THE PATH OF WOMEN IN ASTRONOMY IN THE CONTEXT OF THE SCIENTIFIC WORK OF ASTROPHYSICIST PARASKOVIA PARKHOMENKO

Balyshev, MA
Space Sci. & Technol. 2026, 32 ;(3):81-105
https://doi.org/10.15407/knit2026.03.081
Publication Language: Українська
Abstract: 
Th is article focuses on reconstructing the academic biography of Ukrainian astrophysicist Paraskovia Parсhomenko. It places
her work within the context of the development of theoretical astrophysics in the fi rst half of the 20th century. Th is piece has
been prepared to mark the 140th anniversary of her birth. Th e work provides a comprehensive analysis of Parсhomenko’s
scientifi c output, drawing on a wide range of sources, including archival materials introduced into scientifi c circulation for the
fi rst time, which has enabled the signifi cant clarifi cation of certain stages of her life and professional career. Particular attention
is paid to the period of the researcher’s work at the Kharkiv Astronomical Observatory and her contribution to the development
of theoretical studies of the solar atmosphere.
Th e study aims to comprehensively reconstruct Parсhomenko’s scientifi c biography and determine her role in the development
in stellar atmospheric physics and radiation transport problems. Th e methodological foundation of the work is based
on the principles of historicism, systematicity, and objectivity, implemented through a combination of general scientifi c and
specialized historical methods. Th e application of these approaches made it possible to examine her work within the context
of international scientifi c discourse, particularly by comparing it with the research of leading European astrophysicists of the
interwar period.
Th e scientifi c novelty of the article lies in a systematic re-examination of Parсhomenko’s theoretical body of work, particularly
her studies on radiative equilibrium, the optics of the solar atmosphere, and analytical methods for solving integral equations
of radiation transport. It has been demonstrated that her research addressed the key issues in astrophysics of the time
and was integrated into the international scientifi c community, as evidenced by its systematic citation in leading European
publications.
A synthesis of the research fi ndings led to the conclusion that P. Parсhomenko made a signifi cant contribution to the
development of theoretical astrophysics. It is shown that her scientifi c work, particularly in the study of the structure of the
solar atmosphere and radiation transport processes, represents an important stage in the formation of relevant theoretical
approaches. At the same time, the infl uence of socio-institutional factors on the conditions of her scientifi c activity and the
subsequent reception of her works within the scientifi c community has been analyzed, enabling a more accurate defi nition of
the researcher’s place in the history of science in the fi rst half of the 20th century.
Keywords: gender aspects of science, history of astrophysics, history of science and technology, Kharkiv astronomical observatory, P. Parсhomenko, radiation transfer, radiative equilibrium, scientifi c biography, solar atmosphere, theoretical astrophysics, women in science
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