Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory: Difference between revisions
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==History== |
==History== |
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[[File:The_Smithsonian_Astrophysical_Observatory_on_the_National_Mall,_1909.png|thumb|420px|The [[Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory]] (SAO) on the South Yard of the [[Smithsonian Castle]] in [[Washington, D.C.]], in 1909. In 1973, SAO moved to [[Cambridge, Massachusetts]] and unified with the [[Harvard College Observatory]] to form the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. ]] |
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The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory was founded in 1890 by [[Samuel Pierpont Langley]], the Smithsonian's third Secretary, primarily for studies of the sun<ref>{{cite web |
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| url = https://www.cfa.harvard.edu/about/aboutSAO |
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| accessdate = 2015-09-03 }}</ref>. Langley is remembered today as an aeronautical pioneer, but he was trained as an astronomer and was the first American scientist to perceive "astrophysics" as a distinct field. Langley invented the [[bolometer]] and discovered [[infrared]] radiation from the sun. Sixty-five years later, in 1955, SAO under the directorship of [[Fred Lawrence Whipple|Fred Whipple]] established an optical network for tracking the first artificial satellites. From this pioneering effort, the size and scope of SAO grew with the international space program to include major research in virtually all branches of astrophysics. |
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[[Samuel Pierpont Langley]], the third [[Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution|Secretary of the Smithsonian]], founded the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory on the south yard of the [[Smithsonian Institution Building|Smithsonian Castle]] (on the U.S. [[National Mall]]) on March 1,[[1890s|1890]]. The Astrophysical Observatory's initial, primary purpose was to "''record the amount and character of the Sun's heat''<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=DeVorkin|first=David H.|title=Fred Whipple's Empire: The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, 1955-1973|publisher=Smithsonian Institution Scholarly Press|year=2018|isbn=|location=|pages=}}</ref>". [[Charles Greeley Abbot]] was named SAO's first director, and the observatory operated [[solar telescope]]s to take daily measurements of the [[Sun]]'s intensity in different regions of the [[Electromagnetic spectrum|optical electromagnetic spectrum]]. In doing so, the observatory enabled Abbot to make critical refinements to the [[Solar constant]], as well as to serendipitously discover [[Solar cycle|Solar variability]]. It is likely that SAO's early history as a [[solar observatory]] was part of the inspiration behind the Smithsonian's [https://www.underconsideration.com/brandnew/archives/new_logo_for_smithsonian_institution_by_fisk_studio.php "sunburst" logo], designed in 1965 by [[Crimilda Pontes]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://siarchives.si.edu/blog/crimilda-pontes-original-designer-smithsonian-sunburst|title=Crimilda Pontes: The Original Designer of the Smithsonian Sunburst|last=Anonymous|date=2020-03-24|website=Smithsonian Institution Archives|language=en|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref> |
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In 1955, the SAO moved from [[Washington, D.C.]] to [[Cambridge, Massachusetts]] to affiliate with the [[Harvard College Observatory]] (HCO). The merger allowed the institution to expand staff, facilities, and scientific scope. [[Fred Whipple]], the first director of SAO in this new era, accepted a national challenge to create a worldwide satellite-tracking network, a decision that would establish SAO as a pioneer and leader in space science research.{{cn|date=May 2019}} |
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In 1955, the scientific headquarters of SAO moved from [[Washington, D.C.]] to [[Cambridge, Massachusetts]] to affiliate with the [[Harvard College Observatory]] (HCO).<ref name=":0" /> [[Fred Lawrence Whipple]], then the chairman of the Harvard Astronomy Department, was named the new director of SAO. The collaborative relationship between SAO and HCO therefore predates the official creation of the CfA by 18 years. SAO's move to Harvard's campus also resulted in a rapid expansion of its research program. Following the launch of ''[[Sputnik 1|Sputnik]]'' (the world's first human-made satellite) in 1957, SAO accepted a national challenge<ref>{{Cite book|last=Spiller|first=James|title=Frontiers for the American Century|chapter=Rising to the Sputnik Challenge|date=2015|work=Frontiers for the American Century: Outer Space, Antarctica, and Cold War Nationalism|pages=21–64|editor-last=Spiller|editor-first=James|series=Palgrave Studies in the History of Science and Technology|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan US|language=en|doi=10.1057/9781137507877_2|isbn=978-1-137-50787-7}}</ref> to create a worldwide satellite-tracking network, collaborating with the [[United States Air Force]] on [[Project Space Track (1957-1961)|Project Space Track]]. |
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Smithsonian and the USAF [[Project Space Track (1957-1961)|Project Space Track]] shared observations and [[ephemerides]] throughout the early days of satellite tracking, 1957–1961. |
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With the creation of [[NASA]] the following year and throughout the [[Space Race|space race]], SAO led major efforts in the development of [[Space telescope|orbiting observatories]] and large [[ground-based telescope]]s, laboratory and [[theoretical astrophysics]], as well as the [[Computer|application of computers]] to astrophysical problems. |
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In 1973, the ties between Smithsonian and Harvard were strengthened and formalized by the creation of the joint [[Harvard–Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics]] CfA.<ref>{{cite web|title=About CfA |url=https://www.cfa.harvard.edu/about/aboutCfA|work=HARVARD & SMITHSONIAN CENTER FOR ASTROPHYSICS | |date=||accessdate=2019-05-29}}</ref> |
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===Remote stations=== |
===Remote stations=== |
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Revision as of 16:07, 24 June 2020
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2013) |
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) is a research institute of the Smithsonian Institution, concentrating on astrophysical studies including galactic and extragalactic astronomy, cosmology, solar, earth and planetary sciences, theory and instrumentation, using observations at wavelengths from the highest energy gamma rays to the radio, along with gravitational waves. Established in Washington, D.C., in 1890, the SAO moved its headquarters in 1955 to Cambridge, Massachusetts, where its research is a collaboration with the Harvard College Observatory (HCO) and the Harvard University Department of Astronomy. In 1973, the Smithsonian and Harvard formalized the collaboration as the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian (CfA) under a single Director.
