140 (Continued) 
Description: 
This is the largest astrophysical center in the Soviet Union. 
Astrophysics, atmospheric optics, and solar physics constitute its three 
areas of interest. Investigations have been made of the structure and 
evolution of galactic matter relative to problems of the origin of the stars, 
solar activity, and the optical properties of the different layers of the 
earth's atmosphere. 
The Institute developed from the Institute of Astrophysics which 
was organized in Alma-Ata early in World War II. Astronomers who had 
come there to observe the solar eclipse of September 21, 1941, and remained 
because of the war helped to found the original institute. The facilities 
of the Astrophysical Institute include a coronal station and a Mountain 
Astrophysical Observatory. 
An Izvestiya is published. 
Thi 
Name: Astrophysical Laboratory 
(Astrofizicheskaya laboratoriya) 
Address: Riga 
Director: Ya. I. Kauniyek, Candidate (1960) 
Deputy Director: -- 
Administrative Affiliation: Academy of Sciences, Latvian S.S.R. (1961) 
Selected Staff Members: 
Z. Alksiye 
A. Alksnis 
I. A. Daube 
V. Perepeyka 
L. E. Reyzin 
Description: 
The first observation station of the Astrophysical Laboratory of 
the Latvian Academy of Sciences became operational in July, 1958. The 
Laboratory studies the structure and development of the stellar system and 
the meta galaxy. Recent studies have been made on carbon stars. Radio- 
astronomical observations are also made. From radar observations of Venus, 
workers at this laboratory have estimated the temperature of the planet. 
The Astrophysical Laboratory publishes a popular-science magazine 
(a quarterly) Zvaigznota Debess. 
