Angel-guardian of Russian astrophysics

Astrophysicist Boris Valentinovich Comberg passed away. He was not a bright star in science and worked in the shadow of people like Zeldovich, Shklovsky, Novikov, Kardashev. Published a lot of good, but not outstanding works. But for some reason, his death, unexpected and untimely in his almost 82 years (it seemed that time does not take him at all), touches more than the death of some celebrity (two who performed in a civilian memorial service, swelling, almost burst into tears).

In addition to people, there are people who create an environment in which these stars are worth something. Perhaps Boris was an angel-guardian of the environment of Russian astrophysics. At all seminars and conferences-with a notebook, he will always ask a question, especially if no one else has questions, he will always say: “This will probably be interesting to you”-and give a printout, or: “You should talk to that, he did this and that.” He surprisingly effectively knew how to extinguish conflicts and appease the warring parties. Of course, he was the secretary of the seminar of the Zeldovich department, then Shklovsky and remained active to the end - both in science and in life. Boris was known as a man who knows everything. This, of course, does not happen; Nevertheless, the walking encyclopedia of the cosmos can be called without stretching.

There are still people who, from the point of view of modern morals, should be characterized as “pathologically honest”. This is about him. And "pathologically responsive" - ​​too. And unusually generous, - he always willingly shared everything that he had: books, scientific ideas, money, in the end. Boris worried about everything that was happening in the country and, probably, did not miss a single significant rally or procession in recent years - from rallies in defense of science to processions in defense of their dignity.

He wrote poetry. I think he would be glad if he found out that this was published in his memory, written by him in 1967 - in the era of storm and onslaught in astrophysicik.

The universe was also young,
And her flame of creature fought in her chest!
Like a woman, having lost power over her,
She surrendered to the will of the moment.

And in the fiery dance of space and time,
Trusting blindly unknown forces,
She was resolved from heavy burden,
Giving the beginning of worlds and luminaries ...

The breath is hot secrets of the Great
The quantum streams will touch you,
And space is a huge alien many -sided
Through the darkness of the universe you will smile at you.

And the one who saw the smiles of that reflection,
Who shuddered for a moment and froze blinded,
He will be all his life, having forgotten the dream and rest,
Search for her again in the vastness of the universe.

B.​ Sh .