Among Simonov’s contributions are his many astronomical observations, the development of methods for such observations, and the design of a reflector. Simonov was among the first in Russia to study terrestrial magnetism. On his initiative two observatories were established in Kazan: an astronomical observatory in 1833 and an observatory for the study of magnetism in 1843. Simonov Island in the South Pacific and the northeastern cape of Peter I Island were named in Simonov’s honor.
Early life
He was born in Astrakhan` city with nobles family in 20 June 1794. To 1808 studied in Astrakhan` province gymnasium, then entered the Kazan gymnasium. In 1809, he started studying at Imperial Kazan University. After graduated in 1810 Simonov right away pass exam for scientific Bachelor degree by physical and mathematical science. The World Trip In 1819 with offer from Science Academy Simonov was assigned astronomer at The World Trip in southern hemisphere with boats “Vostok” and “Mirniy”. This expedition in a first time discovered shelf ice of the south polar continent – Antarctica Simonov is the first Russian astronomer who have deal with The World Trip. He make the first observations of stars in the southern hemisphere of the sky, what was not able to discover in Russia. Moreover, he was single scientist in this mission. In addition to astronomic observations and detection geographical coordinates, he was conducting magnetic observations and for the first time claimed South magnetic pole of the Earth is located at 76° South and 142.5° West.
Work
After return to Kazan in 1822, he was confirmed as an ordinary Professor of astronomy. In 1822-1823 and 1825-1830-Dean of the faculty of physics and mathematics of Kazan University. In 1828, he toured a significant part of the Kazan province and part of Simbirsk and Orenburg, where by astronomical observations he established the exact geographical coordinates of many cities, and with the help of a barometer he determined at what height the places he visited were located. At the initiative of I. M. Simonov, two observatories were founded in Kazan — the astronomical one, of which he was Director in 1838-1855, and the magnetic one.
Memory
• Simonov's island in the Pacific ocean, the southernmost in the Lau island group ; its local name is Tuvana-i-Colo. • Simonov glacier on the Antarctic island of Peter the Great. • Simonov was buried in the Kizichesky cemetery in Kazan, which was destroyed during the Soviet Union period. In 2010, a memorial stone was installed in the Kizichesky monastery at the supposed burial place of I. M. Simonov
