Mikhail L'vovich Lidov (russian: Михаи́л Льво́вич Ли́дов, 4 October 1926–30 December 1993) was a Soviet and Russian astronomer specialising in
celestial mechanics
Celestial mechanics is the branch of astronomy that deals with the motions of objects in outer space. Historically, celestial mechanics applies principles of physics (classical mechanics) to astronomical objects, such as stars and planets, to ...
. He is best known for discovering, simultaneously with
Yoshihide Kozai
Yoshihide Kozai (1 April 1928 – 5 February 2018) was a Japanese astronomer specialising in celestial mechanics. He is best known for discovering, simultaneously with Michael Lidov, the Kozai mechanism, for which he received the Imperial Pri ...
, the
Kozai-Lidov mechanism.
In 1960, he was awarded the
Lenin prize for his contributions to the
Soviet space program.
The asteroid
4236 Lidov, discovered by
Nikolai Chernykh
Nikolai Stepanovich Chernykh (russian: Никола́й Степа́нович Черны́х) (6 October 1931 – 25 May 2004Казакова, Р.К. Памяти Николая Степановича Черных'. Труды Государст ...
in 1979, was named in his honour. The official naming citation was published by the
Minor Planet Center
The Minor Planet Center (MPC) is the official body for observing and reporting on minor planets under the auspices of the International Astronomical Union (IAU). Founded in 1947, it operates at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory.
Function
...
on 1 September 1993 ().
References
1926 births
1993 deaths
Russian astronomers
Soviet astronomers
Moscow State University alumni
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