View source for Pushchino

{{Short description|Town in Moscow Oblast, Russia}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2012}}
{{Infobox Russian inhabited locality
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|ru_name=Пущино
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'''Pushchino''' ({{lang-rus|Пущино|p=ˈpuɕːɪnə}}) is a [[types of inhabited localities in Russia|town]] in [[Moscow Oblast]], [[Russia]], an important scientific center of the [[Russian Academy of Sciences]]. Situated {{convert|100|km|sp=us}} south of [[Moscow]], and 13&nbsp;km south-east of Serpukhov, on the right side of the [[Oka River]] opposite the [[Prioksko-Terrasny Nature Reserve]]. It is informally called Pushchino-on-Oka.{{citation needed|date=August 2011}} Population: {{ru-census|p2010=20,332|p2002=19,964|p1989=19,479}}

Pushchino Research Center of Russian Academy of Sciences has unique status and significance. It hosts a major component of [[Russian Federation]] endeavor in the fields of physical, chemical, and [[bio-molecular biology]]. It employs more than 3000 people, of whom 800 hold doctorates in [[science]] or [[medicine]]. Pushchino scientists have made seminal contributions to molecular and [[cell biology]], [[bio-organic chemistry]], [[plant]] and [[soil biology]], as well as to [[astronomy]] and [[astrophysics]] - including the discovery of the [[solar supercorona]] and radial [[magnetic fields]] within it, and the discovery of radio recombination lines of highly excited [[atom]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.psn.ru/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=43&Itemid=71|title=Лаборатория геномного редактирования и трансгенеза Института биофизики клетки РАН - PSN}}</ref>

==History==

The town takes its name from the village of Puschino, which was first mentioned in the 1579 records ('cadasters') of [[Ivan the Terrible]] as being a [[fiefdom]] of the Pushchin family. The modern town of Pushchino was founded in 1956 on the hill above the Oka River, some of the highest ground in the Moscow Region, to host the new [[Radio Astronomy]] Observatory, an important resource that continues to contribute to mapping of space flights. This was followed by the establishment of Pushchino as a Science City, focusing on biological sciences. It was granted town status in 1966.{{citation needed|date=March 2012}}

Several [[mesolithic]], [[neolithic]], and [[Bronze Age]] settlements exist in the area around Pushchino. Dyakovo culture artifacts have been found on the outskirts of the modern town.<ref>[[Dyakovo culture]]</ref> An [[Iron Age]] hillfort dates back 2500 years. 1&nbsp;km to the west of Pushchino on important Oka river ford in the 12th to 16th Centuries there stood the ancient Russian town of Teshilov (see<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://afisha.mosreg.ru/route/serpukhov-and-its-surroundings-vyatichi-vyazemskys |title=Serpukhov and its Surroundings: From Vyatichi to the Vyazemskys &#124; Афиша Подмосковья |access-date=June 30, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304132926/http://afisha.mosreg.ru/route/serpukhov-and-its-surroundings-vyatichi-vyazemskys |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>), [[earthworks (archaeology)|earthworks]] of which can be seen today.

At the end of the 18th century, a prominent country house was established overlooking the water at Pushchino, which for a time became the home of [[Alexander Alyabyev]] (1787–1851), an acclaimed composer. During [[World War II]] [[Axis powers|Axis]] tank divisions reached 20&nbsp;km from Pushchino, and until 1970 the mansion served as a hospital. The mansion was the setting for the director N. Mikhalkov's 1974 film ‘An Unfinished Play for Mechanical Piano'. The Pushchino mansion<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.google.ru/search?q=%D0%BF%D1%83%D1%89%D0%B8%D0%BD%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B0%D1%8F+%D1%83%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%B4%D1%8C%D0%B1%D0%B0&newwindow=1&biw=1920&bih=979&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=ycyPVbmaNYmosgGEnbXwAQ&sqi=2&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAg |title=Search results |website=www.google.ru}} {{Better source needed|date=August 2022}}</ref> is now in disrepair and the ruins are still an important tourist site.
German infantry took Pushchino briefly.

==Development of Pushchino==

The President of the USSR Academy of Science (Alexander Nesmeyanov, 1899-1980) advocated the formation of a biological research center equipped with the latest equipment and facilities. In 1955 the Council of Ministers established a special commission tasked to find a site in the Moscow region. By March 1956 two options were selected, both on the Oka River: at Tarusa, and the other at Pushchino. Given the proximity of Tarusa to Polenovo, an established cultural center, major new construction was deemed inappropriate, and in April 1956 it was decreed that a scientific campus would be constructed in the Moscow region, near the Pushchino village. The Russian Academy of Sciences was allotted a plot of land of 761.8 hectares for the construction of a scientific campus and radioastronomy station.

