number of published posts totaled 26 Russian and 2 foreign stations. Already in 1888 their number reached 108 Russian and 62 foreign stations.

In 1892, regular actinometric observations were started at the Pavlovsk Observatory under the direction of O. D. Khvolson , and since 1896, the first studies of high atmospheric layers using balloons were begun. In 1902, a snake department was organized at the Pavlovsk Observatory to study the surface layer of the atmosphere with the help of instruments raised by kites. In 1914, under the guidance of V.N. Obolensky, regular observations of atmospheric electricity were started.

During World War I, the number of operating stations fell sharply. Under the GFO, the Main Military-Meteorological Directorate was created to serve the army and navy.

At the beginning of the 20th century, A. I. Voeikov took part in the GFO as a scientific consultant. The development of methods for forecasting various lead times was started.

In 1924, the GFO was renamed the Main Geophysical Observatory (GGO) and until 1929 served as the governing body of the Hydrometeorological Service of Russia .

During the Great Patriotic War, the MGO was evacuated to Sverdlovsk , but a small group of observatory staff continued to supply the front with operational meteorological information.

Since 1942, GGO was transferred to the building of the Leningrad Institute of Experimental Meteorology (LIEM) on Karbysheva Street , where it is located to this day.

According to the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the RSFSR GGO, the village of Seltsy was transferred to create an experimental base, instead of the destroyed one.

By the centenary of the founding of the GGO in 1949, the observatory was named after the outstanding Russian climatologist A. I. Voeikov.

For the successes achieved in scientific research, Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the SSR of January 9, 1967. Main Geophysical Observatory named after A.I. Voyeykova awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labor .

Directors

Other famous employees

• Rykachev M. Historical outline of the main physical observatory for 50 years of its activity. 1849-1899 . - SPb. , 1899.
• Physical observatories // Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary : 86 tons (82 tons and 4 additional). - SPb. , 1890-1907.