Report on the Astrophysical Observatory 



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

 tions of the Astroi)hysical Observatory for the fiscal year ended June 

 30, 1954 : 



The Observatory includes two research divisions: (1) The Division 

 of Astrophysical Research, which since 1890 has carried on studies 

 related to solar radiation, and (2) the Division of Radiation and Or- 

 ganisms founded in 1929 for studies of the effects of radiation upon 

 plants and animals. No alterations in the observatory buildings other 

 than minor repairs have been made. Air conditioning was installed 

 in the instrument shop to protect precision equipment from corrosion. 



On September 11, 1953, the Astrophysical Observatory suffered an 

 irreparable loss in the sudden death of William H, Hoover, Chief of 

 the Division of Astrophysical Research. Mr. Hoover was outstand- 

 ing in research accomplislmients and in his comprehensive knowledge 

 of the details of our work. His loss is sincerely mourned by all his 

 associates. No successor has as yet been chosen. 



DIVISION OF ASTROPHYSICAL RESEARCH 



At the Observatory's two high-altitude observing stations, Monte- 

 zuma in northern Chile and Table Mountain in southern California, 

 certain developments concerning the quality of the skies are somewhat 

 disturbing. Twenty-five miles to the north of Montezuma, extensive 

 copper-mining interests have recently changed from electrolytic to 

 smelting methods. As a result great quantities of gas and smoke are 

 released to the surrounding atmosphere. It is hoped that the prevalent 

 strong afternoon trade winds will dissipate much of this smoke. At 

 Table Mountain, a gradual increase of haze probably associated with 

 the smog of southern California has been noted. 



"Work in Washington. — The time of the staff, in addition to furnish- 

 ing requested information to interested scientists and others, was spent 

 as follows : 



1'. Correcting the proofs of volume 7 of the Annals of the Astro- 

 physical Observatory and checking the many hundreds of thousands 

 of digits included in the tables. Some time was also required in prep- 

 aration for the final issuance of the 9th Revised Edition of the Smith- 

 sonian Physical Tables which occurred in June 1954. 



2. Analyzing, appraising, recomputing where doubtful, and tabu- 

 lating the solar-constant record as received from the field stations, 

 for the year 1953. 



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