Report on the Astrophysical Observatory 



Sir : I have the honor to submit the following report on the oper- 

 ations of the Astrophysical Observatory for the fiscal year ended 

 June 30, 1956 : 



The Astrophysical Observatory includes two research divisions: 

 the Division of Astrophysical Research, for the study of solar and 

 other sources of energy impinging on the earth, and the Division of 

 Radiation and Organisms, for investigations dealing with radiation 

 as it bears directly or indirectly upon biological problems. Three 

 shops — for metalwork, woodwork, and optical electronic work — are 

 maintained in Washington to prepare special equipment for both 

 divisions, and a field station for solar observation is located at Table 

 Mountain, Calif. 



DIVISION OF ASTROPHYSICAL RESEARCH 



At the beginning of the fiscal year, the scientific headquarters of 

 the Division of Astrophysical Research were moved from Washing- 

 ton to Cambridge, Mass. In this new location, a close liaison with 

 Harvard University is expected to add to the research effectiveness 

 in astrophysics for the Smithsonian Institution. With this transfer 

 and the development of a working association with Harvard College 

 Observatory, a reevaluation of the basic scientific policies and goals 

 of the Astrophysical Observatory was undertaken. Because of the 

 present-day rapid progress in the physical sciences, the understand- 

 ing of the fundamental astrophysical processes of the sun, earth, 

 planets, and interplanetary medium has grown at an ever-increasing 

 rate. In addition, our mushrooming technology has become more 

 and more sensitive to phenomena of the solar system which were once 

 considered as of only academic interest. The Astrophysical Observa- 

 tory's long tradition of active research in solar and terrestrial phe- 

 nomena and their interrelationships has laid a firm foundation upon 

 which will be based new research objectives including, besides solar 

 radiation, other phenomena of the solar system which also affect the 

 earth and its atmosphere. Energy sources other than the sun have 

 a profound effect on our atmosphere, on geophysical phenomena, and 

 on practical technological aspects of radio communication, the guid- 

 ance of missiles, and other practical considerations. Among the 

 sources of energy are corpuscular radiation from the sun, meteors, 



65 



