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, 1957 : 



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 Radia- 

 tion 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 main- 

 tained 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 



The transfer of the office of the Director of the Observatory and the 

 Division of Astrophysical Research from Washington to Cambridge, 

 Mass., has made possible a close liaison with the Harvard College Ob- 

 servatory — a working association that proved highly effective during 

 the year. There is every indication that this relationship between two 

 of the great astrophysical centers in the United States will continue 

 over the years to stimulate the efforts and increase the effectiveness of 

 both institutions. 



Important progress was made in the past year in the reorientation 

 of the Astrophysical Observatory's research program toward broader 

 scientific investigation of various solar-system phenomena — a pro- 

 gram that should bear heavily upon the scientific progress of our 

 nation during the coming decades. Concentration, as in the past, 

 concerns the impact of radiations, atoms, and meteoritic particles on 

 the earth, both in its atmosphere and upon its surface. All these 

 phenomena represent energy sources that affect our atmosphere and, 

 to varying degrees, the conditions in which we live, particularly the 

 technological instrumentation which has become such a vital part of 

 our great modern civilization. Vigorous and effective research pro- 

 grams in the special fields of activity of the Observatory are now 

 firmly established, and a considerable portion of the work is closely 

 integrated with the massive effort of the International Geophysical 

 Year. This is particularly true of the satellite program, studies of 

 the upper atmosphere, and various aspects of the meteoritical research 

 programs. 

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