Scientific activity

1) Astrophysics

Dr. Irakli Simonia investigated the dynamics of cometary atmospheres with a change of their heliocentric distances using the isophotometric atlas of comets and the “Compression-size“ method. He proposed a strategy for space research of short-period comets – triple sounding.  He studied the statistics of the appearance of short-period comets and revealed a correlation of their appearance with a fall of the iron meteorites, invented the method of luminescence microstructurography and applied it to individual samples of the iron meteorite “Sikhote-Alin”. He revealed the surface microstructure of sections of iron meteorites in the form of caverns and microcracks. This invention belongs to the field of technical physics (Georgia Patent 404). He studied the properties of cometary nuclei, described some photochemical processes on the surfaces of the icy satellites of the giant planets.

Dr. Irakli Simonia developed a new theory of photoluminescence of cometary ice and dust; Developed a new model of frozen hydrocarbon particles of cometary atmospheres; Described the properties of these particles in the form of icy micro-grains – frozen mixtures of aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons, and applied this theory and model to the study of ice of comet 122P/de Vico, 153P/Ikeya-Zhang, 19P/Borrelly, etc., demonstrated that previously unknown, unidentified emissions of optical spectra of comets represent the photoluminescence of the frozen hydrocarbon particles of the icy cometary halo;  Developed a new theory of thermoluminescence of solid cometary matter, including carbonaceous dust.

Dr. Irakli Simonia (together with a co-author) has developed the theory of cathodoluminescence of the cometary dust, revealing a number of previously unknown types of mineral grains of the cometary halo.

He investigated (together with his colleagues) cathodoluminescence of the pre-solar grains – nanometric minerals of the meteorite substance within the interests of the problem of the origin and evolution of cometary dust and nebulae dust.

He demonstrated (together with a co-author) that the frozen hydrocarbon matter of comets, including relict matter, may contain prebiotics or their structural analogues, which luminesce under the influence of certain external factors.

Dr. Irakli Simonia developed (together with a co-author) a new theory of visible reddening of Trans-Neptunian Objects, explaining this phenomenon by double scattering of sunlight by nanometric dust of an ecliptic cloud.

He prepared (together with co-authors) a consolidated catalog of unidentified emissions of the optical spectra of comets.

The above mentioned new theories and the results of researches are published.

He developed a new model of frozen hydrocarbon particles for interstellar and circumstellar matter, explored the nebula CED 201 and revealed  in its dusty matter existence of frozen hydrocarbon particles  of various compositions; Demonstrated that previously unidentified emissions of the optical spectra of this nebula represent the photoluminescence of a complex organic.

He described (together with a co-author) the features of the processes of photoluminescence and cathodoluminescence of cosmic dust and revealed the carbonaceous dust in the nebula NGC 7027, developed a new theory explaining a mechanism of  the formation of diffuse interstellar bands in the spectra of galactic objects  – a phenomenon of interstellar quasiline absorption.

He identified over 28% of the previously unidentified diffuse interstellar bands.

Dr. Irakli Simonia proposed a concept of a new optical filter in the form of a frozen polycrystalline mixture of hydrocarbons. He is currently continuing research of the luminescence of ice and dust of comets and circumstellar matter. Dr. Simonia studies the processes of scattering and absorption of radiation by interplanetary and interstellar icy and mineral dust, continues investigations in other fields too. All these new theories and the results of research are published.

2) Ancient astronomy

The investigations conducted by I. Simonia in the field of ancient astronomy cover both the history of astronomy and archaeoastronomy. In particular, he investigated the development of astronomical knowledge of the Age of enlightenment in Western Europe, investigated the development of the cosmological worldview and astronomical knowledge in the ancient Georgia during the period of 16^th century BC – 18^th century AD, studied (together with co-authors) the possible astronomical significance of some architectural complexes in Georgia of the period of antiquity and the medieval written ethnoastronomical materials. He proposed (together with co-authors) a concept of “solar stations” as megalithic multifunctional complexes of ritual, observational, and calendar significance, described (together with co-authors) some astronomical monuments of the Caucasian  region, investigated a number of Georgian astronomical manuscripts and prepared (together with co-authors) an e-book –  a  scientific database on astronomical manuscripts in Georgia. Studied astronomical manuscript “Star book” and prepared the special monograph “The Astronomical Significance of the Manuscript Star book.”

Dr. Irakli Simonia developed a new theory – astronomy in ancient Georgia.

Currently, Dr. Simonia continues investigations of astromegalithes of different eras and astromanuscripts of cosmological and general astronomical significance, including possible projections and translations of Almagest and Alfonsine tables.

These theories, concepts, and the results of investigations are published.

Dr. Irakli Simonia created the world’s first PhD program in archaeoastronomy at Ilia State University, where he has pioneered the study of astronomy in ancient Georgia.

Academic Activity

Dr. Irakli Simonia gives lectures on astronomy and astrophysics, supervises PhD students. In particular, he  conducts the following courses:

1. Molecular Astrophysics and Cosmochemistry;
2. Astronomy;
3. Astronomy – special course;
4. Archaeoastronomy and Cultural Astronomy.