SCIENTIFIC WAY OF M.P. KOSACH, ONE OF THE FIRST UKRAINIAN METEOROLOGISTS
Authors: Fedoniuk Vitalina , Pankevich Anna , Fedoniuk Mykola , Pankevich Serhii 
Published: June 2022

Introduction. Setting objectives. The urgency of the work is due to the fact that in connection with the celebration of the 150th anniversary of Lesya Ukrainka in Ukraine and around the world last year, increased attention was paid to studying the general contribution of the Kosach family to national science and social progress. A little-known page in the history of the Kosach family is the field of scientific activity of Lesya Ukrainka's older brother, Mykhailo Petrovich Kosach, who was a physicist, meteorologist, specialized in atmospheric optics and had significant achievements in this field. Purpose of the article. Therefore, the aim of the work was a detailed study of the life and scientific path of MP Kosach, his scientific achievements in the field of meteorology and atmospheric physics, his contribution to the formation of meteorological science in Ukraine.

Results of the research: 1) Contribution of MP Kosach in the development of meteorological science in Ukraine can be divided into three main components: a) teaching activities in the field: work at the departments of Dorpat (Tartu), Kharkiv University, teaching at St. George's Women's Gymnasium, Veterinary Institute, School of Technical Society (Kharkov). Teaching courses in physics, mathematics, general meteorology, electrostatics, electromagnetism, mechanical thermal theory; b) research, works, inventions: published about 20 works in the field of atmospheric optics, meteorology, atmospheric physics, translated into Russian fundamental European works on meteorology, developed prototypes of automated instruments for measuring wind, X-ray machine. Defense of master's and dissertation works on atmospheric optics; c) organization of a stationary meteorological network: MP Kosach organized the work of an exemplary meteorological station at the All-Russian Exhibition (1896), and later improved the work of the first university meteorological station in the Kharkiv region. The project of the meteorological network for Slobozhanshchyna developed by him was implemented after the scientist's death.

2) Research performed by MP Kosach addressed such areas in meteorology as atmospheric optics, atmospheric physics, atmospheric electricity, aerodynamics, actinometry, design and improvement of meteorological instruments (electric tomograph, continuous integrator of wind power and speed). The main scientific achievements of MP Kosach in the field of meteorological science is associated with the period of his work at Kharkiv University as a private associate professor of physics and meteorology (1901 - 1903).

3) According to the analysis of scientific heritage MP Kosach has developed an interactive map and a number (https://bit.ly/2Ttw9FI) of chronological tables that can be used in the educational process to promote information about the scientist.

The scientific novelty of this study is a detailed analysis of the contribution of MP Kosach in the development of meteorology in Ukraine and the development of author's information materials (interactive map, tables), which will promote information about the outstanding Ukrainian scientist.

Practical significance: thus, the scientific heritage of MP Kosach, as one of the first Ukrainian meteorologists, deserves further detailed study and popularization, because it was undeservedly forgotten in the past, and is still little known to the general public and even specialists in the field of geographical sciences. The interactive map and chronological tables developed by the authors will allow to carry out such popularization among all those interested in the study of scientific development of natural branches in Ukraine.

Keywords: Kosach MP, history of meteorology, atmospheric optics, actinometry, stationary network of meteorological stations.