Yakov Borisovich Zel’dovich (1914–1987) was a renowned Soviet physicist known for significant contributions to nuclear physics, astrophysics, and cosmology. Involved in the Soviet atomic bomb project, he later co-developed the Sunyaev-Zel’dovich effect, explaining cosmic microwave background radiation’s origin. Zel’dovich also made notable strides in fluid dynamics, particularly detonation and combustion theory. His influence extended to the Soviet space program, where he contributed to hydrogen bomb development and early space mission planning. Awarded the USSR State Prize and Lenin Prize, Zel’dovich’s multifaceted legacy continues to impact physics and astrophysics.
Yakov Borisovich Zel’dovich Quotes
1. “Without publicity there is no prosperity.”
— Yakov Borisovich Zel’dovich
2. “GTR is a theory of gravitation; it describes gravitation as the action of masses upon the properties of space and time; in turn, these properties of space and time affect the motion of bodies and other physical processes.”
— Yakov Borisovich Zel’dovich
3. “Figuratively speaking, the world is multicolored; and the gravitational field produces only a black and white photograph of it, which cannot do justice to the stormy colors of nature.”
— Yakov Borisovich Zel’dovich
4. “GTR has an extreme inner beauty and elegance; the construction of the GTR required the introduction of only one constant – the constant of gravitation.”
— Yakov Borisovich Zel’dovich
5. “In the case of gravitational waves from double stars, one must take account of their strictly periodic character, such waves are not chaotic.”
— Yakov Borisovich Zel’dovich
6. “Roughly speaking, the electromagnetic field has energy; and this energy has weight, like any other energy.”
— Yakov Borisovich Zel’dovich
7. “The resemblance between the Coulomb force and Newton’s gravitational force is very impressive.”
— Yakov Borisovich Zel’dovich
8. “If Landau would have been here he would have stopped you after twenty seconds.”
— Yakov Borisovich Zel’dovich
9. “Nobody will notice me in the first row.”
— Yakov Borisovich Zel’dovich
10. “Not just ‘thanks’! These are fifty years of my work.”
— Yakov Borisovich Zel’dovich
11. “As a theoretical physicist, I consider myself a student of Lev Davidovich Landau.”
— Yakov Borisovich Zel’dovich
12. “What use is it to study abstractly? You should find and solve some problem, that way you’ll really learn.”
— Yakov Borisovich Zel’dovich
