National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Physical Sciences Search this
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Physical Sciences Search this
Extent:
0.3 Cubic feet (1 box, 1 oversized folder)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Notebooks
Photographs
Lecture notes
Date:
1846-1884
Summary:
The collection documents Lewis M. Rutherfurd's work related to astronomy.
Scope and Contents:
The collection includes two papers by Rutherfurd published in the American Journal of Science, lecture notes apparently used by Rutherfurd in teaching, and two letters from Benjamin A. Gould, an astronomer and close friend of Rutherfurd's, as well as a draft letter of Rutherfurd to the editors of the American Journal of Science and Art. Most of the collection is comprised of notebooks and loose notes in which Rutherfurd recorded his observations, calculations and designs relating to his professional activities. Two bound notebooks record observations of stars, planets and comets by telescope in 1846-1849 and 1859-1861. Other papers loose and less formally recorded on astronomical observations and the design and calibration of cameras and spectroscopes used by Rutherfurd, cover the period 1858-1874. A number of photographs of the moon and other subjects related to his work are also included.
Biographical / Historical:
Lewis Morris Rutherfurd (1816-1892), a native of New York, was a member of a prominent family and financially independent enough to permit his pursuit of scientific interests. After graduation from Williams College he practiced law for 10 years before devoting himself to amateur astronomy. Rutherfurd designed and made his own instruments for photography and spectroscopy in astronomical observations, often only demonstrating their capabilities before making them available to other scientists. A member of the National Academy of Sciences and numerous professional societies, Rutherfurd was awarded the Rumford Medal of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1874 for his "improvements in the processes and methods of Astronomical Photography."
Provenance:
Collection donated by Dr. David Schmidling, November 13, 1989.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Issued by The Mentor Association, Inc., Written by Paul L. Anderson; location unknown
Series Restrictions:
Collection is open for research. Some items may be restricted due to fragile condition.
Series Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Series Citation:
Warshaw Collection of Business Americana Subject Categories: Photography, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
Sponsor:
Funding for partial processing of the collection was supported by a grant from the Smithsonian Institution's Collections Care and Preservation Fund (CCPF).
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. Central Engineering Department Search this
Extent:
73 cu. ft. (73 record storage boxes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Manuscripts
Floppy disks
Drawings
Architectural drawings
Electronic records
Date:
1978-1996
Descriptive Entry:
This accession consists of contract files dealing with the research, development, and construction of the Advanced X-Ray Astrophysics Facility (AXAF), now known as
the Chandra X-Ray Observatory; and its components; the High Resolution Camera (HRC); the Advanced CCD Imaging Spectrometer (ACIS); and its two transmission grating spectrometers,
one set optimized for low energies (LETG) and the other for high energies (HETG). The records track in detail the steps and methods involved in the creation of the AXAF as
well as document the discussions between scientists, administrators, and outside contractors. Organizations and companies involved include Eastman Kodak Company; TRW Inc.,
Space and Technology Group; Hughes Danbury Optical Systems; the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Center for Space Research;
Ball Corporation; HTS Design Engineering; Computer Sciences Corporation; Schaeffer Magnetics, Inc.; and Composite Optics, Inc. Materials include correspondence, memorandum,
reports, spreadsheets, and drawings. Some materials are in electronic format.
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. Central Engineering Department Search this
Extent:
70.19 cu. ft. (3 record storage boxes) (67.19 non-standard size boxes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Manuscripts
Floppy disks
Drawings
Electronic records
Date:
1984-2000
Descriptive Entry:
This accession consists of Assignment/Support Requests. For projects funded through the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO), the mechanism for formally requesting
engineering support is to submit a form called an "Assignment/Support Request" (ASR). An ASR functions both as an internal purchase order for engineering services, and as
a planning document for engineering management. It serves the SAO Controller's Office as a funds obligation document, and the project Principal Investigator or Program Manager
as a vehicle both for describing the engineering support required, and for negotiating specific staff assignments and project schedules with the Engineering Manager.
In addition to the ASR materials there are schematics and drawings of NASA's Chandra X-Ray Observatory (formerly the Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility or AXAF) and the
High Resolution Camera (HRC) developed for it. Both the AXAF and HRC were projects SAO worked on. For related materials please see Accessions 05-007 and 06-075. Some materials
are in electronic format.
This accession consists of the "Aesthetics and Astronomy" website maintained by the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics as it existed on October 29, 2012. The
Aesthetics and Astronomy project studies the perception of multi-wavelength astronomical imagery and the effects of the scientific and artistic choices in processing astronomical
data. The website documents the project and its preliminary finding. The Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics is jointly administered by the Harvard College Observatory
and the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. Materials are in electronic format.
This accession consists of the "Aesthetics and Astronomy" website maintained by the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics as it existed on June 1, 2015. The Aesthetics
and Astronomy project studies the perception of multi-wavelength astronomical imagery and the effects of the scientific and artistic choices in processing astronomical data.
The website documents the project and its preliminary finding. The Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics is jointly administered by the Harvard College Observatory and
the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory.
This accession consists of two websites maintained by the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics as they existed on August 22, 2018. The Harvard-Smithsonian Center
for Astrophysics is jointly administered by the Harvard College Observatory and the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory.
The "Aesthetics and Astronomy" website documents a project of the same name which studies the perception of multi-wavelength astronomical imagery and the effects of the
scientific and artistic choices in processing astronomical data. The website documents the project and its findings.
