SPACE ASTRONOMY ORAL HISTORY PROJECT
G - N

*Gianopolis, George. Date: August 11, 1983. Interviewer: Allan A. Needell. Auspices: SAOHP. Length: 1.5 hrs.; 55 pp. Use restriction: Not established.

Reviews Gianopolis' work at JPL (1958- ) as a computer programmer and manager of ground systems on the Ranger, Mariner, and especially the Viking probes. The interview concentrates on his work as Systems Manager of Mission Control and Computing Center for Viking beginning in 1972. Topics discussed include the organizational structure of the Viking project; simulation testing of spacecraft computer systems and control systems; and, in detail, problems with Viking, which led to its demise in November 1982, and the procedures for and organization of the unsuccessful attempts to revive it by remote-control from earth.

TAPE 1, SIDE 1

1-24     Project prior to Viking Lander Monitor Mission

1-2     First involvement in the Viking Lander Monitor Mission

3     Position with JPL prior to NASA

4     Computing or ground systems work on projects prior to Viking

5     Personnel structure behind spacecraft missions

6-7     Viking structure

8     Designing the ground system

9     Operations team

10-11     Increase in complexity of operation

12     Primary mission and extended mission

13     Reduction in team size

14     Transfer of Viking project management from Langley Research Center to JPL

15-16     Solving specific problems; automating the attitude control gas values

17     Conserving attitude control gas in Orbiter 2

18-19     Orbiter 1 computer; designing the programs

20-21     Description of the simulator

22     After the Orbiters

23-24     Battery problems with Lander 2

25-55     Viking Lander Monitor Mission

25-26     The team. Al Britting, Joe Brinkle, Jim Tilman

27-28     Description of ground control equipment

TAPE 1, SIDE 2

29-30     Description of Lander data collection: 3 transmitting commands

31-32     First signs of battery trouble

33-35     Recondition the batteries (completely discharging then recharging the batteries)

36     Problems with overcharging due to routine battery charging

37-38     Advice of the Viking Battery Workshop, ni-cad battery experts

39     Building a new program, controlling the time between charges

41-42     Problems with parameter 2

43     Development of a new program by Al Moore

44-46     Transmitting to the Lander; failure of the program

47-55     Analyzing the problem; post mortem investigations


Gold, Thomas. Date: September 30, 1983. Interviewer: David H. DeVorkin. Auspices: SAOHP. Length: 1.25 hrs.; 20 pp. Use restriction: Permission required to quote, cite or reproduce.

Examines Gold's (b. May 22, 1920) career in astronomy when he held positions at Harvard as professor of astronomy (1957-9) and at Cornell as professor and as Director of the Center of Radiophysics and Space Research (1959-71). The interview deals with Gold's involvement as an 'outsider' with NASA during the development and execution of the first lunar and planetary missions, especially Apollo. Gold's views on the composition of the lunar surface, on instrumentation, on the development of photographic equipment for the Apollo missions, and on the Apollo missions in general are contrasted with those of NASA.

TAPE 1, SIDE 1

1-2     Early involvement with NASA; service on committees

2     Service on the Lunar and Planetary Missions Board; competition with Astronomy Missions Board

2-3     Manned versus unmanned spaceflight

3     Expressing opinion to NASA that, in general, unmanned missions were loss

4-5     Homer Newell and lunar dust; treatment of the idea by the press

6     Panels on OAO and OSO; relationship between Mueller and Newell

7     Telefactor and NASA

7-8     Fletcher and Telefactor

8     Contacts with NASA scientists

8-10     John Naugle and Gold's criticism of the Space Shuttle; testimony before a senate committee

10-11     Funding from NASA after this conflict

10-11     Dismissal of missions boards

11     Involvement in the Apollo program

11     Proposal for camera for photography of moon's surface

12     Training astronauts to use the camera

TAPE 1, SIDE 2

12-13     Astronaut's failure to use available film; data from photographs taken on the moon

13     Astronaut's attitude toward instruction in the use of the camera

13-14     Astronaut's training program from the moon; role of geologists

14     Simulation of the lunar surface: volcanic rock of powder

14-15     Effect on astronaut training after the first Apollo moon landing and the experience with a powdery lunar surface

15     offer to build a "moon room" for training simulating a powdery lunar surface

15-16     Questioning astronauts on what they noticed about the lunar surface

16-17     Astronaut's cooperation in performing experience

17-18     Proposal for a committee to oversee the instruction of astronauts in photography

19     Concluding work for NASA: the depth of the lunar dust

19-20     Topics for future interviews: NASA, pulsars, outgassing of the earth


Goldberg, Leo. Date: February 22, 1983. Interviewer: David H. DeVorkin. Auspices: SAOHP. Length: 3.5 hrs.; 53 pp. Use restriction: Permission required to quote, cite or reproduce.

Concentrates on Goldberg's (b. January 26, 1913) involvement in the use of V-2s to obtain solar spectra, while serving as Director of McMath-Hulbert Observatory and Chairman of the Astronomy Department at the University of Michigan (1946-1960). The discussion centers on his contacts with Menzel, Tousey and Spitzer, and NRL and ONR, in an attempt to delineate some of the organizational relationships which arose from the availability of the V-2s. Treated in less detail is Goldberg's involvement with OSO, ATM and Kitt Peak.

TAPE 1, SIDE 1

1     Harvard Summer School

2     Pannekoek, attendance; Menzel and radiation processes in gaseous nebula

3     Menzel in California; first summer school

4     Menzel and J.Q. Stewart; Russell's solar abundance; Russell and Menzel

5     Saha recollection; Saha and observations above the atmosphere

6     Recollections of Piccard; Spitzer and Saha; war research; McMath

7     Relations with and perception of McMath; V-2 period; train trips

8     Menzel and ORI; Navy interest in rocket research; Menzel criticism of Tousey design

9     Goldberg's institutional position; Lyman's project; position at Yale; losing time to war; Michigan job

10     Directorship at Michigan

11     Why the directorship over Yale; work at Michigan and McMath-Hulbert

12     Chronology of V-2 work; photocells for spectroscopy; data retrieval

TAPE 1, SIDE 2

13     Meeting with Griggs at RAND, cost of satellites; recollections of meeting with NRL-ORI, NRL relations

14     Relationship with Tousey; program data; perceptions of Tousey; OSO and Tousey

15     CO in the sun; CO absorption spectra and Tousey; data-sharing with Tousey

16     Starting a rocket program [Reeves and Parkinson]; Sitterley and Tousey

17     ONR contract - nature of research; Spitzer's interests; Nov. 20, 1946 meeting in D.C.; Sitterley and Tousey

18     Letters to Menzel and Spitzer; Menzel letters; NRL letters with Tousey

19     Reading correspondence; Solar UV and V-2's

20     Greenstein's UV predictions and why they were wrong; ionosphere-solar relationship

21     Use of V-2 UV measurements and Greenstein's rockets; ONR consultants

22     J. Boyce, potential consultant. Roderic Scott potentialconsultant; aluminizing tank

23     Scott, and Emberson at NRAO

TAPE 2, SIDE 1

24     Outside perceptions of NRL; why go into rocket work hows and whys of rocket scientists; institutional affiliation; transfer of ONR contract to Goldberg

25     Importance of military justification in ONR contract; military justification of research

26     Discussion of proposal's appendix; solar nuclear processes; scientists and the military

27     Selling astronomy to the military; funding of Space Platform; Whipple; NASA

28     Meteors and astronomy; V-2; Cdmr Bollay; Inyokern-White Mountain ONR meetings - rationale

29     Menzel using Tousey spectra; Dec. 30, 1946 meeting AAAS & AAS

30     Shapley portrayal at Dec. 30, 1946

31     Spitzer and spectrographs; summary of value of V-2 for space astronomy; Russian use of V-2 's work between ONR-OSO Harvard - Michigan OSO

