Advanced X-Ray Astrophysics Facility (U.S.) Search this
Type:
Mixed archival materials
Date:
1973
1973-
Category:
Agency History
Notes:
This is an agency history. It does not describe actual records. The Smithsonian Institution Archives uses these histories as brief accounts of the origin, development, and functions of an office or administrative unit to set that unit in its historical context. To find information on record holdings, please double-click the highlighted field "Creator/Author", which will open on a brief view of relevant records.
Guide to the Smithsonian Archives, 1996
Annals of the Smithsonian Institution, 1992
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, About, Divisions and Departments, High Energy Astrophysics, https://pweb.cfa.harvard.edu/about/divisions-and-departments, accessed September 10, 2021.
The High Energy Astrophysics Division of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is primarily involved in the study of X-ray emission from celestial sources, including such objects as pulsars, quasars, neutron stars, and black holes. X-ray astronomy must be carried out from space. The Division was established in 1973 to analyze data from satellite-borne X-ray detection instruments and to develop and plan instrumentation for future orbiting observatories. To pursue these goals the Division has used data sources such as the Uhuru and Einstein satellites, as well as the Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility, known as Chandra. Riccardo Giacconi was named Associate Director of SAO in charge of the Division in 1973. In 1981 Harvey D. Tananbaum became Associate Director of the Division, serving until 1992. He was succeeded by Stephen S. Murray, 1992-2003; R. V. J. Brissenden, 2003-2010; William Forman, 2011-2020; and Randall K. Smith, 2021- .
For a history of the larger creating unit, refer to "Forms part of" above.
Repository Loc.:
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Capital Gallery, Suite 3000, MRC 507; 600 Maryland Avenue, SW; Washington, DC 20024-2520