"LIGHT: Beyond the Bulb" is an open-source international exhibition program that showcases the incredible variety of light-based science being researched today across the
electromagnetic spectrum, across scientific disciplines, and across technological platforms. The Chandra X-ray Observatory and SPIE, the international society for optics and
photonics, are jointly leading the program in conjunction with the International Astronomical Union for the International Year of Light 2015. The website includes information
about the program and about creating or hosting an exhibition as well as an image collection.
Draper, Daniel, (meteorologist), 1841-1931 Search this
Extent:
4.3 Cubic feet (13 boxes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Wills
Certificates
Photomicrographs
Reprints
Photographs
Lectures
Diplomas
Date:
circa 1826-1936
Summary:
Miscellaneous documents and photographs related to the scientific careers of members of the Draper family. Includes publications of the University of the City of New York, with which the Drapers were associated, reprints of papers by John William Draper, F. Melloni, John C. Draper, and Henry Draper, publications of the New York Meteorological Observatory, photographs of the observatory, rare scientific photographs, including photomicrographs (paper prints) by the Drapers, correspondence addressed to Daniel Draper, certificates, diplomas, and other documents.
Scope and Contents:
This collection contains materials that revolve around the scientific interests, research, and professional activities of John W. Draper and his three sons. The materials are as diverse in subject as were these four men, with meteorology, solar observation, astronomy, chemistry, and optical science all represented. The collection contains a large number of separate journal issues and articles on these subjects as well as publications of the University of the City of New York, with which the Drapers were associated, mainly covering the periods of 1835, 1838, 1852, and publications of the New York Meteorological Observatory (NYMO), 1876. Included among the NYMO materials are correspondence addressed to Daniel Draper, some acknowledging receipt of publications from NYMO, circa 1892-1908, and photographs of NYMO. The collection also contains reprints of John William Draper, circa 1844-1877; M. Melloni, "A Radiation of Incandescence and Elementary Colors," 1848; John C. Draper, 1856; and reprints of Henry Draper, 1873, 1882.
Also included in the collection are some of the Draper's notebooks, lecture notes, experiment literature and notebooks, and experimental photographs concerning the Draper's professional endeavors in meteorology, chemistry, and astronomy in the late 19th century. There are also a number of materials relating to biographical information on the Draper family, including a substantial number of certificates and diplomas received by the Drapers. In addition, there is personal correspondence, articles on the members of the family, and a copy of Dorothy Catherine Draper Nye's will. While most of the documents are originals, the collection also contains many photocopied or reproduced documents.
A photograph by Mora in the collection, marked "J.W. Draper," does not appear to depict the same man as in Neg. No. 52,757.
Arrangement:
The collection is arranged into five series.
Series 1: Draper Family, 1829-1936
Series 2: John W. Draper, 1811-1936
Series 3: Henry Draper, 1837-1882
Series 4: Daniel Draper, 1841-1931
Series 5: John Christopher Draper, 1835-1885
Biographical / Historical:
The Draper family made a number of important contributions to American science, particularly in the fields of meteorology, astronomy, and chemistry during the 19th and early 20th centuries. John William Draper (1811-1882), primarily a chemist, did pioneer work in photography, and on the chemical effects of radiant energy. He took the first photograph of the moon in 1839-1840 and the first photograph of the diffraction spectrum.
Draper's three sons also did notable work. John C. Draper (1835-1885) was a noted Physician and chemist. Henry Draper (1837-1882) was an early astronomical photographer and also did work on stellar spectra and spectrum analysis. Daniel Draper (1841-1931) was a meteorologist and established the New York Meteorological Observatory in Central Park in 1868. He served as its first director until 1911.
Provenance:
Deeded to the Smithsonian Institution by John William Christopher Draper and James Christopher Draper on January 2, 1972.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Malin, David - Memos and emails, proposal for guest curation of a temporary exhibit on astronomical photography, and proposal for mini-exhibit Origins of Space Science
Until the death of the Donor, SIA will notify the Donor prior to, or within 7 days after, the materials have been accessed for reseach. Contact reference staff for details.
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Accession 07-137, David H. DeVorkin Papers
This video history consists of original, master and reference videos documenting a children's lecture program by George R. Carruthers, a physicist and inventor. Carruthers invented the Far Ultra-Violet Camera (FUVCAM).
Scope and Contents note:
This collection contains original, master, and reference videos documenting Dr. George Carruthers. Dr. Carruthers discusses his invention, the Far Ultra-Violet Camera (FUVCAM), as well his background, and experience working with the space program.
Arrangement:
Divided into 3 series: 1) Original Videos; 2) Master Videos; 3) Reference Videos.
Biographical / Historical:
Dr. George Carruthers was born in 1939 and grew up in Milford, Ohio and Chicago's South Side. Carruthers received his B.S. in Physics from the University of Illinois in 1961, M.S. Physics in 1962, and his Ph.D in aeronautical and astronomical engineering in 1964. After receiving his Ph.D in 1964, Carruthers joined the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), Space Science Division where he is now Senior Astrophysicist. Along with William Conway, another scientist, Carruthers developed the lunar surface ultraviolet camera and spectrograph used on the moon by Apollo 16 in 1972. The camera was used to take ultraviolet pictures of the Earth during the Apollo 16 space mission. It was the first camera to take pictures of the upper levels of the earth's atmosphere and to show that hydrogen exists in outer space.
Provenance:
This videohistory was created by the Innovative Lives Program of The Jerome and Dorothy Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation on February 22, 1996. The Innovative Lives series brings young people and American inventors together to discuss inventions and the creative process and to experiment and play with hands-on activities related to each inventor's product.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but the original videos are stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
"All of the photographs and text on these pages are copyright 1984-1998 by Jerry Lodriguss, unless otherwise noted. ... These images are digitally watermarked." --Copyright notice.
