Division of Astrophysics Records

Collection

Identifier: 10005-MS

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Collection contains correspondence, committee minutes, public inquiries regarding astronomical phenomena, etc. relating primarily to the Palomar 200-inch telescope project.

Dates

1928-1954

Creator

Palomar Observatory (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research. Researchers must apply for access in writing. Contact the archives for more information.

Biographical / Historical

The Division of Astrophysics was first listed as an independent division and a field of study in the 1928 California Institute of Technology Bulletin (or course catalogue), coinciding with the construction of the Palomar Observatory. By 1939, Astrophysics was no longer referred to as an independent division, but continued to be listed as one of the core sciences, which also included Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Geological Sciences, Mathematics, and Physics. In the 1947 Caltech Bulletin, Astrophysics was merged into the Division of Physics, Astrophysics, Mathematics and Electrical Engineering. The Division name changed again in 1948 to Physics, Astronomy, Mathematics, and Electrical Engineering; Astrophysics was encompassed by Astronomy. From 1949 to the present, the academic division is known as the Division of Physics, Math, and Astronomy or commonly referred to as PMA.