32     Wiggley spectra; vacuum spectrograph Harvard - Michigan OSO

33     Ball Brothers, OSO concept evolution; beginnings of space astronomy - McDonnell aircraft into Space Science

34     McDonnell's Solar Observatory - report on astronomy from satellite

35     Early OAO plans Stellar-Solar OAO controversy; John Lindsay and OSO; AOSO

TAPE 2, SIDE 2

36-37     AOSO cancellation; AOSO goal; AOSO and post Apollo: ATM

38     Spitzer's V-2 interests tension; Tousey's motivation; rocket research as a closed field

39     Astronomers perceptions of V-2 work; astronomers in space; Whitford Report Kitt Peak

40     Congressional funding of NSF and Kitt Peak; Waterman and Thomas [Sugar Grove]

41     Sugar Bush and NRAO; origins of Whitford Report

42     Origins of LR Astronomical Facility planning; Whitford Committee selection

43     Whitford exclusion of space and reaction; federal funding of astronomy-effects

44     Planetary astronomy and NASA; engineers in NASA

45     NASA-scientist relations; science [astronomy] at GSFC; NASA science management

46     ATM piggybacking on Skylab; ATM fiasco's the problems of piggybacking

47     ATM and George Miller; changing ATM, flare experiments

48     Withdrawing from ATM

TAPE 3, SIDE 1

49     Negotiating with NASA; flying original experimentation ATM; building the experiment; Astronomy Missions Board - NAS-SSB relations

50     NASA funding of astronomy; Kitt Peak Space Division; 50-inch     in space and Kitt Peak

51     Kitt Peak Space Division development

52     Voyager; Shapley and space photographic versus P-E for telemetry; P-E's advantage over photography

53     Hinteregger; Hopefield; Menzel's critique of Tousey's design


Goldberg, Leo. Date: August 9, 1983. Interviewer: Owen Gingerich. Auspices: SAOHP. Length: 1.5 hrs.; 26 pp. Use restriction: Open.

Reviews Goldberg's (b. January 26, 1913) education in astrophysics at Harvard (B.S., 1934; A.M., 1937; PhD, 1938). The interview centers on the social and scientific aspects of Goldberg's activities as a graduate student. His contact with Shapley, Menzel, and others, is discussed.

TAPE 1, SIDE 1

1-18     Identification of and comments on individuals in a group photograph of the 1936 Harvard summer school Barbara Cherry Loring Andrews Leon Campbell

4     M.N. Saha Ted Sterne

5     Rupert Wildt

5-6     Jenka Mohr Sergel Gaposchkin

7     Henrietta Swope Carol Anger Edith Jones and Florence Bibber

8-9     Jimmy Baker

TAPE 1, SIDE 2

10     Jimmy Baker (continued)

10     Alice Farnsworth and Helen Thomas

11     Lois Slocum, Frances Wright and Rita Paraboski

11-13     George Dimitroff

14     Elizabeth Baker

15     Bill Calder, Frank Edmondson

16     Richard Emberson

16-17     Rebecca Jones

17     Bart Bok

17-18     Samuel Thorndike

TAPE 2, SIDE 1

19-21     Shapley and his interaction with graduate students

19     Playing volleyball

19-20     Concept of fractional parentage; postgame inspiration

20     Playing bridge Dancing at Shapley's parties

21     Access to Shapley

21-26     Being a graduate student in the 30s

21     Menzel's application of atomic physics to astronomy. Early work for Menzel; MIT contact

22     Unsold

23     Stellar evolution and work on helium atomic physics to astronomy

24     Influence of Eddington on interest in atomic physics

24-25     Application of atomic physics to astronomy vs conventional observing astronomy

26     Interaction with Bok


Goldberg, Leo. Date: October 10, 1983. Interviewer: Owen Gingerich. Auspices: SAOHP. Length: 1.5 hrs.; 21 pp. Use restriction: Public.

Appraises Goldberg's (b. January 26, 1913) career at Harvard where he was Higgins professor of astronomy (1960-73) and Chairman of the Astronomy Department and Director of the Harvard College Observatory (1966-71). Goldberg relates his decision to come to Harvard from Michigan, then discusses his scientific work while at Harvard, as well as internal politics and conflicts. A brief account is given of his decision to go to Kitt Peak, where he served as Director (1971-77).

TAPE 1, SIDE 1

1-2     Appointment at Harvard - leaving Michigan; joint Smithsonian Harvard appointment

2-3     NASA contracts brought to Harvard

3     Involving experimental spectroscopists in satellite instrumentation work; convincing laboratory How joint appointment worked

4     Development of shock tube laboratory

5     Reeves and Parkinson NASA acceptance of relevance of shock tube work to astrophysics Other shock tube laboratories

6     Scientific results from shock tube lab and spectroscopy lab

7     Value of auto-ionization work

8     Scientific achievements of OSO series and Skylab - properties of the chromosphere and chromosphere and coronal holes Future of solar studies from space

9     Appointment as department chairman and director of the observatory

10     Attempt as chairman to upgrade teaching - balance of teaching between Harvard and Smithsonian staff Succeeding Donald Menzel as director of Harvard Observatory - offer from NASA to be director of Goddard

10-11     Goddard as lead center for astronomy

11-12     NASA and astronomers - difficulty in hiring first rate astronomers

12     Upgrading the reputation of the Harvard Graduate School

12-13     Harvard's reputations in instrumentation - Shapley

13     Bok's 1952 proposal for a 24-ft. dish

14     Improving Harvard 's instrumentation reputation

14     Fred Whipple and Mt. Hopkins

14-16     Donald Menzel and a proposed 90-in. telescope in Hawaii - his interaction with the astronomy council and Harvard president Pusey

15-17     Fred Whipple - disappointment over failure to win approval for Hawaii telescope and reluctance to communicate with council and Goldberg about Smithsonian projects

17-18     Harvard and Smithsonian infra-red groups

18-19     Discontent of Smithsonian staff

19-20     Difficulty in doing long-range planning without the cooperation of the Smithsonian-discussion with Dillon Ripley to gain Whipple's cooperation

20     Committee to review Harvard/Smithsonian relationship

21     Decision to go to Kitt Peak


Harwit, Martin Otto and Henry Kondracki. Date: February 9, 1983. Interviewer: David H. DeVorkin. Auspices: SAOHP. Length: 1.5 hrs.; 25 pp. Use restriction: Public.

Examines Harwit's (b. March 9, 1931) tenure as a physicist at NRL while a NSF Fellow (1961-2) and his working relationship with Henry Kondracki, a NRL engineer. The interview primarily is concerned with the roles of Harwit and Kondracki in the development of an infrared Aerobee rocket payload at NRL.

TAPE 1, SIDE 1

1-2     Background to Harwit's and Kondracki's working relationship on an infrared Aerobee rocket payload at NRL

1-2     Harwit's NSF fellowship to do infrared rocketry at NRL

2     Kondracki's selection from the NRL Engineering Services Division to work in cryogenics in the infrared field

2     Kondracki's initial response to infrared experiment; engineering problems

3     Lubrication problem; in-house vs. commercial solution

3     Use of molybdenum disulfide as lubricant

4     Use of outside contractors; workload of Engineering Services Division

4-5     Problem of achieving necessary altitude; payload weight

5     Harwit's view of the feasibility of solving the problems

5-6     Helium vs nitrogen cooled

5-6     Size of the instrument; thermal problems

6-7     First payload built at NRL - Atlas flight

6     Cooling problems

7     Flight delay and beginning of Aerobee project

7-8     Atlas flight and results

8-9     Development of experience of working with Aerobees

10-11     Support from the more experienced rocket groups at NRL

11     Building their own rocket group

11     Working with Blair Zajar

12     Value of experience of developing own rocket group

13-21     Design decision on the instrument

13     Competition between Cornell and NRL

14     Axial vs. side-viewing designs

15     ACS Unit and objects to be observed

15-16     Contracting for the cryogenic Dewar

16     Components of the dewar

16     Mounting the instrument on an Aerobee

16     The stator

16-17     Pop-out baffle

17     Problems in designing the door

18     Military responsibility for safety of rocket

18-19     Thermal problems

19     Switch to axial/nose cone design

19-20     Competition within NRL; NASA doubts about liquid helium-cooled payload

20-21     Concern about explosion with liquid helium; demonstrating efficacy of its use

