80 AI«^AL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1962 



flux at diametric wavelength, as well as the position of the sun with 

 respect to the zenith; and makes possible prediction of atmospheric 

 temperatures and densities as a function of solar-activity parameter. 

 In continuing this program, which has already made such important 

 contributions, he will concentrate especially on atmospheric structure. 

 .Tack Slowey has been closely associated with Dr. Jacchia in these 

 investigations. 



Dr. Yoshihide Kozai, on the basis of recently determined data from 

 artificial satellites and other celestial bodies, proceeds with his investi- 

 gations of astronomical constants. From his research into the geo- 

 detic uses of artificial satellites, he has recently prepared reports on 

 results for the tesseral harmonics of the earth's gravitational field, on 

 his second-order theory of oblateness perturbations, and on his rede- 

 terminations of coefficients of zonal spherical harmonics to the ninth 

 order, derived from analysis of Baker-Nunn observations of 13 satel- 

 lites. Dr. Kozai has also begun a new program to investigate secular 

 perturbations of asteroids for information on high inclination and 

 high eccentric orbits, a problem involving the stability theory of 

 asteroids and of the solar system. 



Dr. Don A. Lautman's study of the distribution of the perihelia of 

 the asteroids attempts to determine a possible relationship with effects 

 of second-order secular perturbations by Jupiter. His continuing 

 numerical integration project to explore possible use of radiation 

 pressure on balloon satellites as a means of achieving orbits around 

 the moon has resulted in several computer programs which he will 

 utilize for this purpose and for the study of other orbital problems 

 awaiting investigation. 



Dr. G. Veis continued his work in the geodetic uses of satellites from 

 a geometric point of view. He is developing a program to use almost 

 simultaneous observations for space triangulations and for absolute 

 orientation in space of triangulation nets. He is currently attempting 

 to determine the position of the 12 Baker-Nunn cameras by using the 

 newest precisely reduced Baker-Nunn observations. 



Satellite-tracking 'program. — The optical tracking of artificial sat- 

 ellites with NASA support continues to furnish important data for 

 the prediction of orbits, determination of atmospheric densities, and 

 geophysical and geodetic information. The program embraces a 

 worldwide organization of 92 Moonwatch teams composed of non- 

 professional observers and 12 precision photographic stations in var- 

 ious parts of the world, photographic image-reduction, detailed 

 analysis by electronic computers, precise reduction of satellite 

 positions, and calculation of satellite ephemerides. 



From May 1, 1961, to May 1, 1962, visual observations by Moon- 

 watch of 75 objects (satellites and their orbiting components) totaled 



