The Scientific Legacy of Mykola Bobrovnikoff in the Development of Comet Physics and Spectroscopy in the 20th Century

Abstract This article is devoted to a comprehensive analysis of the scientific legacy of Mykola Bobrovnikoff in the context of the emergence of comet physics and the development of spectroscopic research in the 20th century. The paper traces the evolution of the scientist’s research interests—from his early observations and professional training to his fundamental research at leading observatories in the United States. Particular attention is paid to his contribution to the spectrophotometric study of comets, specifically the establishment of dependencies between changes in their brightness and heliocentric distance, and the analysis of molecular lines (CN, C2, CO2) in cometary spectra. By synthesizing a large body of observational data, Bobrovnikoff was able to formulate approaches to the physical interpretation of processes in cometary atmospheres, emphasizing the role of non-equilibrium phenomena and interactions with solar radiation. It is shown that the scientist’s works laid the empirical foundation for the further development of cometary astrophysics, influenced the modeling of cometary comas, and refined photometric methods. At the same time, his research in the field of spectroscopy of stars and small bodies of the Solar System is examined, which expands our understanding of the physical nature of the asteroid-comet continuum. It is argued that the scientist’s body of work is systematic in nature and remains significant for modern astrophysical research.