In memoriam. Erik Tago (1950–2021)

On Estonia's Independence Day, February 24, our former colleague Erik Tago passed due to an illness. He dedicated a lot of energy to galaxy groups, clusters and superclusters.

Having graduated from Paide's 1st Gymnasium, Erik went to study physics at the University of Tartu. Soon he made his way to Tõravere and started observing globular star clusters, which led his interest towards bigger and bigger groupings of stars and galaxies. Throughout the years, Erik was part of the most important works about the large scale structure of the Universe. These works included the ones for which the authors – with Academy Member Jaan Einasto at the top of the list – were rewarded the Estonian National Research Award for a scientific discovery that changed the paradigm of or world view in the relevant area in 2007.

With great enthusiasm, Erik also took part of the activities of the University of Tartu Old Observatory, ensuring that astronomy news were published in the online journal Vaatleja (Observer) as well as the Old Observatory's Calendar.

During his last years, health issues unfortunately kept him from dedicating his full energy to science, but he did not lose his fascination with the processes of the Universe. Colleagues will remember his punctuality, hard-working spirit and great work capacity. We are thinking of his family at this difficult time, and wishing Erik a peaceful journey in the endlessness of the Universe.