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Soviet astronomy ranks high. Professor Donald Menzel, head of Harvard College Observatory, found Russian astronomers equal to their U.S. colleagues in imagination and ability. Pulkovo Observatory at Leningrad, which has a scientific staff of 400, is particularly fine. The Russians have some excellent men in astrophysics—such as L. S. Shklovsky, who proved that the glow of the Crab Nebula is caused by high-speed electrons passing through the nebula's magnetic field—but top performers are not numerous.
Russian telescopes and other astronomical instruments are far behind U.S. instruments. The Russians' biggest optical telescope is a 50-in. reflector that they took from the Germans after World War II. They are building a 104-in. reflector and designing a 200-incher. Their radio telescopes are good, but no better than those of France or Holland.
Some other physical sciences—such as geology and oceanography—seem to be pretty good, and Professor (of Engineering) Albert Dietz of M.I.T. was impressed by a research institute on the outskirts of Moscow devoted to pure research on concrete. The lab had developed a completely automated machine that produced concrete units on a vast assembly line controlled by a single man pushing buttons. But Dietz felt that the Russians are sacrificing quality for speed. They are producing an enormous number of concrete apartment houses by such techniques, says Dietz, "but they're building a lot of maintenance problems."
Soviet chemistry did not win much admiration from visiting U.S. chemists. Dr. Leon Dorfman, chemist at Argonne National Laboratory, saw no outstanding programs in chemistry, and a lot that were pretty poor. Dr. Dorfman suspects that for some reason the Russians have not routed their best men into chemistry.
Underdog Biology. Biochemistry and other biological sciences are even less favored. Biochemists work in poorly equipped laboratories, and most of their meager funds are allocated to practical projects related to public health. There is little opportunity for basic research or the pursuit of promising but distant goals. Said Harvard's Bacteriologist Bernard Davis: "The Russians take planning seriously. A committee of elders decided what problems need solving this year."
U.S. scientists note with mixed feelings the high social status of their Soviet colleagues. Top Russian scientists live like top U.S. business executives, with city apartments, houses in the country, chauffeur-driven cars and servants. Their U.S. counterpart often earns less than the plumber who cleans his drains. Even low-ranking Russian scientists get all sorts of special privileges. Scientists, for instance, do not queue up like common people; they go right to the head of the line, and nobody objects.