 The Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian (CfA) Headquarters inCambridge, Massachusetts. The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) has been joined with the CfA since 1973. | |
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| 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 |
TheSmithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) is a research institute of theSmithsonian Institution, concentrating onastrophysical studies includinggalactic andextragalactic astronomy,cosmology,solar,earth and planetary sciences,theory and instrumentation, using observations atwavelengths from the highest energygamma rays to 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 University Department of Astronomy. In 1973, the Smithsonian and Harvard formalized the collaboration as theCenter for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian (CfA) under a single Director.
Samuel 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 Abbot was named SAO's first director, and the observatory operatedsolar telescopes to 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 observatory was 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, Massachusetts to 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 Force onProject Space Track.[4]
With the creation ofNASA the following year and throughout thespace race, SAO led major efforts in the development oforbiting observatories and largeground-based telescopes, laboratory andtheoretical astrophysics, as well as theapplication of computers to astrophysical problems.
The followings persons served as director of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory:[5]
| No. | Image | SAO Director | Term start | Term end | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Established in 1890 in Washington, D.C. | |||||
| 1 |  | Samuel Pierpont Langley[a] | March 1, 1890 | February 27, 1906[b] | |
| 2 |  | Charles Greeley Abbot[a] | 1906 | 1942 | |
| 3 | Loyal Blaine Aldrich | 1942 | 1955 | ||
| Headquarters relocated in 1955 to Cambridge, Massachusetts | |||||
| 4 | Fred Lawrence Whipple | 1955 | 1973 | ||
| The Harvard–Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics was formed on July 1, 1973 | |||||
| 5 |  | George B. Field | July 1, 1973 | 1982 | |
| 6 | Irwin I. Shapiro | 1982 | 2004 | ||
| 7 |  | Charles R. Alcock | August 1, 2004 | January 1, 2022 | [6][7][8] |
| 8 | Lisa Kewley | July 1, 2022 | present | [9][10] | |
Table notes:
SAO has operated a number of remote stations over the years.[11][12]
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The 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 superviseHarvard 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 (including administrative and management department employees) working at the Center.
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