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Smithsonian Institution Archives
Project Records, circa 1959-1971
Summary
- Collection ID:
- SIA.FARU0304
- Creators:
-
Radio Meteor Project (Harvard College Observatory)
- Dates:
-
circa 1959-1971
- Languages:
-
English
- Physical Description:
-
109.20 cu. ft. (86 record storage boxes) (40 tall document boxes)
- Repository:
-
Smithsonian Institution Archives
Descriptive Entry
Descriptive Entry
This record unit consists of films of meteors detected by the radar system at Havana, Illinois, circa 1960-1970; computer printouts containing data on meteors observed, circa 1966-1971; and computer tapes, circa 1965-1970.
Historical Note
Historical Note
Created in 1958, the Radio Meteor Project analyzed the meteoric mass, velocity, orbital parameters, and physical phenomena associated with the atmospheric entry of micrometeoroids at heights of 86 to 110 km. Data was gathered by a multi-station radar system, based in Havana, Illinois. From 1958 to 1966, the project was under the administrative control of the Harvard College Observatory (HCO), with project staff including both HCO and Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) scientists. Principal funding for the project was from contracts with the National Science Foundation and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. In 1966, administration of the project was transferred to SAO. The project was terminated in 1971, and the radar facility at Havana was transferred to the University of Illinois. SAO administrative officers of the Radio Meteor Project included Dorik Mechau, 1966; C. Hagge, 1966-1970; and Harris E. Rosenthal, 1970-1971. Chief scientific investigators of the project included Gerald S. Hawkins, Richard B. Southworth, and Richard E. McCrosky.
Administration
Author
Finding aid prepared by Smithsonian Institution Archives
Using the Collection
Prefered Citation
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 304, Radio Meteor Project (Harvard College Observatory), Project Records
More Information
Notes
SI Records
Keywords
Smithsonian Institution Archives
Washington, D.C.
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