21     Importance of a successful flight for future

21-22     Working on the instrument at Cornell; Kondracki as anindependent subcontractor

22     Handling the workload at NRL from scientists on fellowships/ sabbaticals

23-25     Kondracki forming his own company


    April 19, 1983

TAPE 1, SIDE 1

25-35     Family background and early life in Europe

25-26     Father's background and employment

26     Mother's background

26-27     Father's attitude on a career in medicine/chemistry for Martin

27     Father's awareness of anti-Semitism; advice to Harwit to change his name

27-28     Awareness of anti-Semitism in US

28     Effect of Nazi programs on family

29     Bilingual upbringing

29     Father's loyalty to Czechoslovakia

30-31     First awareness that his family was Jewish

30-31     Moving to Turkey; father dismissal from Charles University in Prague

31     Life in Turkey

31     Father's attitude regarding Zionism

32-34     Schooling in Turkey

32     Attending a British school; instruction in English and Turkish

33     Interest in sports

34     Attending classes with older students

35-45     Emigrating to the US

35     Father sending the family ahead; sister's enrollment at Indiana University; rooming with a faculty biochemist

36     Job offer for father at Indiana University

36-37     Interaction in the family; household responsibilities

37-38     Completing high school in US; Bronx High School of Science (BHSS)

TAPE 1, SIDE 2

38-39     Early interests and school work in science

39     Preparing for Bronx High School of Science

40     Sport sand classmates at BHSS

41     Comparison of BHSS to the international character of school in Turkey

42     Summer work

43     Adjusting to Americans/American life

44     Choosing a university

45     Feelings toward relatives in US

45-50     Attending Oberlin College

46     Decision to study physics

46     Attitude toward physics lab course

46-47     Content of physics at Oberlin; interest in atomic physics

47     Feelings about the atomic bomb

48     Contact with research

48-49     Disillusionment with physics; interests in architecture

49-50     Counseling from Ted Manning

50-52     Graduate work at Amherst

50     Applying to Amherst

TAPE 2, SIDE 1

50-51     Financial help from family; teaching assistantship at Amherst

51-52     Interest in chemical physics

52-56     Graduate work at the University of Michigan

52-53     Social adjustments in college; acquiring citizenship

53-54     Faculty; strength in spectroscopy

53-54     Working with G.B.B.M. Sutherland

55     Course work; written examinations preparation

55     Failing part of the written exam results; suggestion to leave PhD program

57-58     Work in the Upper Atmosphere Division at Michigan

58     Building an accelerometer

58     Choosing between continued work with Upper Atmosphere group and graduate school; concern over the draft

58-67     Induction in the Army

58-60     Work with the Army Chemical Group; chance to use physics training

59-60     Opportunity to work with Signal Corps through Leslie Jones contacts

59-60     Contact with Leslie Jones

61     Contributions of Army work to later career

62     Self-taught hydrodynamics work

62     Use of library for self-education

63     Quality of research work at lab association with other military research labs

63     Contact with MIT

64-65     Neutron monitoring work

65-66     Meeting his wife

66-67     First interest in astronomy

67     Graduate work at MIT; courses in astronomy


Harwit, Martin Otto. Date: April 19; June 20; June 22, 1983. Interviewer: David H. DeVorkin. Auspices: SAOHP. Length: 9 hrs.; 169 pp. Use restriction: Public.

After surveying Harwit's (b. March 9, 1931) family background and early education, the interview concentrates on his graduate education at MIT (PhD, 1960, physics) and his career in physics at Cambridge University as a NATO Fellow (1960-1), at NRL as a NSF Fellow (1961-2), and, principally, at Cornell as assistant and associate professor of astronomy (1962-8), professor (1968- ), and chairman of the department (1971-6). The interview covers a broad range of his scientific interests: galaxy and star formation; comets; infrared optics, especially relating to detector technology; infrared astronomy; rocket astronomy; history and philosophy of science; and educational astronomy.

    Marwit Harwit

    June 20, 1983

TAPE 1, SIDE 1

68-84     Graduate work at MIT

68-69     Astronomy course from Cecilia Gaposchkin, Thomas Gold and Fred Whipple

69     Work with Gold on problems of dust transport on Moon

69-70     Building an apparatus to test an electrostatic model of dust transport

70-71     Gold's response to the apparatus; other experiments on dust

71-73     Summer work for Block Associates; building an interferometer

73     Influence of Larry Mertz on approach to optics

73-74     Multiplexing as an example of Mertz's influence

74     Background of thesis advisor, William Allis

74-75     Hanbury-Brown and Twiss stellar interferometer

75-76     Controversy over Hanbury-Brown and Twiss technique

77     Thesis topic: Hanbury-Brown and Twiss observation and Bose-Einstein

77-78     Selecting Allis as an advisor

78-79     Influence of thesis on later astronomical interests

79     Finding a supplier for necessary instrumentation; Naval Supersonic Lab

TAPE 1, SIDE 2

79-80     Detectors; lead sulfide and others

80-81     General problems in doing experimental work for thesis

81     Decision to go into astrophysics; influence of Tommy Gold

82     Contacts at Harvard

82     Gold's reception in the astrophysical community

82-83     Gold at Cornell's conflict with Bill Gordon

83-84     Gold and suggestions for post doc work

84-97     NATO post-doctoral fellowships

85-87     Early infrared interests; detecting interstellar molecular hydrogen; idea from 1958/1959 Harvard seminar

87     Research approach to post-doctoral work in England

88     Work with Hoyle on comet tails

88     Work with Hoyle on intergalactic bridges

89-90     Contact with Herman Bondi

90     Bondi position on the role of observation and theory

90-91     Contact with Martin Ryle

91-92     Ryle's personality Ryle's group at Cambridge

92     Hoyle's personality

TAPE 2, SIDE 1

92-93     Atmosphere at Cambridge - Harwit's feeling about it

93     Working relationship with Hoyle

94     Quasars

94     Work with Bondi on steady state theory

95-96     Ryle and Bondi controversy on the steady state theory

96     Desire to avoid ad hominem professional exchanges

96-97     Other contacts at Cambridge

97     Consideration of plans after the conclusion of the fellowship

97-169     Cornell

97-98     Offer from Tommy Gold to work at Cornell; support from an NSF post-doctoral fellowship

98     Decision to stay at Cornell

99-100     Interest in Gold's work on the lunar surface

100     Desire to pursue own research problems rather than Gold's

100     Teaching responsibilities Cornell; Beginning astrophysics and Astrophysical Concepts

101     Aim of Astrophysical Concepts

102     Astrophysical Concepts as an introduction for physicists to astrophysics

102-103     Level of difficulty of Astrophysical Concepts

103-104     Discussing with Gold an interest in doing space observations; Gold's preference for having theorists work on his problems at NRL

104-105     Gold's suggestions to contract Herbert for Radio Physics and Space

105     Shaw and building up an astronomy department at Cornell

105     Decision to go into space work

105-106     Contact with Herbert Friedman; E.O. Hulburt Fellowship

TAPE 2, SIDE 2

107     Other subsequent Hulbert Fellows

107     Knowledge of Herbert Friedman's work

108     Awareness of AS and E and NRL relations: X-ray astronomy

108-109     Decision with Friedman to look for back-ground infrared radiation

109-110     Working atmosphere at NRL; comparison to other places worked

110-111     Tenure at Cornell; preference for an academic environment vs. a military environment

111-112     Available detectors; photoconductors versus bolometer detectors

112     Choice of photoconductor detectors for first rockets flown by NRL

112     Determining infrared sources that the rockets might observe

112-113     Early contact with other infrared people

113     Obtaining detectors

113-114     1967 infrared instrument payload

114-115     Applying engineering knowledge from rockets to satellites

115-116     NASA Advisory Panel's attitude toward rocket research vs. ground-based and balloon research

116-117     Difference over whether ground-based or rockets were best meansto a satellite

