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University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library

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Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy Records, 1953-1974

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Summary

Creator:
Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy.
Abstract:
Records of the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Tucson, Arizona. Correspondence files of Robert R. McMath, Leo Goldberg, and Orren C. Mohler, reports, minutes, financial and budgetary materials, and technical reports relating to the development of AURA and its predecessor organization, the Advisory Panel for the National Astronomical Observatory, and concerning observatories at Kitt Peak, Arizona, and Cerro Tololo, Chile; also material concerning political developments in Chile; and photographs.
Extent:
16 linear feet
Language:
English.
Call Number:
85580 Bn 2
Authors:
Finding aid prepared by: Leonard Coombs

Background

Scope and Content:

The AURA record group provides a record of an important aspect of the development of modern science, the growth of cooperative scientific associations, and the beginnings of government support for basic research in the post-war period. In addition, the records include much information related to the University of Michigan Astronomy Department and observatories, since several faculty members, including Robert R. McMath, Leo Goldberg, and Orren C. Mohler, have been involved in the growth of AURA. The record group also provides a detailed history of the development of AURA itself, and the observatories at Kitt Peak and at Cerro Tololo, where it touches on scientific and political developments in Chile during the 1960s and 1970s.

The AURA record group includes files collected by three University of Michigan Astronomy Department faculty members who were active in the organization. Robert R. McMath, chairman of the Advisory Panel for the National Astronomical Observatory, first President of AURA, and Chairman of the Board of AURA, was responsible for most of the material dated before his death in 1962. Leo Goldberg, a consultant to the Advisory Panel, is responsible for a correspondence file related to the work of the panel. This file partially duplicates McMath's correspondence file. On the death of McMath, Orren C. Mohler assumed the duties of University of Michigan representative on the AURA Board of Directors and continued to add to the record group. Some of the material dated before McMath's death and all material after that date was collected by Mohler.

The collection includes seven major types of records: historical/informational materials; correspondence; minutes/reports; governance records including papers of the board of directors and the executive committee; committee and subcommittee files; financial/funding records; files about the Kitt Peak and Cerro Tololo observatories; and miscellaneous which includes a few folders of photographs. Correspondence is divided into three groups according to the originators of the files. Within each group some correspondence is arranged chronologically and some by correspondent, but there is considerable overlap between the two sequences. Reports, minutes, and financial records are arranged chronologically.

Biographical / Historical:

The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) was formed in 1957 by eight universities, including the University of Michigan, for purposes of building and administering the national astronomical observatory. AURA now operates Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona, and Cerro Tololo Interamerican Observatory in Chile, under contract for the National Science Foundation (NSF).

In the early 1950's American astronomers saw the need for a cooperative observatory to increase observing opportunities on large telescopes. The Flagstaff Photoelectric Conference sponsored by NSF in September 1953, resulted in a request to NSF to appoint a committee to study the needs of astronomy in the United States. By January 1954, Robert R. McMath had assembled the Advisory Panel for the National Astronomical Observatory, and for the next three years the panel studied the problems of the organization and location of the national astronomical observatory.

By 1957 the Advisory Panel had decided on the form of the association that would operate the observatory, and AURA was organized to assume the responsibility of operating it. Shortly thereafter, Kitt Peak was chosen as the site of the observatory, and construction began on a series of telescopes, including the McMath Solar Telescope, the Mayall 4-Meter Telescope, and others.

In 1960 AURA began searching for a suitable observatory site in Chile with the purpose of developing the first large observatory in the Southern Hemisphere. As a result of this survey, the Cerro Tololo, Interamerican Observatory was established in 1963, and construction began on several large telescopes.

The history of AURA since that period has been one of steady growth and increased service to the astronomical community through the two observatories.

Acquisition Information:
The records were donated in several accessions between 1969 and 1974 by Professor Orren Mohler (donor no. 4765 )
Physical Location:
Offsite storage; prior notification required for access

Subjects

Click on terms below to find any related finding aids on this site.

Subjects:
Astronomy -- United States.
McMath Solar Telescope.
Astronomical observatories.
Astronomy.
Formats:
Photographs.
Names:
Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy.
Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory.
Kitt Peak National Observatory.
National Science Foundation (U.S.)
University of Michigan. Dept. of Astronomy.
National Science Foundation (U.S.). Advisory Panel for the National Astronomical Observatory.
University of Michigan. Observatory.
McMath Solar Telescope.
Portage Lake Observatory (University of Michigan)
Skidmore, Owings and Merrill.
Goldberg, Leo.
McMath, Robert R. (Robert Raynolds), 1891-1962.
Mohler, Orren, 1908-
Adams, Walter Sydney, 1876-1956.
Blanco, Victor Manuel.
Bowen, Ira Sprague, 1898-1973.
Brode, Robert B. (Robert Bigham), 1900-1986.
Carmichael, Leonard, 1898-1973.
Cisler, Walker L. (Walker Lee), 1897-1994.
Dunham, Theodore J., 1897-
Edmondson, Frank K. (Frank Kelly), 1912-
Evans, John Wainwright, 1909-
Harvill, Richard Anderson, 1905-
Hayden, Carl Trumbull, 1877-1972.
Hiltner, W. A. (William Albert), 1914-
Irwin, John B.
Johnson, Harold L. (Harold Lester), 1921-1980.
Keller, Geoffrey, 1918-
Klopsteg, Paul E. (Paul Ernest), 1889-
Lee, Gilbert Lamont, 1919-
Mayall, N. U. (Nicholas Ulrich), 1906-1993.
Meinel, Aden B.
Menzel, Donald H. (Donald Howard), 1901-1976.
Miller, Freeman D. (Freeman Devold), 1909-2000.
Pierce, Austin Keith, 1918-
Rabaut, Louis Charles, 1886-1961.
Röosch, Jean.
Seeger, Raymond John, 1906-
Shane, Charles Donald, 1895-1983.
Shapley, Harlow, 1885-1972.
Ströomgren, Bengt, 1908-
Struve, Otto, 1897-1963.
Tuve, Merle Antony, 1901-1982.
Waterman, Alan Tower, 1892-1967.
Whitford, Albert E. (Albert Edward), 1905-2002.
Places:
Chile.

Contents

Using These Materials

Info for Visitors

How to Request

Ordering Reproductions

Download PDF Finding Aid
RESTRICTIONS:

The record group is open for research.

USE & PERMISSIONS:

Donor(s) have not transferred any applicable copyright to the Regents of the University of Michigan. Patrons are responsible for determining the appropriate use or reuse of materials.

PREFERRED CITATION:

item, folder title, box no., Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy Records, Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan

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Collection

Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy Records, 1953-1974
Call Number 85580 Bn 2
Total components 362
Last indexed 2023-08-08