The structure of modern Pushchino was planned by scientists in the 1950s - two parallel roads, the residences, shops, and restaurants on the northerly road closer to the river, the institutes along the southerly road, and a large green zone and park between them.

First constructed was the [[Pushchino Radio Astronomy Observatory]], which, at the time, had the world's largest radio telescope: a parabolic antenna in the form of a giant cup and a complex network of antennas with a kilometer strip.

During construction of the town transport access was provided along a low-level road adjoining the Oka river. Seasonal flooding regularly made this road impassable for weeks, and in 1965 a new highway was constructed along the edge of the plateau to link Pushchino with [[Serpukhov]] to the west. The first institute, the Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, led by [[Nikolai Dmitrievich Jerusalimski]], was completed in 1969, followed by the [[Institute of Agricultural Chemistry and Soil Science]].

Today Pushchino is among the top-ranking academic centers in Russia.

==Geography==

Altitudes range from 104 m (beach of Oka) to 219 m on the plateau. The Oka river, one of the largest tributaries of the [[Volga]], is a typical lowland river in the forest zone of the European part of Russia with a well-established valley. Special aspects of Oka are frequent spring and autumn floods and large fluctuations in levels. Its width at Pushchino on average is 150-200m and does not exceed 250 m, and the depth reaches 3.75 m. Average flow velocity is 0.25&nbsp;m/s, mean volume 159 m³/s. Three rivers small at Pushchino make their way into the Oka: the Khokhla, the Neglyadeyka and the Lyubozhiha.

The banks of the Oka have [[carbon limestone]] outcrops on the surface, part of which is [[landslide]] blocks. In some places (the valley of the river Khokhla), [[limestone]] is covered with only a thin soil cover (15–20&nbsp;cm). Karst is active at such places. Pushchino takes its water from artesian wells and the carbonate bedrock provides very calcium-rich groundwater. [[Glacial moraine]]s cover the limestone at some distance from the river, while the [[floodplain]] of the Oka is fringed by remnants of late-Pleistocene sandy [[dune]]s on the surface of upper terraces. Thus, the relief of Pushchino is a [[preglacial]] elevated plateau, overlapped with [[Dnieper]] moraine and dismembered by deep erosion embedded to a depth of 130–140 m.

=== Climate ===

The [[climate]] is determined mainly by the impact of the transfer of [[air masses]] from the [[Atlantic Ocean]], interrupted often by invasion of cold air masses from the [[Arctic]] in the rear of [[cyclones]]. In general, the climate of Pushchino is moderately continental, with moderately cold winters, warm summers and fairly stable [[humidity]]. In winter, invasions of the Atlantic cyclones are usual, which lead to frequent thaws and the rising of the temperature to 5-8&nbsp;°C.

Average annual temperature is +3.9&nbsp;°C, but in winter the temperature is commonly -20, the coldest recorded temperature being -44&nbsp;°C. From Springtime onwards the temperature warms, with mid-20s to mid-30s being usual; the highest recorded temperature at Pushchino was 39&nbsp;°C.

Average annual precipitation is 582&nbsp;mm, most falling during the warm season (April to October: 394&nbsp;mm, 70%), with 30% falling during the cold season (188&nbsp;mm, 30%). Summer [[precipitation]] often takes the form of stormwater, leading to [[erosion]] of [[arable land]]s.

Snow in the winter comprises 20% of precipitation. Typically wide snow cover forms by late November, reaching a maximum height at the beginning of March (average 44&nbsp;cm, 99&nbsp;cm at maximum and 13&nbsp;cm at minimum).

===Forest, natural reserves and protected areas===

The Oka river draws an approximate line between [[coniferous]] and [[deciduous forest]]s. North of the Oka at Pushchino begins a mixed forest including [[spruce]] and [[birch]] that extends to [[Northern Russia]]. Pushchino itself and further south are characterized by broad-leaved forests, with a predominance of [[oak]], [[Tilia|linden]], [[elm]], [[ash (tree)|ash]], [[aspen]], and without any admixture of spruce, before giving way to cultivated land. Near the river [[willow]] trees grow in dense thickets.

