Paris Herouni

Paris M. Herouni (Armenian: Պարիս Հերունի, December 17, 1933 – December 5, 2008) was an Armenian professor and scientist, member of National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia in the fields of radio-physics, radio-engineering, and radio-astronomy. He was a head of the “Antenna Systems” chair (founded by him), in the State Engineering University of Yerevan, as well as the Radio physics Research Institute (RRI).

He was born in Yerevan, Armenia on December 17, 1933. Upon complition of his undergraduate studies in Yerevan, Dr. Herouni attended Moscow Power Engineering Institute, where he got his graduate degree in radio technology in 1957. He would go on to get his doctorate of philosophy in radio techniques, from the same institution in 1965. Because of his many scientific discoveries, Herouni has received numerous awards, such as, the Order of the Red Banner of Labour, Silver Medal of Catholicos of All Armenians (given to him by Vazgen I), State Prize of USSR in the field of Science, Medal "Veteran of Labour", a Bronze Medal from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of France, and the Russian Academy of Sciences Lomonosov Gold Medal.

In addition, he also holds over 20 patents, and has published over 340 scientific works, including 2 monographs.

Scientific Works

Herouni's scientific discoveries and theories include, his theory and calculations on the Method of the Large Double mirror Antennas with Fixed Spherical Main Mirror, Theory and equations of electromagnetic field diffraction on the holes (apertures) of different configurations, Radio holography - methods of field determination in space by measurements of complex field near (NF) of the emitting or scattering objects, Methods of Near–to-Far (NF - FF) measurements of antennas and scattering objects parameters, Theory of field diffraction in antenna edges when illuminates the part of main aperture, and Antenna Metrology direction.

Among his many experiments are his Projected, built, and adjusted which was used for the First Radio-Optical Telescope (ROT-54/2.6) – the “Herouni Mirror Radio telescope” – the large antenna of which with a diameter 54 m has one of the best parameters among all Large Antennas in the world. He concluded and built an Antenna Parameters and Phase Shift Angle, being the first 11, based on the World National Primary Standards. The “AREV” Project, which is a new type of powerful and ecologically pure Solar Power Plant. He was the first to come across the powerful radio-flare on Eta Geminorum star, a red giant and the powerful flares associated with that type of star. He also was the first to measure an aperture of an antenna, in the World Radio Hologram. Using this, he designed and built many highly, effective Automatic Complexes of equipment for NF –FF Antenna Measurement.

Amateur research

Later he turned his attention to megalithic structures, such as Zorats Karer (sometimes referred to as Karahunj) in Armenia, which is thought to be an ancient observatory. By using four telescopic methods, and the precession laws of Earth, he argued that Zorats Kaher is more than 7500 years old; dating it to around 5500 BC. Herouni wrote about his claims in his 2004 book, Armenians and Old Armenia. Archaeostronomer Clive Ruggles, writing about the site, stated that "Inevitably there have been other claims—more speculative and less supportable—relating to the astronomical significance of the site. One is that it can be astronomically dated to the sixth millennium B.C.E. And direct comparisons with Stonehenge, which few now believe was an observatory, are less than helpful."