I was born in Baku (Azerbaijan) in February 20, 1944. In 1967 I have graduated the physical department of Azerbaijan State University and within 23 years have worked in the laboratory of stellar atmospheres (at beginning in Shemakha astrophysical observatory, then in Physical institute in Baku). My thesis was defenced in 1972 in Erevan. Theme of the work was "The astrophysical peculiarities of observations of neutron stars". One of the methods of neutron star discovery (observation of periodical X-ray radiation) was predicted in our (in collaboration with O.H.Guseinov) letter in 1968. Note that X-ray pulsars were discovered four years later by UHURU satellite.

In 1970-80 I investigated theoretical problems connecting with process of accretion of interstellar gas by relativistiic stars (single and members of binary systems), evolution of planetary nebulae, etc. In 1974 we published a letter (in collaboration with O.H.Guseinov) suggested that galactic X-ray background was created by radiation of several thousands of weak sources (4-5 orders weaker than Sco X-1 or Cyg X-1). We obtained that low sensitivity of the X-ray detectors did not allow to separate the X-ray background to discrete objects. Our hypothesis was criticized by practically all astrophysicists because idea of hot gas radiation contribution in the X-ray background was popular in that time. In January, 2000, the problem was decised by "Chandra" satellite X-ray telescopes. Weak X-ray sources were discovered and their contribution in X-ray background was proved.

In 1978 we (in collaboration with O.H.Guseinov and S.Yu.Rakhamimov) have published 'The Catalogue of X-ray sources' (The Astrophysical Journal, Supplement Series, vol. 41), where complete data on 625 X-ray sources were compilated. This Catalogue was used by soviet and american scientists in preparation of the X-ray space observations (particularly, in spacecrafts "Prognoz" and "Mir"). In the beginning of 1980 we have published several papers on low-mass close binary system evolution. In collaboration with O.H.Guseinov and Yu.S.Rustamov we elaborated new distance scale for galactic and extragalactic planetary nebulae based on their emission in radio range. After my repatriation to Israel (1990) I continued these investigations in Tel-Aviv University. I worked in Tel-Aviv University within three years and have published 8 scientific papers in "Montly notices of the Royal Astrophysical Society", "Astrophysics and Space science", etc.

Before repatriation I have published approximately 70 scientific letters and 4 science popular books: "Relativistic astrophysics today and tomorrow" (1979), "Supernovae" (1981), "Puzzles for experts" (1984), "Sky in X-rays" (1984).  The book "Relativistic astrophysics today and tomorrow" was rewarded in 1979 as the best among all books published by "Znanie" Publishing house (Moscow).

After my grant in Tel-Aviv university was finished (1995) I worked as editor in "Peak hour" and "Black mask" magazines. Ater June, 1997, I work as an editor-in-chief in "Alef" magazine, which is published in Israel and circulates in 47 countries. "Alef" publishes information on jewish life in Israel and diaspora as political commentary, interviews, jewish history essays, crime and science fiction stories, etc.

My first science fiction short story "Ikaria alpha" was published in 1959 in soviet magazine "Technics for youth". Then my SF short stories and novells were published in "Technics for youth", "Ural pathfinder", "Science and religion", "The knowledge is force" magazines and more than 20 SF antologies.

My first book "Today, tomorrow and always" was published in 1984. Moreover to novel "Today, tomorrow and always" the book included short stories "Link in the chain", "Twenty billion years after end of the World", "Getting over", "I am not guilty", "Above clouds, above mountains, above heaven". Other book named "Drops of stellar light" (1990) included the novel of the same name and short stories from the "Stellar captain Kim Yavorsky" cycle: "The wanderer", "The flying Eagle", "Steepness". At that year novel "Highest measure" was published.

After repatriation I wrote more than at all the preceding years. In Israel I have published two books: story "First day - last day" (1993) and novel "Men of the Code" (1997). I published also approximately 200 short stories and most of them were later united in several cycles. Mainly, it is prognostyc science fiction about Israel of XXI century - "real" and alternative. Short stories about Iona Sheket's adventures (jewish analogue of Jon Tichy by Stanislaw Lem) are united in six cycles: "Memuars of Iona Sheket", "Iona Sheket in the Time patrol", "Stellar adventures of Iona Sheket", "Iona Sheket in World of Spirits", "Institute of mad inventions" and "Iona Sheket as stellar spy".

In "First day - last day" story you can read about advent of Messiah after which the Creator turns time back towards to beginning of the Creation. Then God begins to create our Universe at the second time. "Men of the Code" novel also tells about Messiah's advent and Escape of the humanity from Earth. Famous SF writer Boris Strugatsky said about this novel: "It is the unusual, strange, wild novel. I read it with great pleasure and recommend to all who do not read".