117     Air Force support after NASA support withdrawn

118-119     Importance of a successful rocket flight for promotion at Cornell

119     From rocketsonde work to airborne work

119-120     Liquid helium-cooled balloon telescope with Bill Hoffman

    June 22, 1983

TAPE 3, SIDE 1

120-121     NASA Airborne Program infrared proposals

122     Instrumentation: detectors and telescopes

122     Frank Low

122-123     Flying schedules

123     Use of infrared observing: chemical analysis, fine structure transitions

124     Houck's liquid helium cooled spectrometer

124     Sensitivity of detectors and low spectral resolution

125     Dennis Ward: 88 micron fine structure transition

125-126     Funding problems with NASA

126-127     Cosmic Discovery and funding problems

127     Cosmic Discovery and problems in astronomy yet to be worked on

127-128     Difficulty in getting preliminary article published

128-129     Cosmic Discovery and Frank Martin and its use at NASA

129-130     Interest in history of astronomy; influence of book by Edge and Mulkay

130-131     Realization that biggest instruments have little influence on what discoveries are made

131-134     Hadamard transform spectroscopy

TAPE 3, SIDE 2

134-135     Work with N. Sloan on Hadamard transforms

135-136     Initial interest in Hadamard transforms Mertz and consulting work with Comstock and Westcott

136     Forming Spectral Imaging, Inc. with John Decker

136-137     Building and patenting an instrument for NASA

137-138     Reception of instrument and its potential uses

138     Closing Spectral Imaging, Inc.

139     Later applications of Hadamard technique by other scientists

139-140     Molecular lines discovered in infrared work

140-141     Interstellar gas phase chemistry

141-142     Increasing observational sensitivity

142     Competition with Townes group at Berkeley; consequences for NASA funding

143     Membership in Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy

143-144     Contrast between European and American approaches to instrumentation

144-145     NASA evaluations for continued funding NASA discontinuing funding for Learjet astronomical work

TAPE 4, SIDE 1

146-147     Lack of proper instrument maintenance on the Learjet

147     Quality of support service on the Kuiper Observatory

147-148     NASA attitude toward suborbital programs; as testing ground for instrumentation to be used in space

148-149     NASA use of ground-based astronomy; relation to IRTF

149-150     Perception and involvement in planetary work

150-151     Arecibo, Tommy Gold and ionospheric research

152-153     Frank Drake and Arecibo

153     Origin of name for Center for Radio Physics and Space Research

154     Research groups at the Center

154-155     Carl Sagan at Cornell

155-157     Faculty relations in the Astronomy Dept

157-158     Student-faculty relation at Cornell

158-159     Cornell's strength in graduate teaching in astronomy; structure of graduate program

159-160     Serving on NASA advisory panels

160     Including infrared instrumentation on Space Telescope

161     Relative role of theory and technology in doing science

161-162     Involvement with IRAS; competition with Neugebauer and Low group

162     Ney and Stein IRAS proposal

162-163     Ball Brothers and the Harwit-Houck IRAS proposal

163-164     Presenting their IRAS proposal to NASA; feeling about proposal eventually selected and working on the IRAS team

164-166     Comparison of IRAS design to Harwit-Houck proposal

166-168     Satisfying projects and work in career; publishing one paper vs several on a subject - consequences for approval from scientific community

168-169     Motivation in doing science


Havens, Ralph. Date: October 6, 1983. Interviewer: David H. DeVorkin. Auspices: SAOHP. Length: 1.25 hrs.; 17 pp. Use restriction: Public.

Examines Havens' (b. December 7, 1909) tenure at NRL (1946-54) working under Ernst Krause and, more briefly, his work under Krause at Lockheed and Ford Aeroneutronics after 1954. Discussion focuses on Havens' work measuring temperature, pressure and density of the upper atmosphere through the use of V-2s, Aerobees and Vikings; and on his relationship with Krause.

TAPE 1, SIDE 1

1     Early family background and education

1     Employment at NRL after WWII; involvement with V-2 research

1-2     Work with NRL group measuring pressure, density and temperature of upper atmosphere

2-3     Balloon versus rocket work; cosmic ray work from balloons

3     Relationship with Newell; Relationship between Optics Division and Rocketsonde Division

3-4     Relationship between Newell and Rosen after Krause's departure

4     Success of pressure gauges

4-5     Haven cycle gauge

5-6     Use of the gauge in V-2s and Vikings

6     Approach to electronics in instrumentation

6     Attitude toward electronics in rocketsonde group

6-7     Working conditions at NRL

7     Contacts with Michigan group

7-8     Switching

8-9     NRL sensors compared to Michigan sensors

9     Havens limit for measuring infrared radiation

9     Infrared detectors

9-10     Graduate background at Wisconsin

10-11     Transfer from Bureau of Ships to NRL; contact with Krause

11     Contact with C.V. Strain and Mengel

11     Contact with C. H. Smith

11-12     Dissatisfaction with the use of rockets for cosmic ray work

12     Rocket failures and unreliability

13     Aerobees and Vikings

13     Working for Krause at Lockheed

13-14     Krause's expectations of his employees

14     Ford Aeroneutronics

14-15     Herb Karsh

15-16     Laboratory notebooks, records

16     Milton Rosen

17     Contacts with NACA on upper atmosphere


Hibbs, Albert Roach. Date: December 9, 1982. Interviewers: Allan Needell; Joseph Tatarewicz. Auspices: SAOHP. Length: 1 hr.; 24 pp. Use restriction: Open.

Reviews Hibbs' (b. October 19, 1924) career in theoretical physics at JPL as research engineer of applied physics (1950-6), Chief of Research in Analysis Section (1956-9) and Chief of Space Science (1959-62). The interview concentrates on understanding the origins of JPL's interest in planetary and lunar exploration. Topics discussed include Hibbs' and William H. Pickering's roles in the preparation of proposal to establish a planetary program; drawbacks of engaging in planetary research; the role of JPL as a NASA center; JPL's approach to developing instrumentation; and Explorer 1.

TAPE 1, SIDE 1

1-2     Origins of JPL's interest in planetary exploration

1     Contact with von Braun

2     "Bootlegging" during Army contract years; attitude at CALTECH; focus of JPL's interest on engineering; Hibb's work on Corporal and Sergeant rockets

2-4     Early JPL thoughts on a planetary exploration program

2     Deliberations on adopting a specific science element in organization

3     Pickering asks Hibbs to work on science proposals; initial recommendation; Pickering's commitment to development of science division; pre-NASA prominence of the race to put a man in space; JPL debate over future role in space program

4     Attraction of planetary exploration; NRL unmanned satellite program; Hibbs edits "Exploration of the Planet"

4     Response to planetary exploration proposals

5-6     Contact with ABMA

6     Jupiter rocket; early contact with Von Braun and German group; change in style after NASA incorporation; character of meetings with von Braun

6-10     Early considerations for a planetary exploration program

6     Lack of American-trained planetary astronomers; information on Venus and Mars; other NASA centers uninterested in planetary research

7     Space Technologies Laboratories' Venus mission

8     Switch from propulsion projects to instrumentation

9     Ury and Kuiper; CALTECH astronomers; Kuiper's interest in ground-based support

10     The Lunar and Planetary Exploration Colloquium; interest of other scientists, innovations for program; competition with Russians; Luna 2

10-11     Lunar polar orbiter project

10     Hibbs' interest in moon as an operational base to make chemical fuel

11     Materials in Space Program; engineering challenge of the moon

12-15     Role of JPL as NASA center

13     Arrogance at JPL competition with Goddard Space Flight Center

14     Goddard's interest in a planetary probe project

15     Seriousness of Goddard threat

15-17     Scientific Instrumentation

15     Need for astronomical understanding of exploration results

16     Cultivating scientific community's interest in providing instrumentation for probes

16     Concern for sensible instruments; sophistication of American instruments; debate over choice of instrumentation Hibbs' commitment to cameras

17     Goals of planetary exploration

18-19     Concern for Space Technologies Laboratories' work and the origins of the three-axis stabilized spacecraft design

20-23     Explorer 1

20     Decision for JPL to be project manager

20-21     Capabilities of original RTV's

21     Redstone guidance system

22     Payload for Explorer 1

22     Need for American trained planetary astronomers

24     Physicists involved in early planning for planetary exploration; CALTECH professors, scientific specialists interested in space science research

LETTERS

1     Local scientists interested in planetary probes

2     Military use of moon and planets

3     Jupiter-C system

3     Physicists' attitude toward space exploration

4     CALTECH and JPL

5     Scientific instruments

5-6     JPL attitude towards space system work


Hinners, Noel. Date: July 31, 1981. Interviewer: David H. DeVorkin. Auspices: SAOHP. Length: 1.5 hrs.; 21 pp. Use restriction: Permission required to quote, cite or reproduce.

