Paris Herouni

PARIS HEROUNI

 Renowned Armenian radio astronomer, radio physicist and radio engineer, candidate (Ph.D.) of Technical Sciences (1965), Associate Professor (1968), Doctor of Technical Sciences (1972), Professor (1983), Correspondent Member of the RA NAS (The National Academy of Sciences, 1982), RA NAS Academician (1996). 

Paris Misak Herouni was born on 17 December 1933 in Yerevan. He graduated from Secondary School No. 30 after V. Chkalov and obtained his higher education at the Radio Technical Department of the Moscow Power Engineering Institute in 1951-1957. Upon his return to Armenia, he started working as a Radio Engineer at the Byurakan Observatory. After a short time, he embarked on the position of the Head of the Radio-Physical Design Division. In 1960-68, he was the Deputy Director of the RadioPhysics and Electronics Institute of the Armenian Academy of Sciences and Head of the UHF (ultra-high frequency) Division In 1968-71, he was the Head of the Armenian Division of Radio-Physical Measurements of the All-Union Scientific Research Institute of Physico-Technical and Radio-Technical Measurements (Moscow). From 1983-2008, he was the Founder of the Antenna Systems Radio Research Institute at the Yerevan Polytechnic Institute and the Head of the Specialized Chair. In 1971, he founded and headed till the end of his life the All-Union Scientific Research Institute of Radio-Physical Measurements of Armenia. Herouni founded the Aragats Radio-Physical Scientific Center at the Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory (1958), the Institute of Radio-Physics and Electronics of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia in Ashtarak (1960), the Armenian Division of the All-Union Scientific Research Institute of Physico-Technical and Radio-Technical Measurements (Moscow) in Yerevan (1968), the All-Union Scientific Research Institute of Radio-Physical Measurements in Yerevan which was renamed into Scientific Research Institute of Radio-Physics in 2000 (1971), the “Alik” Plant of the Scientific Research Institute of Radio-Physics in Yerevan (1972), the Aragats Scientific Center of the Scientific Research Institute of Radio-Physics (1975), the Specialized Chair of Antenna Systems Radio Research Institute at the Yerevan Polytechnic University (1983). Paris Herouni authored about 353 published scientific works, including four monographs and 25 patents. In addition, he held research in the field of archaeoastronomy. He used four scientific methods to study the Carahunge and concluded that it was an observatory with a history of more than 7,500 years. Paris Herouni conducted extensive research to study ancient Armenian history and to present it thoroughly. The research findings were concluded in his book “Armenians and Ancient Armenia.” Paris Herouni proposed and developed the Radio-Optical Telescope, otherwise, the Herouni Mirror Radio Telescope, with a complex construction and the only one of its kind, which also ranges among the most powerful radio telescopes. In addition, Herouni designed the first solar power plant, which concentrates the sun’s rays at the same point and provides heat up to 700 degrees.

 In the energy crisis in the 1990s, Herouni had to develop and create efficient systems of solar power sources. In 1991, he presented the “Arev” thermal power plant project.He was an academician at the RA National Academy of Sciences, an academician at the Engineering Academy of Armenia, an academician at the International Academy of Ecology and Life Protection Sciences, an academicianat the Armenian Technological Academy, and a member of several other academies and international societies in the world. He carried out extensive scientific and organizational activities. For his outstanding contribution to science, Herouni was awarded various high state medals and international awards: Red Banner of Labor (1983), Veteran of Labor and St. Petersburg Scientist Star (2003) medals, Bronze Medal of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Lomonosov Gold Meal of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Silver Medal of His Holiness Catholicos Vazgen I (1984), Gold Medal of the RA National Academy of Sciences, Gold Medal of the RA Ministry of Education and Science, Gold Medal of the RA State Engineering University and Gold Medal of the Confederation of Trade Unions of Armenia (2003), state awards of Armenia (1985) and USSR (1986) in science. Paris Herouni died on 5 December 2008 at the age of 74. 

Paris Herouni has three children:

 SUREN HEROUNI

His son Suren was born in 1955 in Moscow. He graduated from the Yerevan Polytechnic Institute and obtained his Doctorate in Technical Sciences. His works refer to measurements of antennas, solar power, and communication networks. He had a son, Dmitry Herouni. Suren Herouni died in 2007.

 VAHAGN HEROUNI

He was born in Yerevan in 1984, graduated from the Yerevan Polytechnic Institute, and obtained a PhD in Technical Sciences. His work refers to antenna surface measurement. He has three children – Anzhela, Paris, Ellen. 

NANA HEROUNI

She was born in Yerevan in 1967. In 1989, she graduated from the History and English Department of the Linguistic University after V. Brusov. In 2000, she set up and currently manages an HR company. In 2018, Nana started the Save Carahunge Movement, and since 2020, she has been the Founder and the Chairperson of the Carahunge Armenological Center NGO. The Center aims to preserve and research the ancient Carahunge Observatory and to study other historical monuments (especially those of astronomical significance). The Center organizes scientific expeditions, conducts research, holds hearings and discussions of scientific reports/speeches, and issues publications: Nana has a son, Mikayel Saghatelyan-Herouni (expertise in foreign affairs and public relations), and a grandson, Leon Saghatelyan.