Pushchino City has an active conservation program - Ecopolis - that has identified several areas now subject to conservation measures. These include:
# [[Lyubozhikha River Valley]]: a protected area is located at the foot of Pushchino hill. Wildlife species include nightingales, orioles, owls, and beavers.
# [[Teshilov]] hillfort: a historical monument that is now subject to state preservation. It is located 700 meters from the river Lyubozhikha. Earthwork ramparts and moat are well preserved. In 1925 [[archeological excavation]]s discovered a fortress on the site dating to the 12th century. The settlement was mentioned in Russian chronicles in 1147.
# [[Khokhla River Valley]]: this protected area lies 2.5&nbsp;km west of Lyubozhikha between the lower and upper roads to Serpukhov. This deep valley is renowned for its natural beauty, with dense forestation, meadow hills, limestone outcrops, and waterfalls. Rare flowers include [[forget-me-nots]], [[anemone]]s, [[gentian]]s, and [[coronilla elfwort]]s. The Zaoksky Forestry Commission reports an exceptional diversity of tree species; recent construction work imperils the reserve.
# [[Entomological]] Meadow: this protected area is located in the south-western outskirts of the city and occupies a meadow on slope of the right tributary of the Lyubozhikha river (Solonovka creek). The name of the river shows its direction (the old Russian word "Sologne", "posolon" meaning "going behind the Sun", that is, from east to west). Until the 1930 this was the site of a village (Solonovka). The meadow slopes are a home to rare species of butterflies: the red and ordinary [[melitaea]], [[small limenitis]], [[chalkhill blue]], [[Nordmannia spini]], skippers and others.
# Solonovsky Wood protected area: a deep ravine of Solonovka east from the Pushchino-Serpukhov road. "Gremyak" creek falls on limestone from high slope.
# Birch Grove protected area: a pure birch forest on the Solonovka tributary south of Pushchino (the Endova site).
# Oak Wood protected area: also known as Perlovskii Reserve, an area dominated by mature oak trees.
# Neglyadeyka River Valley protected area: a narrow strip of forested slopes of the eastern tributary of the Oka at the eastern boundary of Puschino with villages of Balkovo and Mitinki.

==Administrative and municipal status==

Within the [[subdivisions of Russia#Administrative divisions|framework of administrative divisions]], it is incorporated as '''Pushchino [[City of federal subject significance|Town Under Oblast Jurisdiction]]'''—an administrative unit with the status equal to that of the [[administrative divisions of Moscow Oblast|districts]].<ref name="Ref1406">Law #11/2013-OZ</ref> As a [[subdivisions of Russia#Municipal divisions|municipal division]], Pushchino Town Under Oblast Jurisdiction is incorporated as '''Pushchino Urban Okrug'''.,<ref name="Ref796">Law #129/2004-OZ</ref> and was officially recognized as a Science City of the Russian Federation in 2006.

==Science==

Pushchino is an academic research center focusing on [[microbiology]], [[molecular biology]], [[biophysics]], and [[astronomy]]. The town hosts a core group of key Research institutes and a University Institute:
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20051120081832/http://www.ibbp.psn.ru/engl/ Institute of Basic Biological Problems]
*[http://ibpm.ru/ Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms]
*[http://www.ibch.ru/en/ Institute of Bio-Organic Chemistry, Pushchino Branch]
*[http://www.icb.psn.ru/ Institute of Cell Biophysics]
*[http://www.impb.ru/ Institute of Mathematical Problems of Biology]
*[http://www.protres.ru/ Institute of Protein Research]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070927141341/http://web.iteb.ru/ Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics]
*[http://www.prao.ru/English/ Pushchino Radioastronomy Observatory]
*Pushchino State University, now the Pushchino State Institute of Natural Sciences, and a branch of [[Moscow State University]]

Pushchino hosts the annual Russia-wide 'Conference of Young Scientists'<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ibpm.ru/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=205:------l---xxi-r&catid=21:conf-young&Itemid=47 | title=Международная Пущинская школа-конференция молодых учёных "Биология – наука XXI века" }}</ref>

==Culture==

The prevailing religious culture is of [[Russian Orthodoxy]], and a new church of [[Archangel Michael]] was completed in 1990. The School of Music, named after [[A. Alyabyev]], has about 300 students, and Pushchino hosts the annual and widely renowned 'Song and Bard Festival'. The town facilities include Sport Palace Oka, [[ski training]], and a [[rowing]] base 'Delphin' on the Oka. A focus for cultural life is the 'House of Scientists'.

==Notable people ==
<!-- Please only include people who have a biography article in Wikipedia  -->
*[[Konstantin Malofeev]] (born 1974), Russian businessman

==See also==
*[[Pushchino Radio Astronomy Observatory]]

==References==

===Notes===
{{Reflist}}

===Sources===
*{{RussiaAdmMunRef|mos|adm|law}}
*{{RussiaAdmMunRef|mos|mun|list|pushchino}}

==External links==
*[http://pushchinocity.ru/ Official website of Pushchino]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/19980117143041/http://www.psn.ru/ Pushchino Science Center]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080820015808/http://www.puschino.com/ Photo Essay about Pushchino]

{{Moscow Oblast}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities and towns in Moscow Oblast]]
[[Category:Naukograds]]