U.S. Naval Observatory: The Move to Georgetown Heights and Double Star Work (1850-1950)

摘要

Founded in 1830 as the Depot of Charts and Instruments, the U.S. Naval Observatory (USNO) is one of the oldest continuously operational scientific institutions in the United States. Among its first tasks were testing, rating and evaluation of various US Navy equipment (such as ships' chronometers) as well as the dissemination of time, first through its historic time ball and later through direct input via the Western Union telegraph. Fundamental astrometry and maintenance of the Fundamental Reference Frame were among its earliest charters. There have been two main USNO campus locations since 1844: the first was a region of Washington still known as 'Foggy Bottom' which it occupied until 1893, when the USNO moved to its current location at 'Georgetown Heights'. The activities and history of the USNO from approximately 1850 to 1950 are briefly described with special attention to double star work done from then to now.