Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics

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The Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA) is one of the largest and most diverse astrophysical institutions 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 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 between Concord Avenue and Garden Street, with its mailing address and main entrance at 60 Garden Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Beyond this location there are also additional satellite facilities elsewhere around the globe. The current director of the CfA, Charles R. Alcock, was named in 2004. The director from 1982 to 2004 was Irwin I. Shapiro.

Video Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics

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)

Maps Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics

Space-based observatories

• Chandra X-ray Observatory
• Hinode
• Kepler
• Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO)
• Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO)
• Spitzer Space Telescope

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Plans

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

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Directors

• George B. Field: 1973-1982
• Irwin I. Shapiro: 1982-2004
• Charles R. Alcock: 2004-Present

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Funding sources

In FY2010, expenditures by funding source were as follows:

• NASA: 70%
• Smithsonian federal funds: 22%
• National Science Foundation: 4%
• United States Department of Energy: 1%
• Annenberg Foundation: 1%
• Gifts and endowments: 1%
• Other: 1%

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Trivia

The asteroid 10234 Sixtygarden is named after the Center's address.

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References

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External links

• CfA Homepage

Source of the article : Wikipedia