CIA-RDP96-00792R000700020001-8

Approved For Release 2000/08/11 : CIA-RDP96-00792R000700020001-8
Site 761
Yerkes Observatory
The astronomical observatory
of the University of Chicago, at Williams Bay, Wisconsin on
Lake Geneva.
It
is the university's principal center for
research and graduate instruction in astronomy and astrophysics.
The observatory was founded in 1892 when Charles Tyson Yerkes
(q. v.) presented the university with funds sufficient for the
building and equipment. The major instrument is a refracting
telescope, completed in 1897, with an aperture of 40 inches and
a
focal length of 62 feet; this is the worlds largest
refractor.
In addition, there are two reflecting telescopes
with apertures of 24 inches, and a number of small instruments
designed especially for photographic and spectroscopic studies
of such atmospheric phenomena as the aurora borealis.
Since
1932 the University of Chicago has cooperated with
the
University of Texas in the operation of the latter's McDonald
Observatory at Fort Davis, Texas.
Observational
programs
conducted with the telescopes at the Yerkes observatory and
with the 36-inch and 82 inch reflecting telescopes at the
McDonald Observatory make use of a variety of photographic,
photometric, and spectroscopic techniques. These studies,
largely astrophysical, include investigations of the physical
properties of stars observed singly and in clusters, the
structure of our galaxy, and the structure and dynamics of
other galaxies. There are other programs for the observation
of double stars, planets, comets, asteroids and the aurora.
The Yerkes Observatory is also a leading center for theoretical
work in astrophysics.
Approved For Release 2000/08/11 : CIA-RDP96-00792R000700020001-8
Yerkes Observatory, on the shore
site 761
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