Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory


The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory 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 and the Harvard University Department of Astronomy. In 1973, the Smithsonian and Harvard formalized the collaboration as the Harvard–Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics|Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian under a single Director.

History

, the third Secretary of the Smithsonian, founded the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory on the south yard of the Smithsonian Castle on March 1,1890. The Astrophysical Observatory's initial, primary purpose was to "record the amount and character of the Sun's heat". 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 , designed in 1965 by Crimilda Pontes.
In 1955, the scientific headquarters of SAO moved from Washington, D.C. to Cambridge, Massachusetts to affiliate with the Harvard College Observatory. 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 in 1957, SAO accepted a national challenge 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.
SAO DirectorYears as Director
Samuel Pierpont Langley1890–1906
Charles Greeley Abbot1906-1942
Loyal Blaine Aldrich1942-1955
Fred Lawrence Whipple1955-1973
George B. Field1973-1982
Irwin I. Shapiro1972-2004
Charles R. Alcock2004-present

Remote stations

SAO has operated a number of remote stations over the years.
StationTypeLatitudeLongitudeEl. OpenedClosedCoordinates
Mount Wilson, CaliforniaSolar34º13'N118º56'W173719081920
Hump Mountain, North CarolinaSolar36º8'N82º0'W150019171918
Calama, ChileSolar22º28'S68º56'W225019181920
Mount Montezuma, ChileSolar22º40'S68º56'W27111920?
Mount Harquahala, ArizonaSolar33º48'N113º20'W172119201925
Table Mountain, CaliforniaSolar34º22'N117º41'W228619251962
Mount Brukkaros, NamibiaSolar25º52'S17º48'E158619261931
Mount Saint Catherine, EgyptSolar28º31'N33º56'E259119341937
Burro Mountain, New MexicoSolar32º40'N108º33'W244019381946
Organ Pass, New MexicoSpace Track32º25'N253º27'E
Olifantsfontein, South AfricaSpace Track25º58'S28º15'E
Woomera, AustraliaSpace Track31º06'S136º46'E
Cadiz, SpainSpace Track36º28'N353º48'E
Shiraz, IranSpace Track29º38'N52º31'E
Curaçao, Netherlands West IndiesSpace Track12º05'N291º10'E
Jupiter, FloridaSpace Track27º01'N279º53'E
Haleakala, HawaiiSpace Track20º43'N203º45'E
Villa Dolores, ArgentinaSpace Track31º57'S294º54'E
Mitaka, JapanSpace Track
Nani Tal, IndiaSpace Track
Arequipa, PeruSolar,
Space Track
Oak Ridge Observatory

SAO Today

The current director of the SAO is Charles R. Alcock. 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, and Leon Van Speybroeck, or in support of a contract or grant. ; about 40% of the postdoctoral community are women and about 12% are from minority populations. SAO scientists can supervise Harvard Ph.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 working at the Center.
of a black hole, captured by the Event Horizon Telescope. SAO plays a central role in the project.

Directors