Paris Herouni and Orgov Radio-Optical Telescope

Early Life and Career

Paris Herouni was born in Armenia and completed his early education at Secondary School No. 30 in Yerevan, named after Chkalov. In 1951, he enrolled in the Moscow Power Engineering Institute (MPEI), where he studied radio engineering for six years. After graduating in 1957, Herouni returned to Armenia and began his career as a radio engineer at the Byurakan Observatory.

Herouni was known for his innovative approach to radio engineering and his dedication to advancing scientific knowledge in Armenia. Over his career, he published around 353 scientific works, including 248 papers, four monographs, and 25 patents. He was also a passionate science communicator, frequently appearing in newspapers, magazines, radio, and television, with media coverage about him spanning the USSR, Russia, Armenia, USA, France, and Italy.

Paris Herouni (Image credits: Հերունու Ազգային Տիեզերական Կենտրոն/Herouni United Space Centre/HUSC/ Facebook page)

In the field of theoretical astronomy he created

1958-1964 Theory and calculation methods of large bi-mirror antennas with a fixed spherical main mirror

1963-1965 The theory and equations of diffraction of electromagnetic waves on holes (apertures) with different configurations, as well as the methods of transition from the field of excited holes to the field of the far zone.

1964-1968 Radioholography; new methods for determining fields in space by measuring complex fields in the near field (aperture zone) of radiating and scattering objects.

1967-1970 Methods of determining characteristics of antennas in the far zone by measuring their near field.

1963-1964 The theory of diffraction of the field at the edges of the antenna when a part of its aperture is illuminated.

1970-1975 Metrology of antennas (metrology); theory and standards of antenna characteristics.

1970-1972 Statistical theory of multi-beam antennas and methods of measuring their characteristics.

1980-1984 The method of determining the characteristics of antennas (theory and methods) by measuring their near field on a spherical surface.

1991-1995 Theory and calculation methods of a new type of powerful solar power plant with one stationary spherical collimator.

Paris Herouni about ROT54 telescope

In an experimental astronomy he created

1959-1962 Designed, built, and operated a Bimirror Antenna with a fixed spherical main mirror, 5m. in diameter, at that time the largest in the world in mm short wave range.

1960-1988 Designed, built, and used the world's first Radio-Optical Telescope (ROD-54/2.6), "Heruni Mirror Radio Telescope" (patent name), whose Large Antenna (diameter 54 m) characteristics exceed the characteristics of all large antennas in the world.

1988-1992 It denies (due to the exceptionally low level of ROD-54/2.6's own noises) the existence of the so-called "relict background" and the "Big Bang" cosmological theory of the origin of the Universe.

In 1985 Discovered a powerful radio flare on the star Etta Gemini, a red giant, on which powerful flares were not previously known.

In 1985 Received (through measurements) the world's first Radio Hologram (0.5 m antenna aperture on 8 mm wave).

1968-1993 Designed and built the world's first, a series of highly efficient automatic equipment complexes for measuring the characteristics of different types of antenna systems in their near zone, on different channels.

1971-1991 Designed and built the world's first eleven National Primary standards for RF and microwave antenna characteristics and phase deviation angle.

1976-1979 For measuring the characteristics of antennas installed on flying machines (in their real flight conditions), he created the first complex of equipment, which includes a special antenna with a diameter of 18 m.

1987-1991 Designed and built a unique two-mirror antenna of submillimeter range (0.1mm-3cm) with a diameter of 3.2m at an altitude of 3,200m.

1992-2004 Proposed a new type of high-efficiency and environmentally friendly Solar power plant ("Arev" project) and is building its first experimental example, with a capacity of 100 kW, at the Aragats Scientific Center of RGHI at an altitude of 1,750 m.

1994-2002 Astronomical methods proved that the prehistoric stone monument near the city of Sisian was the first, powerful and highly developed Observatory in the world, named "Karahunj", which was active more than 7,500 years ago.

1957-1962 He designed and built the first antennas and radio receivers in Armenia in the 50 cm and 8 mm bands.

The Radio-Optical Telescope (ROT-54/2.6)

Constructed between 1975 and 1985, the telescope became operational in 1986 and continued until 1990 when it ceased operations due to financial and technical challenges. A restoration proposal emerged in the mid-1990s, leading to a modernization phase between 1995 and 2010, which included the installation of new control computers and updated feeds. Observations were resumed in collaboration with the Astronomical Society of Russia and the National Technical University of Athens. However, in 2012, operations were halted once more due to a control arm failure that immobilized the secondary mirror.

Herouni Mirror Radio Telescope (Зеркальный радиотелескоп геруни) Patent No. 1377941 Image credits: База патентов СССР (USSR Patent Database)

The ROT-54/2.6 consists of 4,000 mirrors, a large two-mirror antenna with a diameter of 54 meters, which is combined with an optical telescope with a diameter of 2.6 meters.

During its operational years, the ROT-54/2.6 made significant contributions to astrophysics. Notably, it recorded a powerful radio flare on the red giant star Eta Gemini in 1985, where such flares had not been observed before. The telescope’s high sensitivity allowed it to detect faint radio waves from distant stars and galaxies, providing valuable data to the scientific community.

Additionally, due to its exceptionally low noise levels, Herouni used the ROT-54/2.6 to challenge prevailing cosmological theories, such as the existence of the "relic background" and the Big Bang theory.

Paris Herouni and renowned Armenian poet Silva Kaputikian (Image credits: Հերունու Ազգային Տիեզերական Կենտրոն/Herouni United Space Centre/HUSC/ Facebook page)

Herouni’s interests extended into archaeoastronomy, where he conducted studies on the ancient megalithic site of Zorats Karer (Karahunj) in the Syunik region, using data from telescopes worldwide. He concluded that the site was an observatory with a history spanning more than 7,500 years.

The construction process of ROT54 telescope in Orgov village (Image credits: Հերունու Ազգային Տիեզերական Կենտրոն/Herouni United Space Centre/HUSC/ Facebook page)

Paris Herouni’s legacy is marked by his relentless pursuit of scientific discovery and his contributions to radio engineering and astrophysics. His innovative spirit lives on through the remarkable technologies and institutions he established, leaving an indelible mark on Armenia's scientific heritage.