Serb. Astron. J. 162 (2000), 135 – 150 UDC 929(497,11)”19/19”N:52(092) Professional paper LIFE AND WORKS OF MILAN NEDELJKOVIC´ (1857-1950) V.TrajkovskaandM.S.Dimitrijevi´c Astronomical Observatory, Volgina 7, 11160 Belgrade-74, Yugoslavia (Received: November 25, 2000) SUMMARY: Activities of Milan Nedeljkovi´c, the founder of Belgrade Astro- nomical Observatory and his published works are discussed. The Bibliography of his works, as well as a Bibliography of selected works on Milan Nedeljkovi´c, are enclosed. 1. ACTIVITY OF MILAN NEDELJKOVIC´ astronomical and meteorological instruments; 3) The first half of the third year to spend in London and the second traveling, visiting thereby the most im- portant astronomical and meteorological establish- One of the most important personalities hav- ments. This opinion was signed by Josip Panˇci´c, ing contributed to the development of astronomy and Kosta Alkovi´c, Sima Lozani´c, Ljubomir Kleri´c, Dim- meteorology in Serbia in the second half of the 19th th itrije Neˇsi´c and Dimitrije Stojanovi´c(Jankovi´c, and the beginning of the 20 centuries is certainly 1989). By this opinion Nedeljkovi´c was directed to- Milan Nedeljkovi´c (Belgrade Sept. 27, 1857 – Bel- wards the astronomical and meteorological studies grade, Dec. 21, 1950). As a junior lecturer on physics and on that account he, as a state scholarschip hol- and mathematics at the Grand School (Belgrade Uni- der, was sent to France. versity) he applied on August 16, 1878, at the Min- The Grand School Organization Law, passed istry of Education for continuing abroad his studies, in 1863, is silent about astronomy, but it was intro- completed in the country, specifically in physics and duced in 1880 by the Modifications and Supplements astronomy and besides, analytical and rational me- of the same Law as a separate subject at the Natural- chanics and mathematics. Minister Boˇskovi´casked Mathematical-Department of the Philosophical Fac- for opinion the rector that arrived on June 12, 1879. ulty of the Grand School, the lectures on which to According to this opinion the plan of Nedeljkovi´c’s be attended also by the engineering students. This studies was as follows: 1) The first two years to decision came into force only in 1884 when Milan attend lectures in infinitesimal calculus, probability Nedeljkovi´c was back from his studies in France from calculus, mathematical physics, meteorology, ratio- June 1879 to July 1884. nal and analytical mechanics, higher geodesy and On returning from his studies Milan Nedeljko- astronomy; 2) The third year to dedicate to prac- vi´c was appointed junior lecturer of astronomy and tical training at the Paris Observatory and to attend meteorology, being at the same time entrusted with special lectures in astronomy and meteorology, in the the Chair for Astronomy and Meteorology of the first place those treating the theory and use of the Grand School, the post he held forty years, until his 135 V. TRAJKOVSKA and M.S. DIMITRIJEVIC´ retirement in 1924. The only break took place with sis of the Observatory, although some of them were his first retirement from July 5, 1899 to October 31, taken away by the Germans during the World War 1900 (Djurkovi´c, 1968), the Chair for Astronomy and II, two were ceded to each Ljubljana and Zagreb Uni- Meteorology having during that time been entrusted versities (Djurkovi´c, 1968), some of the smaller ones to Djordje Stanojevi´c. Nedeljkovi´c taught astron- being left unmounted and one burnt up during the omy as a professional subject according to the De- NATO bombardement. cree from 1896 at the Mathematical-Physical Depart- Currently mounted in appropriate pavilions ment. Astronomy was reduced to an auxiliary sub- are the following instruments procured by Nedelj- ject, being left out of the secondary school teachers kovi´c: examinations by the Amendments of the Decree from 1. Large Refractor – Zeiss, 650/10550 mm, equa- September 30, 1900. Nothing changed even by the torial; institution of the University in 1905. From 1906 on 2. Double Photographic (2 × 200/800 mm and astronomy is an auxiliary subject at the First Study Visual 200/3020 mm. Refractor. This instru- Group of the Philosophical Faculty, Nedeljkovi´cbe- ment is currently operated as a Littrow Solar ing an associate professor. Spectrograph 200/9000, with effective spectral Nedeljkovi´c did not write any textbook of as- resolution of about 100 000; tronomy, so ”Cosmography” by Andonovi´cwasused 3. Large Transit Instrument ASKANIA by the students (Jankovi´c, 1986). Left behind as 190/2578 mm; manuscripts were ”Practical Astronomy for the 4. Large Vertical Circle ASKANIA 190/2578 Grand School Students” as well as the translations mm; of Meteorology by Van Bebber (1885-1886), of As- tronomy by Wolf (1877), Theoretical Astronomy by 5. Astrograph ZEISS 160/800 mm; Watson (1868) and Theoretical Meteorology by W. 6. Photo-visual Refractor ZEISS 135/1000 mm Ferrel (Jankovi´c, 1989), and a partial translation of and 125/1000 mm; Secchi’s book on stellar astronomy. 