Treats Hinners' (b. December 25, 1935) tenure at NASA as Deputy Director (1972-4) and Director of the Office of Space Science (1974-9). The primary focus of discussion is Hinners' impressions of Frosch's administration of NASA, including Frosch's departmental reorganization, as well as NASA decisions relating to Space Telescope and Space Telescope Science Institute.

TAPE 1, SIDE 1

1     Initial responsibilities at NASA; Director of the Lunar program

2     Developing a data analysis program; budgeting for such program

2     Creation of chief scientist post at NASA

2-3     Semantics of position titles

3     Naugle's administrative style

3     Responsibilities of the Associate Administrator of Space Science

4     NASA policy changes just prior to Frosch

4     NASA in-house science vs. outside science

4-5     NASA in-house review process

5     Reorganization of launch vehicle responsibility

5-6     Physics and astronomy office reorganization

6-7     Upper atmosphere research office

7-8     NASA program reviews; OSS reviews and Frosch's general management reviews

8     Problem of defining policy objectives; Schmitt

9-10     Press' and Frosh's idea of policy

10-11     Military involvement with the Shuttle

11     Frosch devoting his time to policy considerations

12     Frosch and the Skylab reentry

13     Frosch's approach to problems; role of the chief engineer

13-14     Decision of the size of the Space Telescope

14-15     Decision to create a Space Institute; Goddard attitude

15-16     Horning study; Goddard response to the study

17-18     Space Institute decisions in Frosch's administration; site selection

18-19     "Caretaker" nature of Frosch's administration

19     The possibility of Frosch resigning

19-20     Initial reaction to Frosch's appointment as NASA administrator

20     Space applications budget in OSS

21     Frosch attitude to VOIR mission


*Hinteregger, Hans Erich. Date: December 13, 1983. Interviewer: David H. DeVorkin. Auspices: SAOHP. Length: 3 hrs.; 91 pp. Use restriction: Not established.

Reviews Hinteregger's (b. September 3, 1919) career at Air Force Cambridge Research Labs (AFCRL) as a solar and atmospheric physicist (1951- ). After a brief sketch of Hinteregger's early life and education, the interview traces his initial interest and involvement in atmospheric and solar physics, especially in UV research, and in rocket research after his arrival at AFCRL. The discussion then concentrates on his development and design of various UV photoelectric detectors; his relationship with NASA and work on OGO and OSO; the development and design of Atmospheric Explorer; and reflections on his administrative duties as Branch Chief.

TAPE 1, SIDE 1

1-2     Family background

2-4     Education background - schooling in Austria

4     Interest in music

4-5     Decision to study science rather than medicine

5     Military service, 1940-1945 in Luftwaffe

5     Technische Hochschule von Wien - study of engineering physics

6-7     Moving family out of Vienna at the end of the war

7-8     Research assistantship at the Institute of Physics at Gòttingen University atmosphere and interest in the theory of the betatron

8     Refuge in Bavaria after leaving Vienna

8     Contact with Heisenberg

8-9     Contact with Kopferman

9     Responsibilities in Luftwaffe

9-10     Contact with ionospheric research

10-12     Emigration to US in 1951 - sponsorship by Project 63 - contact with AFCRL

12-13     Learning English

13-14     Looking for employment interview with Ken Watanabe

14     AFCRL/AFGL

14     Work with Watanabe; attitude toward atmospheric physics

15-16     Ultraviolet radiation research - role in entering space research; developing an ultraviolet photoelectric detector

16-17     Early work in spectral photometry - electron analyzed and determining atmospheric background of electrons

17-18     Applications to ionospheric research

TAPE 1, SIDE 2

18-20     Involvement in experimental work in atmospheric physics and solar physics

20-22     Watanabe

23-24     Rense and the Helium II line; Lyman alpha

24-25     Publications in the 1950s - technology of photosensitive surfaces

25-26     Pressure to do rocket research in the 1950s

26-28     Effect of Sputnik - own interest in rocket research - 1956 paper "Photoelectric intensity measurements of E UV solar and stellar radiation"

28-29     Contact with Harvard - offer to join HCO

30-31     Offer from Rense and Thomas to Univ of Colorado

31     Offer to join NASA

32     1960 letter concerning JPL

32-33     Participation in NASA committees

33-34     Manned vs unmanned space science-role of NASA and defense related objectives

35-36     Transition from early spectrometers to scanning grazing incidence

37-38     Design of monochrometer - Rowland circle grazing incidence, copper-beryllium scanning strip

TAPE 2, SIDE 1

38-39     First photoelectric monochrometer to be flown

39     Photoelectric vs photographic detection

40-41     Monochrometers on Atmospheric Explorer - NASA attitude toward design

41-42     Offer from Astrophysics Institute in Tubingen

43-44     Promotions - value of scientists vs administrators

45     Research - justification of in terms of agency's mission

46-47     Support from NASA hardware development on OGO and OSO satellites

47-48     OGO and OSO as preparation for Atmospheric Explorer

48-49     Solar monochrometer on OSO - value of experiment

49-50     Interest in continuity and improvement in research work

50-51     Relationship between terrestrial atmospheric physicists and solar physicists

51-52     Recognizing the need of aeronomical theorists - use of data by aeronomical theorists

52-53     Origins of Atmospheric Explorer (AE) program - NASA

53-54     AFCRL support of Hinteregger's research for AE

54-55     Selection of proposal for AE

55-56     Extended funding for AE; longer than expected life for satellites

56     Time spent of AE - relinquish branch chief - paperwork

56-57     Administrative work as branch chief - paperwork

TAPE 2, SIDE 2

58     Administrative work involved in NASA funding

58-60     Support from NASA - AFGL ability to pick up funding; pushing for additional funding

61-62     University of Colorado and Ball Brothers

62-64     Comstock and Westcott-contract for 1959 instrument

64-66     Associated research contracts

66-67     Contract work with Ball Brothers

67-68     Contracting out work as developing in-house facilities

68-70     Early paper on instrumentation

70-71     Knowledge of plans for using moon and planets for military purposes

71-73     Value od decentralized organization science

73-74     Gerhardt Schmidt

74     Number of sounding rocket flights involved in

74-75     Development of collimating grating monochrometers

75-78     Papers on UV spectrophotometry

78-79     Atmospheric Explorer-C vehicle and -D and -E vehicles

79-80     Time spent at Goddard during early launches

80-81     Reference spectrum

81-82     Papers on solar terrestrial relations

82     Major results of work on nature of sun and solar terrestrial relations

83-84     Vela Project-work at Los Alamos

84-86     Work hours and family life-children careers

86-87     Diversions

88-89     Relative advantages of photoelectric and photographic techniques

89-90     Progress of photoelectric detectors

90-91     Collaborators

91     Contact with Marcus O'Day

91     Work atmospheric at AFGL


Johnson, Charles Yothers. Date: March 3, 1982. Interviewer: Peg Shea. Auspices: SAOHP. Length: 3 hrs; 31 pp. Use restriction: Public.

Traces Johnson's (b. August 16, 1920) career at NRL as a physicist in the Cosmic Ray Section (1946-54), Head as a physicist in the Cosmic Ray Section (1946-48) and Head of the Aeronomy Section (1959- ). After a brief description of his early life and education. Johnson discusses his interest in V-2 science, IGY and the Vanguard program. His perceptions of NRL's organizational changes, internal politics and its relation with newly-established NASA also covered.

