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Finding Aids to Official Records of the Smithsonian Institution Archives

Record Unit 262

Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. Mt. Hopkins Department

Records, 1966-1970

Repository:Smithsonian Institution Archives, Washington, D.C. Contact us at osiaref@si.edu.
Creator:Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. Mt. Hopkins Department
Title:Records
Dates:1966-1970
Quantity:2.5 cu. ft. (5 document boxes)
Collection:Record Unit 262
Language of Materials:English
Summary:

These records document the early history of the Mount Hopkins Observatory and concern site development, the construction of buildings, the development of astronomical instruments for use at Mount Hopkins, and projects conducted by SAO and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration at the Observatory. The records include a contracts file, 1966-1970; a projects file, 1967-1970; administrative records, 1966-1970; and photographs and color slides of the Observatory, 1969.

Historical Note

In October 1965, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) Director Fred L. Whipple visited the southwestern United States for the purpose of choosing a site for a new branch observatory. The location selected was Mt. Hopkins in the Santa Rita Mountains of Arizona. Development of the site began in 1966, and the observatory was officially opened on October 23, 1968. Research activities at Mt. Hopkins included optical and laser satellite tracking for geodetic and geophysical studies, spectroscopic observation of both stellar and planetary bodies, and gamma-ray astronomy.

During 1965 and 1966, the Mt. Hopkins Observatory project was administered by the Office of the Director. Jack A. Coffey served as the first Project Administrator from December 1965 to December 1966 (except during March and April 1966 when Raymond Watts served in the position). In 1967, the newly created Programs Management Office assumed responsibility for Mt. Hopkins, with John J. Burke as chief administrative officer. In 1969, the Mt. Hopkins Department was established, with Ronald R. LaCount as Manager. Charles Tougas was appointed Field Manager of the Mt. Hopkins site in 1966. He was assisted by Werner Kirchhoff who served as Special Technical Advisor.

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Descriptive Entry

These records document the early history of the Mt. Hopkins Observatory and concern site development, the construction of buildings, the development of astronomical instruments for use at Mt. Hopkins, and projects conducted by SAO and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration at the Observatory. The records include a contracts file, 1966-1970; a projects file, 1967-1970; administrative records, 1966-1970; and photographs and color slides of the Observatory, 1969.

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Preferred Citation

Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 262, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Mt. Hopkins Department, Records

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Container List

Series 1

Contracts File, 1966-1970. Arranged alphabetically.

This series consists of materials documenting contracts for the development of the Mt. Hopkins Observatory site, the construction of buildings for the observatory, and the development of astronomical instruments for use at Mt. Hopkins. Records include correspondence and memoranda, invitations and bids, proposals, contracts, and reports. The material is arranged alphabetically by contractor or subject.

Box 1

Blanton & Co. Contract no. SFC-7-0098, "Preparation of a Master Plan for Mt. Hopkins Observatory," 1966-1968.

Box 1 of 5

Blanton & Co. Contract no. SFC-7-0154, "Design of Structures to House Scientific Equipment," 1967-1968.

Box 1 of 5

Blanton & Co. Contract nos. SFC-0-9001 and SFC-0-9002, "Construction of 60 inch Telescope Facility at Mt. Hopkins," 1967-1970.

Box 1 of 5

Evans and Joplin, Consulting Engineers. Contract no. SFC-7-0005 "Engineering Services for Surveying and Designing a Road for Mt. Hopkins," 1966-1968.

Box 1 of 5

Good Construction Company. Contract no. SFC-7-0155, "Construction of Baker-Nunn Laser Building at Mt. Hopkins," 1967.

Box 1 of 5

Lynch Engineering and Construction Co. Contract no. SFC-8-7103, "Construction of Baker-Nunn Laser Building at Mt. Hopkins," 1967-1968.

Box 1 of 5

Box 2

Marvin, Thomas C. Contract no. SFC-8-7110, "Geological Consulting at Mt. Hopkins," 1968.

Box 2 of 5

Master Plan for Mt. Hopkins - Miscellaneous invitations and bids, 1967.

