Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics

The Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA) is arguably the largest and most diverse astrophysical institution in the world, where scientists carry out a broad program of research in astronomy, astrophysics, earth and space sciences, and science education. The center's mission is to advance our knowledge and understanding of the universe through research and education in astronomy and astrophysics.

The center was founded in 1973 as a joint venture between the Smithsonian Institution and Harvard University. It consists of the Harvard College Observatory and the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. The center's main facility is located at 60 Garden Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts, with satellite facilities elsewhere around the globe. The current director of the CfA, Charles R. Alcock, was named in 2004. [cite news| url=http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/2004/05.20/01-alcock.html |title=Alcock to lead the CfA:Astrophysicist noted for 'dark matter' studies to take helm at observatories |publisher=Harvard Gazette |date=2004-05-20 |accessdate=2007-12-25 ] The director from 1982 to 2004 was Irwin I. Shapiro. [cite news|url=http://www.hno.harvard.edu/gazette/1998/10.15/Harvard-Smithso.html| title=Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics Celebrates 25 Years |publisher=Harvard University Gazette |date=1998-10-15 |accessdate=2007-02-26 ]

Ground-based observatories

* Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory
* Magellan telescopes
* MMT Observatory
* South Pole Telescope
* Submillimeter Array
* 1.2-Meter Millimeter-Wave Telescope
* Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System (VERITAS)

pace-based observatories

* Chandra X-ray Observatory
* Hinode
* Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO)
* Spitzer Space Telescope

Future plans

* Giant Magellan Telescope
* Murchison Widefield Array
* Square Kilometer Array
* Pan-STARRS
* Large Synoptic Survey Telescope
* Constellation-X Observatory

Trivia

The asteroid 10234 Sixtygarden is named after the Center's address. [cite web
title = (10234) Sixtygarden
url = http://www.klet.org/jmena/view.php3?astnum=10234
publisher = Klet Observatory
date = 1999-11-23
accessdate = 2007-12-25] [cite web
title = Discovery Circumstances: Numbered Minor Planets (10001)-(15000)
publisher = Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams (CBAT) and Minor Planet Center (MPC)
url = http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/iau/lists/NumberedMPs010001.html
accessdate = 2007-12-25]

References

External links

* [http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/ CfA Homepage]