The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) is a "research institute" of the Smithsonian Institution headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where it is joined with the Harvard College Observatory (HCO) to form the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA). More than 300 scientists at the CfA are engaged in a broad program of research in astronomy, astrophysics, earth and space sciences, and science education. The Smithsonian castle, as seen through the garden gate. ... Harvard Square, May 2000 Cambridge is a city in the Greater Boston area in Massachusetts, United States. ... The Harvard College Observatory (or HCO) is an institution managing a complex of buildings and multiple instruments used for astronomical research by the Department of Astronomy of Harvard. ... Astronomy (Greek: αστρονομία = άστρον + νόμος, literally, law of the stars) is the science involving the observation and explanation of events occurring beyond the Earth and its atmosphere. ... Spiral Galaxy ESO 269-57 Astrophysics is the branch of astronomy that deals with the physics of the universe, including the physical properties ( luminosity, density, temperature and chemical composition) of astronomical objects such as stars, galaxies, and the interstellar medium, as well as their interactions. ... Earth science (also known as geoscience or the geosciences), is an all-embracing term for the sciences related to the planet Earth. ... Space science, or the space sciences, are fields of science that are concerned with the study or utilisation of outer space. ... Science education is the field interested in sharing science content and process with individuals not traditionally considered part of the science community. ...

The SAO was founded in 1890 by Smithsonian Secretary Samuel Pierpont Langley. It moved from Washington, D.C., to Cambridge in 1955. 1890 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Samuel Pierpont Langley (August 22, 1834 in Roxbury, Massachusetts near Boston, – February 27, 1906, Aiken, South Carolina) was an American astronomer, physicist, inventor, aeronautics pioneer and aircraft engineer. ... Aerial photo (looking NW) of the Washington Monument and the White House in Washington, DC. Washington, D.C., officially the District of Columbia (also known as D.C.; Washington; the Nations Capital; the District; and, historically, the Federal City) is the capital city and administrative district of the United... 1955 is a common year starting on Saturday. ...

The Chandra X-ray Observatory is managed and operated by SAO from Cambridge. With the University of Arizona, SAO also manages the MMT Observatory. Chandra X-ray Observatory is a satellite launched on STS-93 by NASA on July 23, 1999. ... The University of Arizona is an institution of higher learning located in Tucson, Arizona. ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ...

External Link

• SAO website (http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/saohome.html)