page_title: Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
section_title: SAO Today
hierarchical_section_title: Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory / SAO Today
caption_attribution_description: English: Dr. Charles Alcock, director of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge, Mass.
context_page_description: The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is a research institute of the Smithsonian Institution, concentrating on astrophysical studies including galactic and extragalactic astronomy, cosmology, solar, earth and planetary sciences, theory and instrumentation, using observations at wavelengths from the highest energy gamma rays to the radio, along with gravitational waves. Established in Washington, D.C., in 1890, the SAO moved its headquarters in 1955 to Cambridge, Massachusetts, where its research is a collaboration with the Harvard College Observatory and the Harvard University Department of Astronomy. In 1973, the Smithsonian and Harvard formalized the collaboration as the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian under a single Director.
context_section_description: The current director of the SAO is Charles R. Alcock (2004 to present). There are currently about 170 research staff working at the SAO, including affiliated research staff.  In addition, the SAO has about 120 postdoctoral researchers/fellows working in five competitive, associated fellowship programs: CfA, Clay, SMA, ITAMP, and Leon Van Speybroeck, or in support of a contract or grant. (Additional postdocs do research via Harvard fellowship programs or national/international fellowship awards); about 40% of the postdoctoral community are women and about 12% are from minority populations.  SAO scientists can supervise Harvard Ph.D students, and in addition they typically supervise about 30 graduate students from other institutions who are pursuing Ph.D. theses at the SAO. About thirty undergraduate students intern at the SAO each year.  All together there are about 950 staff (including administrative and management department employees) working at the Center.
caption: Charles R. Alcock, the current Director of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
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