General Info

Established in 1846, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is a research bureau of the Smithsonian Institution. It is also a member of Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. Its area of research includes atomic and molecular physics, high-energy astrophysics, optical and infrared astronomy, and geoastronomy. It also conducts research in solar, stellar, and planetary sciences, and theoretical astrophysics. It has various administrative and technical departments, including central engineering, contracts and grants, financial management, human resources, public affairs and subcontracts and procurement. Its archives and information services are available to both the professional scientists and the public through the Internet. Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is located in Cambridge, Mass.