The years of working in the world-famous Byurakan Observatory under the leadership of Victor Hambardzumyan are fresh in Vladimir Ayrapetyan’s memories. He recalls that 30-40 years ago they made inventions on the slopes of Aragats, to which world science is just reaching, armed with super modern technical means.
“When I came to the United States, many people knew about the Byurakan Observatory and Hambardzumyan, because the observatory did a very fundamental work,” says Vladimir Ayrapetyan, Head of NASA Science Team.
Scientists from around the world have formed an online group called the ‘Koziryok’ Cafe of Yerevan, where they gather to discuss what they can do for Armenia.
“There are scientists in the fields of mathematics, physics, astronomy, chemistry, with whom we discuss what we can do to support science in Armenia. Today, for example, we were studying how they can donate our time (free of course) to provide online advice to Armenian professionals. In a few days, we will participate in the international gathering of astronomers, organized by Byurakan partners. I am on the organizing committee of this meeting. NASA Chief Scientist Jim Green will deliver a speech,” Ayrapetyan says.
“I am Zaven Arzumanyan, born in Montreal, Canada. I work at NASA,” says Zaven Arzumanyan, Head of NASA Science Team.
Zaven moved from Canada to the United States and has worked for NASA for two decades. He will also participate in the conference starting in Armenia online, too. Technically, it seems that Armenia is behind, but we have serious theoretical and scientific specialists, the scientist says.
I went to one of the remote settlements in West Virginia to meet one of the NASA employees - Vigen Ter-Minasyan. It is convenient to look at the stars from here, says our compatriot.
“I have been involved in various NASA telescope projects, such as the Hubble or James Webb Space Telescope, which NASA will launch into space in December. I bought a small telescope for myself,” says Vigen Ter-Minasyan, NASA employee, scientist.
Vigen Ter-Minasyan is one of the descendants of the military figure of the First Republic Ruben Ter-Minasyan. NASA once sent a device to the moon to look for traces of water. Our compatriot says that he also wrote his name and surname on the device.
“Next time you go to the Moon, please look for this device,” says Vigen Ter-Minasyan.