TAPE 1, SIDE 1

1-2     Early Life

1     Education; interest in science and engineering

2     Childhood; movies; parents; University of Virginia

2-4     Naval Research Lab during WWII

2     Assignment; early work

3     Field service; duty stations outside NRL; A-Bomb

4     Explosion heard on Okinawa; emotions at end of war

4-5     Early interest in V-2 science; Milton Rosen and Ernst Krause

6-7     Post-war NRL

7     John Hagen

8     Peenemùnde scientists at WSPG

9-10     NRL structure

9     Tousey, Friedman, and Krause

9     Lack of competition

10-11     Photoelectric sensors vs. film

11-12     Sputnik

TAPE 1, SIDE 2

12-15     Atmosphere at NRL

12     Freedom at NRL

13     Attitude towards science; NRL publishing

14-15     NRL's biological science; NRL as corporate laboratory; direction of projects; Tousey

16-17     Perceptions of scientists and engineers at NRL

18-20     Vanguard program

18     John Hagen and Homer Newell

19     Newell's role; politics of Vanguard; reaction to Newell's being passed over; administrative expertise vs. shop-floor experience management

20-21     Post-IGY

21-22     Birth of NASA

21     Johnson's decision not to go; NRL people go to NASA

22     Competition with NASA

TAPE 2, SIDE 1

22-23     After NRL migration to NASA

23     ONR-NRL relationship

23-24     Ionospheric Research

24-25     University contacts UV work; Spitzer; knows few astronomers at White Sands and NRL; Solrad

25     Problems with Solrad

26     Scattered solar radiation research; military legitimization ofresearch; reasons for Navy funding

26-27     Pointing controls

27     Sun Follower development

27     V-2 spectrograph

28-29     Cloud chamber experiments

28     Perlow's cloud chamber; description of experiment

29     IGY origin

30-31     Viking


Johnson, Charles Yothers. Date: April 21, 1982. Interviewers: Allan Needell; Peg Shea. Auspices: SAOHP. Length: 2.5 hrs; 30 pp. Use restriction: Public.

This interview centers on Johnson's role at NRL in the use and development of various rockets - V-2s, Aerobee, Viking, Vanguard - for experiments in upper atmosphere research. Although Johnson's work is primarily in instrumentation, he also discusses his overall perceptions of NRL and NASA, and his contract with James Van Allen and Milton Rosen.

TAPE 1, SIDE 1

1-4     Perlow's reasons for leaving NRL

1     Perlow's career

2     Viking 4

3-4     Balloons

5-7     Viking

5     Roosen: Viking vs. Aerobee

6     NRL Satellite mission philosophy

7     Sharing rockets

7-8     IGY

7     Origins of Fort Churchill

8-13     Aerobee

9     Johnson and the Aerobee-Hi

10-13     Aerobee failure

TAPE 1, SIDE 2

13-16     IGY

14     Ionospheric research

15     Fort Churchill

16     Public knowledge of IGY

16-19     Vanguard

17     Instrumentation

18     NRL and contractors: inter-service Rivalry

19     Failure of rocket

20-21     IGY

21     Effects of the IGY

21-24     NASA and NRL

TAPE 2, SIDE 1

25-26     Van Allen and satellites

25     Vanguard

25-26     Vanguard vs. Explorer

27-30     Satellites

27     Why Johnson did not go into satellites

28     Alouette

28-30     Rockets at NRL: procurement of rockets: LOFTI: ion composition of atmosphere


Johnson, Francis S. Date: June 23, 1982. Interviewer: David H. DeVorkin. Auspices: SAOHP. Length: 3 hrs.; 58 pp. Use restriction: Permission required to quote, cite or reproduce.

Recounts in detail Johnson's (b. July 20, 1918) work at NRL as a physicist (1946-55), as well as his decision to work for Lockheed Missile and Space Co. (1955-62). Johnson's early life and educational background (UCLA, PhD, 1958, meteorology) are discussed before concentrating on his role in the design and construction of spectrographs for use in V-2 flights. Other aspects of his tenure at NRL discussed include the use of pointing controls, the internal organization of NRL, and his contact with Krause, Tousey and Menzel.

TAPE 1, SIDE 1

1-3     Early life and ancestors

1-3     Farming in Canada

2     Early schooling

2     Parents education

2-3     Early reading and interests

3-5     High school in Alberta and Edmonton; early scientific interests

3-4     Early interest in electronics

4     Parents attitude towards university

4     Parents' attitude towards university education

4-5     Participation in the family hatchery business

5-8     Undergraduate education at the University of Alberta

5     Choice of University

5     Choice of physics as a major

5     Textbooks

5     Teachers

6     Digression on physics as a profession in 1940

6     Laboratory experience

6-7     Faculty research

7     Classmates

7-8     Choice of graduate school

8-12     Graduate education at the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of California, Los Angeles

8     Classmates at Berkeley

8     Enrollment in the Air Force meteorology program at UCLA

8-9     Professors in UCLA meteorology program

9-10     Quantum mechanics from Oppenheimer at Berkeley

10-11     Other professors at Berkeley

11-12     Astronomy from Joseph Kaplan

12     Awareness of standard atmospheric tables

13-18     Weather forecaster and officer in the Air Force

13     Transistor from UCLA program

14     Initial assignments

14     Duties in the Weather Service

15     Marriage to Maureen Green

TAPE 1, SIDE 2

15-18     Assignment in Italy

15-16     Duties and Work situation

16     Dates of tour

16-17     Assignment to Naples

17     Intercepting and decoding Axis weather information

17-18     Awareness of German V rockets

18     Post -military career plans

18-58     Career at NRL

19     Introduction to Hulburt and Tousey

19     Research atmosphere at NRL

19-53     The V-2 and spectrography

20-21     Availability of V-2s

21-24     NRL divisions and organization

22     Krause's and Tousey's role

24     Reading habits at NRL

25     Contact with Menzel

25-26     Constitution of Tousey's research team

26-27     Design decisions on the first V-2 spectrograph

27     Initial research interests

TAPE 2, SIDE 1

28     Selection of single grating over double dispersion spectrographs

28-40     Design and construction of the spectrograph

28-29     Spectrograph placement in the V-2 nose and tail

29     Original vs. replica grating

29     Rowland design

30     Two entrance windows

30-31     Glass bead vs. entrance slit

31     Baird and Lyman

32     Construction of the spectrograph by Baird

33     Effect of nose or tail placement on design

33     Glass beads

33-34     Testing of a sample spectrograph

34     First launch of spectrograph

34-35     Effect of time constraints

35     Results of sample spectrograph tests

35     Selection of glass beads

35     Activities of other team members

36     Arrival of spectrograph at NRL

37-38     Spectrograph tests

39     Mirror testing

39     Recovery of spectrograph

40     First launch of spectrograph

40     Nose vs. tail placement

40-42     Photoelectric method of recording

42-43     Testing the second spectrograph

42     Bead problems

TAPE 2, SIDE 2

43-44     Consideration of design changes

43-44     Mirrored slits

44     Pointing controls

45-46     Publishing results and presentations

46     Reception of findings

46-47     Solar physics and V-2 proposals by other groups

47     Goldberg

47-49     Exploration of results

48     Chemical equilibrium in the upper atmosphere

48-49     Solar constant

49     Scale corrections

49-50     Employment at Lockheed

50     Relationship with Newell: Krause's departure

50-51     Contacts with other rocket groups: APL

51     Fundamental interests in the V-2 era

51-52     Second V-2 flight

52     Contact with astronomers

53     Effect of a limited supply of V-2s

53-55     Re-design of spectrograph for Aerobee and Viking

55-56     Pointing designs

55-56     Colorado made pointing control

56-58     General evaluation of V-2 era


Jursa, Adolph Simon. Date: December 13, 1983. Interviewer: David H. DeVorkin. Auspices: SAOHP. Length: .75 hr.; 15 pp. Use restriction: Open.

Surveys Jursa's (b. September 17, 1923) career at the Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories as a physicist (1951-59) and supervisory physicist (1959- ). The interview centers on Jursa's research in spectroscopy and his role in the use of V-2s for upper atmosphere and solar research. Jursa also discusses instrumentation, his contact with O'Day and Tanaka, and compares work at AFCRL with that at NRL.