In 1982 I have received the Diploma "The Great Circle" of SF amauter club assotiation for the most popularity among SF readers. Short story "Bow-shooting" was laureate of the "Technics for youth" magazine International competition (1981). At that year my short story "I am not guilty" was recognized as best SF short story published in "Technics and Science" magazine. Short story "Twenty billion years after end of the World" was included in SF antology "Science fiction of XX century" (1995). Novel "Men of the Code" was recognized in Fancon-97 as the best Russian language novel published in 1997 out of Russia.

In 1994 Club of SF amauters began work in Jerusalem. Each month fans of SF discuss on new novels and events, future and phylosofy. Information on this Club you can find in our site.

During many years I investigated the methods of SF ideas creation. At my opinion, SF work loses most of their significance if it does not include original SF idea (or topic). The Method of Creative Fantasy Development (MCFD) was elaborated by me in 1970-1980. In this work Roman Leonidov participated and I wrote with him also historical novel "The Trial". We could not create this method without discussions with Genrich Altshuller (Al'tov) and their helpful advices. In 1974 I wrote book "Magic crystal of fantasy". It was the educational supplay on MCFD for engineers and inventors. In 1999 I have remaked two chapters of this book: "Algorithm of new ideas" and "Patent foundation of Science Fiction". In 1986 Genrich Altchuller and me have created the Scale for SF idea estimation "Fantasy-2". In 1998 I have received the Diploma "Master of TRIZ", number 1 (see page TRIZ).

After 1995 I began to write crime stories and published several novels and more than 100 crime short stories united in the cycle "Adventures of sergeant Berkovich".

AMNUEL Pavel (afer emigration - Pesakh) Rafaelovich (born 1944)*. Russian soviet writer and astrophysicist. He was born in Baku (now - Azerbaijan), have graduated the physical department of Azerbaijan State University, worked in Shemakha astrophysical observatoty, where he investigated the problems of theoretical astrophysics. Then he worked in the Physical institute (Baku). He had third degree in astrophysics and have published more than 60 scientific letters and 5 books in his speciality. His first SF publication "Icaria alpha" was in "Technics for youths" (1959). A. emigrated to Israel in 1990. He lives in Jerusalem.

In spite of A. first SF book "Today, tomorrow and allways" was published only in 1984, the author was in that time within quarter of century one of liders of hard science fiction, follower and companion of Genrich Al'tov. As a rule, the heroes of A. novels are creative men, which courageously storm insoluble scientific problems. One of them is Noel Belcher from novel "Third side of medal" (1968, in collaboration with Roman Leonidov), the artist finding at Mars the messages from extraterrestrial civilizations. Also it is Igor Astahov, the hero of "Wanderer" short story (1975) and "Steepness" novel (1975), scientist and teacher, which creates erratology - science on mistakes. Astahov becomes all-powerfull and goes to stars by steps. Also they are "variators" from "Go on route" short story (1973) - men with variated genetical mechanism, which can live at extraterrestrial conditions, - and their creators. The topic of "Getting over" short story (1981) is contact with far neutron star civilization. This topic links with reasonings on genius, ecology of space, solving of scientifiic problems with methods of development of fantasy. In "Link in the chain" short story (1982) very different essences find each other: extragalactic gaseous cloud, thinking gravitational field and the man from Earth. In this link of civilizations one chain is absent: forth civilization destroyes itself. The problem of responsibility each man for others is most brightnessly elucidated in one of the best A. short stories (one of the best short stories of eighties) "Twenty billion years after end of the World"  (1984) where direct conformity between life at Earth and in the Universe is obtained. In this short story  author organically joins two topic plans: political resistance of Superstates in the present time with the nuclear war threat, and reminiscences of the human Universe destroyed by their civilizations. This action have created the Big Bang 20 billion years in the past. The novel "Today, tomorrow and always" (1984) relates to theme of contact of civilization and necessity of sacrifices for the understanding achievement.

 Later novel and short stories by A. were included in the "Highest measure" (1990) book. One of latest important works of the writer is the novel "The Explosion" (1986). Hero of the novel, brilliant american scientist discovers the medicine against cancer and simultaneously acquires all the qualities of Superman. Topic of the novel consists in conflict of the hero (which is the Messiah carrying new ideas to humanity) with american politics and army.

A. is an author of several works on the history of SF. In collaboration with G.Altov he elaborated the scale "Fantasy-2" for estimation of novelty, convincinity, human and artistic qualities of SF ideas.

* More accurate definition: I had the name Pesakh before repatriation. I was Pesakh all time, this name was in all my documents. But it was simpler in USSR to be as Pavel...