World famous astrophysicist Victor Hambardzumyan 2012 international award will be granted to Estonian professor Jaan Einasto and Russian professor Igor Novikov.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, chairman of the Armenian National Academy of Sciences Radik Martorisyan said this year the prize will be divided into two parts with each winner receiving $250 thousand.

First class scientist of Byurakan Observatory Areg Mikayelyan said the award committee has thoroughly analyzed all the nominated scientific works choosing the ones of the above mentioned professors.

Armenian President established the award in 2009. It is handed once in two years. The prize is granted with the purpose of commemorating the name of the great astrophysicist and to foster the development of his scientific legacy. The fund of the prize, which is awarded biennially for prominent scientific achievements in astrophysics and adjoining fields, is 500,000 USD. The committee of the award is headed by Radik Martirosyan.

The official handing ceremony of the 2012 prize is scheduled for September 18 in Yerevan.