TAPE 1, SIDE 1

1     Educational background

1     Work at White Sands with Clyde Tombaugh optical tracking

1-2     Interest in rocketry - contact with John Albright

2-3     Interest in optics, astronomy

3     Decision to work at White Sands

3-4     Meeting Marcus O'Day and coming to work for AFCRL for Howard Edwards

4-5     Scientific interest of Howard Edwards

5     Use of visible region spectrograph on a V-2 by Edwards and O'Day

6     AFCRl experiment to determine atmospheric composition at various altitudes

6-7     Rocketry at AFCRL - Upper Air Lab

7-8     Contact with O'Day

8     Contact with NRL

8     Transfer to Photochemistry Division under Yoshio Tanaka

8-9     Rocket work with Tanaka - spectroscopic experiments

9     Spread of rocket work to groups in AFCRL other than Upper Air Lab

9-10     Design of spectroscopic experiments - photography of Solar spectra rather than photoelectric techniques

10-11     Tanaka's background

11     Photography of hydrogen Lyman alpha line with normal incidence technique rather than grazing incidence techniques used by Rense

11-12     Publications with Tanaka

12     Experimental work with Tanaka on absorption spectra of the atmosphere

12-13     Instrumentation built by MacPhearson Optical

13     Branch chief - less involvement in experimental work

14-15     Contract monitor for Univ. of Colorado - process of monitoring


Krause, Ernst Henry. Date: August 10, 1982. Interviewer: David H. DeVorkin. Auspices: SAOHP. Length: 4 hrs.; 84 pp. Use restriction: Permission required to quote, cite of reproduce

Examines Krause's (b. May 2, 1913) early career at NRL as a physicist (1938-51) and as Associates Director of Research (1951-54), and briefly, his work at Lockheed (1954-55), at Systems Research Corporation - his own company - (1955-56), and at Ford Aeroneutronics (1956-62). After detailing aspects of his early life and education (University of Wisconsin, PhD, 1938, physics), the interview closely follows Krause's career at NRL, including his involvement with wartime research, Operation Rocketsonde Branch in 1946, spectroscopic research using V-2s cosmic ray research, and his work with the AEC. Central to the interview is Krause's role as a manager of science, and his perceptions of the organizational relationships that evolved to make use of V-2s

TAPE 1, SIDE 1

1-2     Early life and ancestors

1     Father's occupation

1     Early interest in electrical systems

2     Reading

2-4     Secondary education

2     Jobs

2-3     Teachers

4     Decision to go to college

4-6     Undergraduate education of Milwaukee extension

4     Teachers

4-5     Follow students

5     Quality of education

6     Finances

6-7     Graduate education at the University of Wisconsin

6     Physics major

6-7     Julian Schwinger

7     Interest in spectroscopy and nuclear physics

8-70     Career at NRL

8-9     Decision to go to NRL

9-10     Classified radar

10     Work in the Communication Security Section

10-12     Early patents

12     Ship recognition: choice of research problems

13     Interest in optics

14     Hulbert and ionospheric research

15     Pulse control systems

TAPE 1, SIDE 2

15-16     Testing pulse control systems

16     Wartime conditions

16-17     OSRD and NDRC

16-17     Wartime work environment

17-18     Equipment procurement

18     Project organization

18-23     Pulse guidance systems and jammers as an example

19     Research style

20-23     Jammers to deter German WWII guided missiles

22     Interview of German scientists who work on guided missiles

23     Analysis of German wartime technology

23     Effect of German technology in stimulating NRL research

24     Establishment of a guided missile division at NRL

24-25     Technology under consideration

24     Contact with Frank Malina

25-28     Interrogation of German scientists

26-27     Knowledge of V-1 and V-2

27     Wasserfall

27-28     W. von Braun

28     German guidance techniques

TAPE 2, SIDE 1

28     Proposal for guided missile program at NRL

29     Project 8

29-30     Interrogation of captured German scientist on first tour of Europe

30     Contact with operation Paperclip

30-31     Stimulus to use V-2s after the war; Bain; Toftoy

31     Project 8

31-32     Availability of V-2s

33-34     Establishment of NRL Rocketsonde Branch: proposal

35     Initial meetings

35-36     Cooperation with other service branches

37     Military interest in rocket experiments

37     Contents of the guided missile program proposal

37-42     Rocketsonde Branch formation

37-30     Internal NRL people

39-42     People external to NRL: selection of panel members

42     NRL and APL

TAPE 2, SIDE 2

42-43     Work with the AEC

43-44     Guided missile program proposal

44-51     Discussion of miscellaneous documents and photos in Krause's files

49     Decision to do cosmic ray work

49-50     concern over supply of V02: Viking

51-52     Working group interactions at NRL: Tousey spectrograph

52     Checking interference between experiments

52     Assigning launch space

52     Interest of outside astronomers

54     Role of experimenter and other scientists in evaluating data

55-56     APL group and space assignments

55-56     Experimental design

56-57     Pre-flight testing

58     First V-2 spectrograph flight

58     Photoelectric sensors

TAPE 3, SIDE 1

59     Placement of spectrograph in tail

59-60     Contact with NACA

60     Funding

60     Relationship with Army

61     Contact with ARS

62     Telemetry: comparison between NRL and APL

62-63     Use of Aerobees

63-64     Contact with John Wheeler

64     Entry into cosmic Ray physics

65-66     Analysis of NRL's success in cosmic ray physics

66     Naval Research Committee

66-68     Zwicky experiment

68     Experimenters design responsibility

68     Complexity vs. reliability in experimental design

68-69     Contact with Herbert Friedman

69-70     Availability of V-2s: Viking

70     Leaving the Rocket Panel to work for AEC

71     Pacific experiments

TAPE 3, SIDE 2

72     Responsibilities

72-73     Formation of Krause Company

73-74     Nuclear reactor at NRL

74-75     Move to Lockheed

75-76     Initial organization activities

76     X-17

76-79     Research motives

78-79     Role of management

79-80     Allocation of resources for research

81-82     Influence of Sputnik

81-82     Aeronautics launch

83-84     General comments on V-2 era


Krause, Ernst Henry. Date: July 1, 1983. Interviewer: David H. DeVorkin. Auspices: SAOHP. Length: 2 hrs.; 39 pp. Use restrictions: Permission required to quote, cite or reproduce.

Concerns Krause's (b. May 2, 1913) tenure at NRL (1938-54). This interview discusses and identifies a series of news clippings, correspondence, reports, and photographs which document Krause's activities, primarily with respect to V-2 and cosmic ray experimentation. Also discussed briefly are post-war rocket activities at JPL, CALTECH and NRL.

TAPE 1, SIDE 1

1-5     Discussion of news clippings provided by Dr. Krause

1     Recollection of Colonel Turner

2     Clipping from October 29, 1946 flight

3     Clipping of Zwick's work

3     E.U. Condon on security

3-4     Washington Physics Colloquium

4     American philosophical Society meeting agenda - chaired by H. Shapley, and talks by Krause, Compton, Chaffee

5     Telemetry bibliography

5     Expanding NRL

5     NRL organizational structure

5-15     Photographs provided by Dr. Krause and general comments on staff

5     Notes his regret at not saving his reports and memoranda and "reports to the director"

6     Reported to K. Hoyt Taylor - Director of research at NRL

6     Claude Cleaton and IFF work

7     7 March 1947 photographic scenes

7     January 2, 10 photo: electronic distribution panels: photomultiplier tubes

7-8     Electronics and general scene of V-2 being lifted to launch position. Nov. 27, 1946: cosmic ray experiment of November 5, 1946

8     Rocket trajectory: optical design of Tousey spectrograph

9     Unidentified scenes: push plates for parachute ejection: ionization amplifier

9-10     The Neptune. HASR-2 Martin proposal: telemetry units: crash site

10     Drawings of upper sections of V-2 for instrumentation

10     Final instrument and telemetry check-out scenes at White Sands

10-11     Aerial camera with prism

11     Geiger counters: samples of 16m film record

11-12     Ground radar installation

12     Group of Naval officers with Krause

12     V-2 "gone beserk" ionospheric experiment photographs

12-13     Atmospheric experiments: counterweights for V-2 warhead

13     Record of cosmic ray data

13     Miscellaneous pictures

13-14     dynamical tests

14     Solar experiments and recovered nosecone

14-15     Recovered Cameras

15-19     Correspondence

15-16     Krause's resignation from V-2 panel and NACA committee on the upper atmosphere Membership of NACA committee

