Report on the Astroph} sical Observatory 



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

 erations of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory for the fiscal 

 year ended Jmie 30, 1963 : 



The Astrophysical Observatory includes two divisions : the division 

 of astrophysical research in Cambridge, Mass., for the study of solar 

 and other types of energy impinging on the earth; and the division 

 of radiation and organisms in Washington, for the investigation of 

 radiation as it relates directly or indirectly to biological problems. 

 Shops are maintained m Washington for work in metals, woods, and 

 optical electronics, and to prepare special equipment for both di- 

 visions ; and a shop conducted in cooperation with the Harvard College 

 Observatory in Cambridge provides high-precision mechanical work. 

 Twelve satellite-tracking stations are in operation, in Florida, Hawaii, 

 and New Mexico in the United States and abroad in Argentina, 

 Australia, Curagao, India, Iran, Japan, Peru, South Africa, and 

 Spain. 



DIVISION OF ASTROPHYSICAL RESEARCH 



Research at the Smitlisonian Astrophysical Observatory continues 

 to yield new knowledge and increased imderstanding of a broad range 

 of astrophysical phenomena.* 



Concerning members of the solar system — planets, satellites, mete- 

 oroids, comets, etc. — the scientific staff have pursued many investiga- 

 tions. The effe-cts of solar phenomena on these other members of the 

 system received particular attention, befitting the rapidly increasing 

 scientific interest in these topics and the increasuig national interest 

 in space. 



The sun itself deserves ever more intensive observation and analysis. 

 Observatory scientists have applied their talents to these studies. In- 

 struments carried on Orbiting Solar Observatories have become a 

 major source of solar data. 



Beyond the solar system, the stars, galaxies, nebulae, and inter- 

 stellar matter present nmnerous research problems, many of which 

 members of the Observatory staff have studied. Instrumentation now 



* Unless otherwise noted, research Is supported from Federal funds appropriated to the 

 Smithsonian Institution. The Observatory, by support of the scientists, shares In the 

 support of all research. Support from outside sources Is noted numerically where appro- 

 priate and detailed In footnotes 1-20 on p. 164. 



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