Submitted by jshaw-adm on October 31, 2013 - 3:43pm

The CfA is a collaboration of Harvard College Observatory (HCO) and Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) and home to Harvard's Department of Astronomy.

News Releases

September 10, 2014
Philip Sadler Receives IPS Technology & Innovation Award

Dr. Philip M. Sadler of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA) has been awarded the 2014 Technology and Innovation Award from the International Planetarium Society.
September 4, 2014
Volunteers Needed to Preserve Astronomical History and Promote Discovery

Before iPhones and laptops there were human computers, some of whom worked at the Harvard College Observatory. Women like Henrietta Swan Leavitt, Williamina Fleming, and Annie Jump Cannon made some of the most important discoveries in astronomy in the early 20th century.

Latest Science Update

September 5, 2014
What Makes Blazars Vary?

A blazar is a galaxy whose central, supermassive black hole shines intensely as it accretes material from the surrounding region. Although black hole accretion happens in many galaxies and situations, in blazars the infalling material erupts into a powerful, narrow beam of high velocity charged particles that are fortuitously pointed in our direction.

SI Specific Information

SI-specific information regarding the government shutdown may be found at alerts.si.edu. SAO staff are encouraged to review the website for updated information