7. Transit instrument BAMBERG 100/1000 Thanks to Nedeljkovi´c’s enthusiasm, love of mm; astronomy and meteorology and to his outstanding 8. Zenith-Telescope ASKANIA 110/1287 mm. abilities, the first Observatory in Serbia was founded As Nedeljkovi´c was struggling for the new Ob- by the Decree of the Ministry of Education and Chu- servatory at which the acquired instruments were to rch Affairs on March 26, 1997 (old style). Initially be mounted and regular astronomical observations it was provisory, meant both for astronomical and started he suddenly was sent into retirement on Jan- meteorological observations and researches. By the uary 30, 1924. By the ruling of the Faculty Council same Decree it was ordained ”the Observatory to the Observatory was divided into two separate insti- be under direction and management of Mr. Milan tutions: Astronomical Observatory and Meteorolog- Nedeljkovi´c, professor of the Grand School”. ical Observatory of Belgrade University. Nedeljkovi´c started working at the provisory Nedeljkovi´c’s Observatory is of importance, Observatory on May 1, 1887 in the rented Geisler- besides for astronomy and meteorology, also for seis- family house. Here the Observatory was in operation mological and geomagnetical researches. By the end until May 1st, 1891, having then moved into, by then of 1903 Nedeljkovi´c borrowed instruments for geo- completed, its own building – currently Meteorolog- magnetic measurements from Tege Mikloˇs Konkolly, ical Observatory – in Karadjordje Park. In its minor the founder of the Budapest Astronomical Obser- museum area there is, since the celebration of cente- vatory, and builded an earth-magnetic pavilion. nary of its foundation in 1987, a room dedicated to Thanks to Konkolly, Nedeljkovi´c obtained in 1903 a the origins of astronomical science in Yugoslavia. seismograph too, installing it next year in a sepa- Nedeljkovi´c headed the Observatory from Ma- rate pavilion. The observations were made regularly. rch 26 (April 7) 1887 to January 30, 1924. A break To meat the expanded needs a special building at took place only between July 5, 1899 and October Taˇsmajdan was erected in 1906 – the Seismographic 31, 1900, when he was sent into retirement for polit- Institute of today. This activity was taken over by ical reasons, in connection with the Ivanjdan attempt Nedeljkovi´c’s aid Jelenko Mihajlovi´c(Vrbica,Jan- on King Milan, exploited by the King Alexander for uary 11, 1869 – Belgrade, October 11, 1956), collab- settling his accounts with the political opponents. orating at the Observatory since 1896. Nedeljkovi´c’s place was filled during this period by In addition to performing the duties of the Ob- Djordje Stanojevi´c (Negotin, April 7, 1858 – Paris servatory’s Director, Nedeljkovi´c wrote papers deal- Dec. 24, 1921), the first Serbian astrophysicist. ing with astronomical and meteorological subjects. During the Austro-Hungarian occupation in Shortly after the Observatory’s founding he started, World War I the Observatory was administered by in 1887, publishing monthly reports on meteorolog- Victor Konrad from Vienna. In their flight from ical observations made at the Observatory in ”Pro- Serbia the Austrians took away or destroyed all the svetni glasnik” (Education Messenger), the official instruments. However, thanks to his extraordinary periodical of the Royal-Serbian State Printing Firm. professional skills Nedeljkovi´c contrived to acquire From 1890 he started publishing daily reports on me- in Germany after the war, on account of war repa- teorological observations in ”Srpske novine” (Serbian rations, a number of instruments with appertaining Newspaper). Intense work and a great deal of time equipment for the new Observatory. Nedeljkovi´c dedicated to the organization of a net of The instruments procured by Nedeljkovi´ccon- meteorological stations throughout Serbia, which is stitute even now practically the only observing ba- evident also from his Bibliography. Most of the items 136 LIFE AND WORKS OF MILAN NEDELJKOVIC´ (1857-1950) in this Bibliography are dedicated to the direction 21 March. In this way he obtained a series of leap for work at those stations and for observations at years: 1900, 1904, 1908, 1913, 1921... He realized the them as well as to the annual reports on the Obser- defects of such calendar, i.e. the leap years not being vatory’s activity. His annual reports possess precious regularly spaced and offered another project accord- material on Observatory’s history, on the pioneering ing to which every fourth years was to be a leap year. observational activity in Serbia, containing his reflec- To achieve this he converted the secular leap years tions on various events and having also memoiristic into common ones, save those he calculated up to the elements. year 12000, but now the spring did not start always Championing the cause of science and truth on 21 March.