Smithsonian Astrophysics Observatory

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) is a "research institute" of the Smithsonian Institution headquartered in Cambridge, MA, where it is joined with the Harvard College Observatory (HCO) to form the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA). More than 300 scientists at the CfA are engaged in a broad program of research in astronomy, astrophysics, earth and space sciences, and science education. Because many of these research activities share Harvard and Smithsonian staff and resources, several of the "SAO" links at this website will take you to information posted on joint "CfA" pages.