NICOLAE DONICI: THE DIALECTICS OF LIFE AND CREATION

Abstract

This paper presents an analysis of scientifi c creation of the brilliant Romanian scientist Nicolae Donici, as well as of his life, from the point of view of unity and struggle of opposites in his life and creation. It is shown that the scientifi c activities of the scientist are at the interface between astronomy and astrophysics, between the fundamental research and engineering, the great fundamental realizations being impossible without putting into operation of the observatory at the motherland of the scientist in Dubasari Vechi, Bassarabia. The events in the life of the scientist ranged between misfortunes and challenges from the one hand, and lucky circumstances and achievements on the other hand. The confrontations between wealth and poverty, between blows of fate and willingness to confront challenges in the life of the great scientist are also of the dialectic. As the great scientist’s life is marked by contrasts and opposites, the attitude towards him also was between the admiration and contempt during the life and between gratitude and oblivion after his death.

Keywords

• astronomy
• astrophysics
• observatory
• spectroheliograph
• solar eclipse
• comet