Box 2 of 5

Optics for Industry Co. Contract no. SFC-7-0007, "Design, Fabrication, Assembly, Testing and Installation of a Large Optical Reflector," 1966-1968.

Box 2 of 5

Owens-Illinois Co. Contract no. SFC-8-7111, "Engineering Design Services and Primary Mirror for the 60 inch Open Tube Telescope," 1967-1969.

Box 2 of 5

Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. Contract no. SFC-7-0096, "Design, Fabrication, Assembly, Testing and Installation of the Mount and Controls for a Large Optical Reflector," 1966-1968.

Box 2 of 5

Box 3

Sierrita Mining and Ranching Company. Contract no. SFC-7-0009, "Construction of a Pioneer Access Road at Mt. Hopkins," 1966-1967.

Box 3 of 5

Simpson, Gumpertz, and Heger Inc. Proposal for the Development of a Major Optical Reflector, 1968-1969.

Box 3 of 5

Sundt, M. M. Construction Co. Contract no. RFQ 32-10-66, "Construction of a Pioneer Access Road at Mt. Hopkins," 1966.

Box 3 of 5

Tinsley Laboratories, Inc. Contract no. SFC-9-9009, "Design, Fabrication, Assembly, and Testing of a Mount and Drive System for a 60 inch Telescope," 1968-1969.

Box 3 of 5

Waukesha Southwestern. Correspondence regarding the building of a generator for Mt. Hopkins, 1969-1970.

Box 3 of 5

Series 2

Projects File, 1967-1970. Arranged alphabetically.

This series consists of correspondence, memoranda, reports, photographs and related materials concerning projects conducted at Mt. Hopkins Observatory by SAO and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Box 3

Apollo Telescope Mount, 1967-1968.

Box 3 of 5

Arizona Laser Collocation Experiment (ARLACO), 1969-1970.

Box 3 of 5

Box 4

Gamma-Ray Astronomy, 1969-1970.

Box 4 of 5

Gamma-Ray Balloon Flights, 1969-1970.

Box 4 of 5

Geodetic Investigations, 1968.

Box 4 of 5

Infrared Astronomy, 1968-1969.

Box 4 of 5

Laser Intercomparison Test, 1969. Includes photographs.

Box 4 of 5

Mitre Telescope Testing, 1969-1970.

Box 4 of 5

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Electronic Research Center. Projects at Mt. Hopkins, 1968-1970. (3 folders)

Box 4 of 5

NASA. Correspondence and memoranda concerning meetings with SAO regarding collaborative experiments at Mt. Hopkins, 1968-1969.

Box 4 of 5

Sunphotometer Observations, 1969-1970.

Box 4 of 5

Series 3

Administrative Records, 1966-1970. Arranged alphabetically.

This series consists of administrative records concerning the early history and development of Mt. Hopkins Observatory. Included are monthly progress reports submitted to the Mt. Hopkins Department and its predecessors by Field Manager, Charles Tougas, 1966-1970; reports of the Mt. Hopkins Observer Services Division, 1969-1970; records documenting relations between the Mt. Hopkins Department and the National Center for Atmospheric Research, 1967-1969; and correspondence, memoranda, and related records concerning power sources, utilities, site planning, and visitors to the observatory.

Box 4

Monthly progress reports, 1966-1970.

Box 4 of 5

National Center for Atmospheric Research, 1967-1969.

Box 4 of 5

Box 5

Observer Services Division, reports, 1969-1970.

Box 5 of 5

Power sources, 1969.

Box 5 of 5

Site and facilities planning, 1966-1967.

Box 5 of 5

Utilities, 1966.

Box 5 of 5

Visits and visitors, 1969-1970.

Box 5 of 5

Series 4

Photographs and Color Slides, 1969.

This series consists of photographs taken by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Electronic Research Center while conducting experiments at Mt. Hopkins, 1969, and color slides of the observatory, 1969.

Box 5

National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Electronic Research Center. Photographs, 1969.

Box 5 of 5

Color slides of Mt. Hopkins Observatory, September 1969.

Box 5 of 5

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