December 



Publication: Solar Flux Atlas from 296 to 1300 nm was published by SAO, 

 National Solar Observatory and Harvard. The atlas serves as a spectroscopic 

 standard for researchers in solar and planetary physics, stellar spectroscopy, 

 and atmospheric sciences. 



December 1 



Special Event: The ninth annual "Hirshhorn Holiday for Children" was presented 

 at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, drawing some 3,500 visitors to the 

 Museum during four hours of live performances. 



December 5 



Announcement: The Air and Space Museum announced a project to construct and fly 

 a replica of a prehistoric flying reptile, a pterosaur known as Quetzalcoatlus 

 northropi . The radio-controlled flying replica will be included in "On the 

 Wing," the museum's upcoming large-screen film that compares natural and 

 mechanical flight. 



December 7 



Exhibition: Homage to Franz Kline: Photographs by Aaron Siskind opened at the 

 Museum of American Art with 48 works, celebrating the friendship between the two 

 artists. In a subsequent public program, Siskind discussed that friendship as 

 well as his own life and work. 



December 7-9 



Milestone: The National Associates Travel Program celebrated its 13th annual 

 Christmas at the Smithsonian Weekend for Smithsonian Associates, highlighted by a 

 festive dinner and tree-trimming party in the Castle. 



December 10 



New Facility: The Great Hall of the Smithsonian Institution Building was 

 designated as the site for the Smithsonian Information Center, a central point 

 for visitor information and orientation to the Institution. 



December 13 



Graduation: Thirty- five high school students graduated from the Office of 

 Elementary and Secondary Education's Career Awareness Program, part of the 

 Institution's affirmative action initiative, which features a special educational 

 program for District of Columbia high school students. 



December 13 



Milestone: The first artifact- -a jar filled with Pacific Halibut plankton 

 specimens- -was placed in storage at the Museum Support Center, to be followed by 

 millions of other objects and specimens from the Smithsonian collections. 



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