Gennadiy Ivanovich Pinigin, well-known specialist in the field of positional astronomy and astronomical instrumentation, a professor, a doctor in physics and mathematics (1992), a recognized person in Ukrainian science and technique, a foreign member of the Russian Academy of Natural Science. After completing postgraduate studies, G.I. Pinigin started working as a junior researcher at Main (Pulkovo) Astronomical Observatory (MAO) of the Academy of Science (1967). In 1986, on decision of the Presidium of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR, he was appointed manager of the Nikolaev branch of MAO and in 1992 G.I. Pinigin became the director of Nikolaev Astronomical Observatory (NAO) which in 2002 was turned into a research institute. G.I. Pinigin’s main scientific interest concerns questions of optimal constructions and astronomical instrumentation of new meridian telescopes for ground-based determination of coordinates of celestial objects. For his achievements in astronomical instrumentation, G.I. Pinigin was awarded a Silver Medal at the Exhibition of Attainments of USSR National Economy in 1974. In 1995 a new automatic telescope designed by G.I. Pinigin (co-authors O.E. Shornikov and A.V. Shulga) was built at NAO: an axial meridian circle was entered in the Ukrainian list of objects of national heritage. Under the directorship of G.I. Pinigin, NAO developed widely international relations with astronomical observatories in Russia, France, Turkey and the People’s Republic of China concerning research of the link between radio and optical reference systems of coordinates, cоmpilation of high precision catalogues in the selected fields of celestial sphere, determination of masses for selected asteroids, etc.

For his scientific achievements, G.I. Pinigin was awarded the medals of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. G. I. Pinigin pursues an active pedagogical work by giving lectures to university students in Nikolaev and St. Petersburg. He is the author of more than 270 scientific publications. Since 1979 he is a member of the International Astronomical Union and since 1992 he is heading the NAO Scientific Council. His name has been given to small asteroid of the Solar system PINIGIN (7976)

Biography

1960-1965 a student at Tomsk State University.

1962 awarded a diploma and a sign of the Astronomical Council of USSR Academy of Sciences.

1965 graduated from the Tomsk State University, "Astronomogeodesy"

1965 - 1968 the main post-graduate (Pulkovo) Astronomical Observatory, USSR Academy of Sciences.

1968-1985 - Junior Researcher GAO AN SSSR.

1973 he defended his thesis for PhD scientific degree on specialty "01.03.01 - Astrometry and celestial mechanics." Thesis "Study of the Pulkovo horizontal meridian circle, L. Sukharev the results of observations of right ascensions of stars." Awarded the USSR Council of GAO, diploma IMF № 020577.

1974 graduated from the Leningrad Institute of Aviation Instrument specialty "Radio-electronic devices."

1976-1977 a head of the polar expedition on the Spitsbergen (Barentsburg, Norway) island.

1979  a member of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) at the 17th General Assembly of the IAU.

1985-1986 – a Senior Researcher GAO AS USSR.

1985-1991, 1994-2000 – a member of the Organizing Committee of Commission № 8 "Positional Astronomy" SAS.

1985 awarded the silver medal of the Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy (ENEA), the USSR, Moscow.

1986 a member of the European Astronomical Society.

1986-2001 a member of the Academic Council of GAO USSR Academy of Sciences (since 1992 - GAO Russian Academy of Sciences (Pulkovo).

From 1992 to present days a director of Nikolaev Astronomical Observatory. 1992 awarded the academic degree of PhD, specialty "01.03.01 - Astrometry and celestial mechanics." Thesis: "Determination of right ascension and declination of stars on the means of the automatic horizontal meridian instrument design."

1993 a member of the Ukrainian Astronomical Association.

1994 a member of the Euro-Asian Astronomical Society (Moscow).

1997 awarded the academic title of Professor "Astronomy and Physics." The title assigned to the decision of the Academic Council of Nikolaev State Pedagogical Institute by V. Belinskogo (since 2001 - Nikolaev National University by V. Sukhomlinsky).

1998 awarded the Diploma of the Ministry of Science of Ukraine, the order № 149 of May 13, 1998.

2000-2003 - deputy chairman, and later a member of the Expert Scientific Council on Astronomy of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine.

From 2000 to present times - Member of the Special Board of the National Academy of Sciences GAO Ukraine.

2003 a minor planet (7976 Pinigin) was named for Gennady Ivanovich Pinigina, opened by N. Chernykh, August 21, 1977 in the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory.

Since 2006 - member of the commission № 41 "History of Astronomy" SAS.

2006 awarded the Medal "St. Nicholas the Miracle Worker» III degree.

2008 awarded the badge "For his scientific achievements." by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine.

2009 a member of the National Committee of Ukraine for the International Year of Astronomy (IYA2009).

2010 awarded the sign of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine "For professional achievement," license number 305.

2010 elected as a "Citizen of the Year" (2009) in the category "Science and Education" (Nikolaev); got the sign and degree.

2011 awarded a diploma and a sign of the Supreme Authority of Ukraine "for special services to the Ukrainian people," Order of the Chairman of the Supreme Authority of Ukraine № 714 of August 23, 2011.

2012 awarded the Order "For Merits" III-th degree by Presidential Decree № 331/2012 for significant contribution to the development of natural science, strengthening the scientific and technical potential of Ukraine, a long-term faultless work.