TheSmithsonian Astrophysical Observatory(SAO) is a research institute of theSmithsonian Institution,concentrating onastrophysical studiesincludinggalacticandextragalactic astronomy,cosmology,solar,earth and planetary sciences,theoryand instrumentation, using observations atwavelengthsfrom the highest energygamma raysto theradio,along withgravitational waves.Established inWashington, D.C.,in 1890, the SAO moved its headquarters in 1955 toCambridge, Massachusetts,where its research is a collaboration with theHarvard College Observatory(HCO) and theHarvard UniversityDepartment of Astronomy. In 1973, the Smithsonian and Harvard formalized the collaboration as theCenter for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian(CfA) under a single Director.
 The Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian (CfA) Headquarters inCambridge, Massachusetts.The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) has been joined with the CfA since 1973. | |
| Abbreviation | SAO |
|---|---|
| Established | 1890 |
| Purpose | Research inastronomy,astrophysics,Earth, andspace sciences |
| Headquarters | 60 Garden Street,Cambridge, Massachusetts,United States |
Director | Lisa Kewley |
| Staff | 850+ |
| Website | www |
History
editSamuel Pierpont Langley,the thirdSecretary of the Smithsonian,founded the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory on the south yard of theSmithsonian 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 Abbotwas named SAO's first director, and the observatory operatedsolar telescopesto take daily measurements of theSun's intensity in different regions of theoptical electromagnetic spectrum.In doing so, the observatory enabled Abbot to make critical refinements to theSolar constant,as well as to serendipitously discoverSolar variability.It is likely that SAO's early history as asolar observatorywas part of the inspiration behind the Smithsonian's"sunburst" logo,designed in 1965 byCrimilda Pontes.[2]
In 1955, the scientific headquarters of SAO moved fromWashington, D.C.toCambridge, Massachusettsto affiliate with theHarvard 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 ofSputnik(the world's first human-made satellite) in 1957, SAO accepted a national challenge[3]to create a worldwide satellite-tracking network, collaborating with theUnited States Air ForceonProject Space Track.[4]
With the creation ofNASAthe following year and throughout thespace race,SAO led major efforts in the development oforbiting observatoriesand largeground-based telescopes,laboratory andtheoretical astrophysics,as well as theapplication of computersto astrophysical problems.
| SAO Director | Years as Director |
|---|---|
| Samuel Pierpont Langley | 1890–1906 |
| Charles Greeley Abbot | 1906-1942 |
| Loyal Blaine Aldrich | 1942-1955 |
| Fred Lawrence Whipple | 1955-1973 |
| George B. Field | 1973-1982 |
| Irwin I. Shapiro | 1982-2004 |
| Charles R. Alcock | 2004-2022 |
| Lisa Kewley | 2022-present |
Remote stations
editSAO has operated a number of remote stations over the years.[5][6]
SAO Today
editThe current director of the SAO isLisa Kewley(2022 to present). There are currently about 170 research staff working at the SAO, including affiliated research staff. In addition, the SAO has about 120 postdoctoral researchers/fellows working in five competitive, associated fellowship programs: CfA, Clay, SMA, ITAMP, andLeon Van Speybroeck,or in support of a contract or grant. (Additional postdocs do research via Harvard fellowship programs or national/international fellowship awards); about 40% of the postdoctoral community are women and about 12% are from minority populations. SAO scientists can superviseHarvardPh.D students, and in addition they typically supervise about 30 graduate students from other institutions who are pursuing Ph.D. theses at the SAO. About thirty undergraduate students intern at the SAO each year. All together there are about 950 staff (including administrative and management department employees) working at the Center.
Directors
edit- Samuel Pierpont Langley1890–1906[8]
- Charles Greeley Abbot1906–1942[8]
- Loyal Blaine Aldrich1942–1955[8]
- Fred Lawrence Whipple1955–1973[8]
- George B. Field1973–1982[8](with the creation of theHarvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysicsin 1973, the director of SAO and theHarvard College Observatorybecame a joint position)
- Irwin I. Shapiro1982–2004[8]
- Charles R. Alcock2004–2022[9]
- Lisa Kewley2022–present[10]
Associates
editSee also
editReferences
edit- ^abDeVorkin, 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.Retrieved2020-04-29.
- ^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.ISBN978-1-137-50787-7.
{{cite book}}:|work=ignored (help) - ^Sturdevant, Rick W. (Winter 2008)."From Satellite Tracking to Space Situational Awareness: The USAF and Space Surveillance: 1957 to 2007"(PDF).Air Power History.U.S. Air Force Historical Society.Retrieved2021-06-23.
{{cite magazine}}:CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^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.
- ^"CfA Plays Central Role In Capturing Landmark Black Hole Image".cfa.harvard.edu/.2019-04-09.Retrieved2020-04-27.
- ^abcdef"SAO Directors: 1834 - Present".Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory.Retrieved2015-09-03.
- ^"Charles Alcock Named Director of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics".Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.Retrieved2015-09-17.
- ^"Lisa Kewley Named Director of the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian".2022-03-14.Retrieved2022-08-16.
External links
edit
Media related toSmithsonian Astrophysical Observatoryat Wikimedia Commons- SAO homepage
- Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian
