Astronomers Active in War, Reports Shapley

Playing an important role in the war effort, the Harvard Astronomical Observatory is undertaking 11 distinct types of military research which occupy the full time of about 25 members of the observatory's scientific staff, Harlow Shapley, director, reported to President Conant.

Pointing out that some of the assignments are too confidential to be commented upon, Shapley added that the nature of others are obvious when it is recalled that sailors steer by the stars and that the observatory has had to build and use many kinds of lenses and mirrors and practice various photographic techniques in the normal course of astronomical research.

War Hits Star Gazers

War work has taken its toll of astronomors. Shapley stated that four members of his staff, assigned to observing work at Bloemfontein, are in the South African Army. One was in Tobruk when the Axis captured the town and is believed to be a prisoner of war.

Three former members of the American staff are working at Aberdeen, Md., proving grounds, while four others are doing testing work for the United States Navy. Teaching of regular and special courses in navigation occupies the full time of three instructors at the observatory.

Dr. Shapley cited the observatory's participation in the Inter-American Astrophysical Congres in Mexico as the most interesting of the year's activities. On that occasion the new Astrophysical Observatory in the State of Puebla in Mexico was dedicated. Harvard had lent much of the equipment and Dr. George Dimitroff remained in Mexico for some weeks to assist in the instrallation of some of the equipment.