RESEARCH INSTITUTES-AGENCIES/RESEARCH INSTITUTES ◆ Sociolinguistics; ◆ Terminology and studies of language culture. The results of the research are disseminated through publications in Latvian and foreign scientific papers. The Institute collaborates with other institutions both on a national and international level. The cooperation implemented by the Institute has resulted in numerous joint publications.
Institute of Astronomy Raina Blvd 19, Riga, LV-1586, Latvia Phone: +371 67932863 E-mail: astra@latnet.lv Home page: www.astr.lu.lv The Institute of Astronomy of the University of Latvia was founded in 1997 on the basis of the Astronomy Observatory of the University of Latvia and the Radio-astrophysics Observatory of the Latvian Academy of Sciences. The main fields of research: ◆ Carbon stars in the Milky Way: bibliographical catalogue of kinematics, photometric, spectrophotometric a.o. characteristics. Updating of the electronic version of the general carbon star catalog CGCS; ◆ Observations of low resolution spectra and V, R, I photometry, determination of physical properties of carbon stars’ atmospheres; ◆ Digitization of Schmidt telescope archive of astronomical plates; ◆ Global coordinated investigation of asteroids’ and comets’ properties; ◆ Investigations of the physical processes in the non-stationary objects in space (interstellar environment, solar corona, supernovas); ◆ High-precision satellite laser ranging into the frame of global coordinated programs for geodynamics, research and development of laser ranging methods and instrumentation; ◆ Construction of astronomical instrumentation. Institute has two observatories. The astrophysical observatory in Baldone has the wide field Schmidt system telescope (80x120x240 cm), which is largest in Baltic states and equipped with a 4 degree objective prism and CCD camera. The satellite laser station Riga in Riga (Kandavas Street 2) operates a 1 m laser ranging telescope and it is the only operating satellite laser ranging system in Baltic states. SLR station Riga is a member of ILRS (International Laser Ranging Service) and EUROLAS. The laser telescope is capable to measure distances to satellites with the approximate accuracy of 1 cm (target dependent), including high orbiting satellites like GNSS (Global Navigation System
22