编号 2 (2021)

Lunokhod-1 was launched from Earth on November 10, 1970 onboard of authomatic station Luna-17; and on November 17 it landed in the north-western part of the Mare Imbrium plain. It worked for eleven lunar days and run 9.9 km. Lunokhod-2 was launched from Earth on January 8, 1973 onboard of authomatic station Luna-21 and on January 15 it landed in the plain terrain of the crater Lemonier, a bay of Mare Serenitatis. It worked little more than four lunar days and run 39.1 km. Both Lunokhods were equipped with four panoramic television cameras. Analyses of their images allowed to obtain interesting data on topography and geologic structure of lunar surface. Also Lunokhods had X-ray fluorescence spectrometers and the equipment for the rover trafficability estimation, which acquired the data on chemical composition and physical and mechanical properties of the soil, as well as the corner reflector, laser location of which provided data on internal structure of the Moon. Also on Lunokhod-1 was collimated X-ray telescope and on Lunokhod-2 — magnetometer and astrophotometer. Nowadays an interest in the results obtained by the lunar rovers is renewed. Recently, at the Moscow State University of Geodesy and Cartography, a database of TV panoramas obtained by the first Soviet lunar rovers was created. Let’s hope for the fast implementation of the planned second-generation of Russian Lunar project, which include, among other things, a new version of the rover.

Analysis of ancient handwritten sources and images of the times of Kievan Rus’ allowed us to conclude that the mysterious chronicle “fierce beast” is a lion. According to paleontological data, it existed in the Northern Black Sea region and further north in the period from six to two thousand years ago. A thousand years ago, a significant part of this territory was a part of Kievan Rus’ or was under its control. Revision of realistic images of animals on the 11th century frescoes of St. Sophia Cathedral in Kiev provided new interesting information about the fauna of Kievan Rus’. Images of lions, tarpan, deer, wild boar, fox, lynx, and cheetah used as game animals have been revealed. It was found that the mysterious night whistle, mentioned in the literary monument of the 12th century, “The Tale of Igor’s Campaign”, was tooted by small animals, steppe pikas, widespread during that historical period, but have now become extinct on these territories.

River systems and lakes always attract tourists. This is especially true for water bodies located in arid regions. Here they form oases — areas of life. In addition to the rivers that carry their waters to the Volga and Don, in Volgograd Oblast there are two large closed-drainage lake-river systems: Elton and Sarpinskaya. They have significant recreational and balneological resources. Thousands of tourists come to the shores of the lakes every year. Based on the results of a comprehensive study of drainless systems, the features of each of them are considered; similarities and differences are identified; the main problems are determined. The conclusion about the suitability of these territories for the tourism development is drawn. Competent development of the tourism and recreation industry will preserve the natural beauty and the unique potential of the lake-river systems of Volgograd Oblast.

The water in the coastal zone of the Lake Onega during spring and early summer is covered with a yellow-white bloom. This situation also happened in June 2020. This is a well-known phenomenon, however it causes confusion every year. A strange film on the water surface is just the result of pine flowering. Pine grows are widespread on the shores of the Lake Onega. Why is there so much pine pollen, and why does it not sink? What will happen to this pollen when it finally sinks to the bottom?