The Sacramento Peak Observatory 1947-1962
Abstract
The Sacramento Peak Observatory of the Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories, Office of Aerospace Research, does not fit easily into the various set categories commonly used in discussing Air Force research programs. Its work in the broad area of solar phenomena and their terrestrial relations is both in-house and contractual, with the further complication that some (not all) of the contractors do their work just as much inside the observatory "house" as do those staff members employed directly by the Air Force. In the matter of applied vs. basic research, the Sac Peak mission is officially documented as applied research in support of the very specific and practical objective of predicting solar phenomena likely to disturb aerospace operations, let in order to attain this objective, Sac Peak must conduct many investigations of solar physical processes which are so fundamental in nature that they are scarcely distinguishable from what is generally thought of as basic, or unapplied, research. Hence a part of the observatory workload might well be redefined as applied basic research. Fortunately, however, one thing is clear. Sacramento Peak Observatory is an Air Force research installation whose work has won general recognition as equal to the best that is being done anywhere else in the same field. For this reason, among others, the history of the observatory is a topic well worth examining. The topic may also serve as a case study in Air Force research operations; and it is not too much to say that it constitutes a small but still necessary chapter in the general history of American astronomy.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1962
- Accession Number
- AD0276063
Entities
People
- David Bushnell