Background
SHTERNBERG, Pavel was born on April 3, 1865 in Orel.
SHTERNBERG, Pavel was born on April 3, 1865 in Orel.
1887 graduate Faculty of Physics and Mathematics, Moscow University.
From 1891 did research at Moscow University Observatory and lectured on astronomy and geodesy. 1905, after joining Bolshevik faction of Russian Social-Democratic Workers’ Party, worked for Moscow Party Committee Military Engineer Bureau. 1907-1908 made survey of Moscow street system for future use during revol.
1909 gave up active Party work after dissolution of Military Engineer Bureau but maintained contacts with Russian Social-Democratic Workers’ Party and worked in legal organisation. From 1914 extraordinary professor, from 1917 professor, Moscow University. After February 1917 Revol helped to organize detachments of armed workers in Moscow.
November 1917 in charge of revol troops in Zamoskvorech’ye Rayon, then Presidium member, Moscow Province Executive Committee. September 1918 sent to Eastern Front as political comissar and member, Revol Military Council, 2nd Army. 1919 member, Revol Military Council, Eastern Front.
1919 also head. Department of Higher Education Establishments and Collegium member, People’s Commissariat of Education. Did research on gravimetry and photoastronomy. Established gravimetric link between Pulkovo and Moscow, studied the Moscow gravitational anomaly and determined the exact latitude of Moscow Observatory.
Led a solar eclipse expedition. The State Astronomical Institute at Moscow University now bears his name.
Religious faith contradicts people’s efforts to obtain the truth about nature and a human being.
Marxism–Leninism as the only truth could not, by its very nature, become outdated.
Communist Party member from 1905.