History
Samuel Pierpont Langley, the third Secretary of the Smithsonian, founded the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory on the south yard of the Smithsonian Castle (on the U.S. National Mall) on March 1,1890. The Astrophysical Observatory's initial, primary purpose was to "record the amount and character of the Sun's heat[1]". Charles Greeley Abbot was named SAO's first director, and the observatory operated solar telescopes to take daily measurements of the Sun's intensity in different regions of the optical electromagnetic spectrum. In doing so, the observatory enabled Abbot to make critical refinements to the Solar constant, as well as to serendipitously discover Solar variability. It is likely that SAO's early history as a solar observatory was part of the inspiration behind the Smithsonian's "sunburst" logo, designed in 1965 by Crimilda Pontes.[2]
In 1955, the scientific headquarters of SAO moved from Washington, D.C. to Cambridge, Massachusetts to affiliate with the Harvard College Observatory (HCO).[1] Fred Lawrence Whipple, then the chairman of the Harvard Astronomy Department, was named the new director of SAO. The collaborative relationship between SAO and HCO therefore predates the official creation of the CfA by 18 years. SAO's move to Harvard's campus also resulted in a rapid expansion of its research program. Following the launch of Sputnik (the world's first human-made satellite) in 1957, SAO accepted a national challenge[3] to create a worldwide satellite-tracking network, collaborating with the United States Air Force on Project Space Track.
With the creation of NASA the following year and throughout the space race, SAO led major efforts in the development of orbiting observatories and large ground-based telescopes, laboratory and theoretical astrophysics, as well as the application of computers to astrophysical problems.
Remote stations
SAO has operated a number of remote stations over the years.[4][5]
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The SAO today
Currently, more than 300 scientists at the CfA are engaged in a broad program of research in astronomy, astrophysics, earth and space sciences, and science education.[citation needed]
SAO's pioneering efforts in the development of orbiting observatories and large ground-based telescopes, the application of computers to astrophysical problems, and the integration of laboratory measurements, theoretical astrophysics, and observations across the electromagnetic spectrum have contributed much to our current understanding of the universe.
The Chandra X-ray Observatory is managed and operated by SAO from Cambridge. With the University of Arizona, SAO also manages the MMT Observatory.[citation needed]
Directors
- Samuel Pierpont Langley 1890–1906[6]
- Charles Greeley Abbot 1906–1942[6]
- Loyal Blaine Aldrich 1942–1955[6]
- Fred Lawrence Whipple 1955–1973[6]
- George B. Field 1973–1982[6] (with the creation of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in 1973, the director of SAO and the Harvard College Observatory became a joint position)
- Irwin I. Shapiro 1982–2004[6]
- Charles R. Alcock 2004–[7]
References
- ^ a b DeVorkin, David H. (2018). Fred Whipple's Empire: The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, 1955-1973. Smithsonian Institution Scholarly Press.
- ^ Anonymous (2020-03-24). "Crimilda Pontes: The Original Designer of the Smithsonian Sunburst". Smithsonian Institution Archives. Retrieved 2020-04-29.
- ^ Spiller, James (2015). "Rising to the Sputnik Challenge". In Spiller, James (ed.). Frontiers for the American Century. Palgrave Studies in the History of Science and Technology. Palgrave Macmillan US. pp. 21–64. doi:10.1057/9781137507877_2. ISBN 978-1-137-50787-7.
{{cite book}}:|work=ignored (help) - ^ Wright, F. W.; Hodge, P. W. (1965). "The Volcanic Dust Sampling Program of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observing Stations". SAO Special Report #172 (1965). 172: 172. Bibcode:1965SAOSR.172.....W.
- ^ Roosen, Robert G.; Angione, Ronald J. (1977). "Variations in Atmospheric Water Vapor: Baseline Results from Smithsonian Observations". Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. 89: 814. Bibcode:1977PASP...89..814R. doi:10.1086/130233.
- ^ a b c d e f "SAO Directors: 1834 - Present". Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. Retrieved 2015-09-03.
- ^ "Charles Alcock Named Director of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics". Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. Retrieved 2015-09-17.
External links
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