16     Reaction to Zwicky's complaints about treatment at White Sands

16     JDRB committee materials

16-17     Miscellaneous papers

17     Papers on atmospheric pressures and densities

TAPE 1, SIDE 2

17-18     Additional pictures of check-out procedure

18-19     Searching for Homer Newell letter regarding possibility of early design and    construction of spectrograph by Ball Brothers

19-23     March 1946 JPL meeting: "Aeronautical symposium"

21     Krause's participation

22     Contact with Frank Malina and William Pickering

22     Contrast with 1948 Cosmic Ray Symposium

22-23     RAND meeting

23     Comments on Rand Report

23-24     Discussion of preparedness to exploits V-2 rockets for science

24-26     Rand meeting on space applications

25     Discussion of contemporary applications

26-29     JPL and Willian Pickering

26     Plan for meeting W, Pickering and discussion

26-27     Pickering's managment style

27     Modern situation at JPL

28     Effect of end of War and V-2 on Corporal Program

28     Announcement of panels for guided missile committee of the Committee on New Weapons and Equipment of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, 8 December 1945

28-29     CALTECH and the rocket business

29-33     Richard Porter's interests - Munich trip. Porter Mission. 1945

30     Post-War rush for recruitment at NRL

31     Krause returned to NRL in spring 1945

32     Questions for Pickering

32-33     Project Dynasoar - engine development

TAPE 2, SIDE 1

33     Questions of priority of gimballed engine design

33     Competing military groups

33     Role and attitude of Marcel Schein and others

34     Schein's experiments were inclosed on several flights, but verification is needed

34     Gilbert Perlow came from Chicago - possible student of Schein

34-35     Possible problem of recovery of plate stacks

35     Contact with Nehet and Carl Anderson

35     Technical problems of re-radiation from metal rocket

36-38     Identification of pictures from first interview

37     X-4 air-to-ship missile

37-38     General comments on doing history

37     Philosophy of history

38     Project 8

39     Newell's Beyond the Atmosphere


Neir, Alfred O. Date: March 1, 1984. Interviewer: David DeVorkin. Auspices: SAOHP. Length: 2.75 hrs.; 59 pp. Use restrictions: Open.

Nier (b. May 28, 1911) initially describes his upbringing and undergraduate education in electrical engineering at the University of Minnesota. He next discusses his research in mass spectroscopy under John Tate while a graduate student at the university, and the various papers he published during this period. Nier then reviews his work as a National Research Council Fellow under Bainbridge at Harvard beginning in 1935, including experiments on the isotopic abundance of lead and other elements; and his research as an assistant professor at the University of Minnesota in the immediate prewar and postwar years, including the extensive use of balloons in the latter period. He concludes by describing his subsequent space work sponsored by the National Science Foundation and Naval Research Laboratory and subsequent move to the Viking program at NASA.

TAPE 1, SIDE 1

1-8     Early life and education

1     Interests background and education

2     Interest in mechanical and electrical devices

3     Schooling

3     Studying electrical engineering at University of Minnesota

4     Physics course with Professor Henry Erikson

5-6     Research work for Erikson

7     Technician for Valasek

8     Teaching assistantship in electrical engineering after graduation

9-23     Graduate work at University of Minnesota (Ph.D) 1936

9     John Tate's research interests

10     Bleakney and Condon; course with Tate

11     Finding a research topic: plasma oscillations

12-15     Electron impact: building a mass Spectrometer

13     Specific problems with effectiveness of the motor generator

14     How a magnetron works

14     Building an amplifier

14     Effect of having the highest resolution mass spectrometer in existence (1934)

TAPE 1, SIDE 2

15     First research using this spectrometer

16     Spectrum of the hydrocarbon benzene

17-18     Tate's character in science

19     Working on isotope abundance with argon

20     First published papers

21     Working on the question of which isotope is responsible for the radioactivity of potassium

22     Publishing the resulting paper in "Physical Review"

23     Conflict with Heith Brewer

24-37     NRC Fellow at Harvard 1934-38

25-27     Choosing between Harvard and Princeton; arguments of Bainbridge and Bleakney

28     Hunt and Hickman; designing a regulated power supply for controlling a big generator

29     Harvard summer school on Astronomy

30     G. Baxter and A. Lane

31     Working on the relative isotopic abundance of lead; geochronology

TAPE 2, SIDE 1

31     Explanatory diagram of the relative isotopic abundance of lead

32     Atomic weight versus isotopic composition

33     This technique as a means of dating

34     The resulting paper; encouragement by Bainbridge

35     The Tricentenary meetings

36     Uranium work

37     Harvard public relations arrangement; determining the half life of uranium 235

38-40     Assistant and Associate Professorship at University of Minnesota (1938-43)

38     Working with John Nardine on isotope; separation and thermo diffusion

38     Fermi's and Dunning's encouragement

39     Separating the first uranium 235 and the resulting papers

40     Instrumentation work for Kelex Corporation during the war (1943-1945)

41-46     Postwar period; balloon versus rocket research University of Minnesota

41     Piccard and Tate's role at OSRD

42     Idea of doing cosmic ray work; using the General Mills facility

43     Choosing Oppenheimer, Lofgren, and Ney for this project

44     Why balloon experiments were not interested in doing rocket research, and vice versa

45-46     Funding problems and competition between these two groups

TAPE 2, SIDE 2

47-59     Getting into space activities; professor University of Minnesota (1946- )

47     Meteor sampling

48     Paper on depth effect

49     Funding for spectroscopy and first rocket flights

50     Papers

50     Funding by NRL; NASA's interests

51     Funding for laboratory development (a prerequisite for doing rocketry)

52     Conflict of interests with Webb at NASA

53     Importance of having rocket experience before doing satellite work

54     Contact with other people putting instruments on Atmospheric Explorer; AFCRL and GGL

54     Neir's personal motivation in summary

55     Instrumentation; different kinds of research

56     Viking project; staff especially Jerry Soffen

57     Lander instrumentation

58-59     Keeping old correspondence


Neugebauer, Gerry. Date: August 12, 1982. Interviewer: David H. DeVorkin. Auspices: SAOHP. Length: 2.5 hrs.; 53 pp. Use restriction: Open.

After a background discussion of Neugebauer's (b. September 3, 1932) early life and education (California Institute of Technology, PhD, 1960, physics), the interview concentrates on his career with the US Army stationed at JPL (1960-2), and at CALTECH as assistant and associate professor (1962-70) and professor of physics (1970- ). The interview examines his contributions to infrared astronomy, as well as his related work in spectroscopy, instrumentation, and radiometry. Specific projects discussed are the infrared survey, Mariner B and Mariners II and IV, and CALTECH's 62-inch infrared survey telescope.

TAPE 1, SIDE 1

1-3     Early life and ancestors

1     Family background

1-2     Emigration from Denmark

2-3     Early interest

3-5     Secondary education

3     Quality of education

3-4     Interests

4     Contact with father's work

5     Teachers

5     Choice of college

6-12     Undergraduate education at Cornell

6     Teachers

6     Fellow students

7     ROTC

7-8     Oppenheimer case

8-9     Astronomy department

9     Hans Bethe

9     Senior thesis

9-10     Computer programming

10     Evaluation of education

10-11     Choice of graduate school

11-12     Summer employment

12-20     Graduate education at the California Institute of Technology

12-14     Cloud chamber work

14-15     High energy physics and Cosmic rays

15-16     Astronomers interests

16-17     Thesis

17-18     Anticipating and fulfilling military commitment

TAPE 1, SIDE 2

18     Robert Bacher

18-19     Marsha Neugebauer

19-20     Assignment to JPL

20-31     Military career at JPL

20-21     Mariner B

21     Work atmosphere at JPL

21-23     Interest in infrared presence for nuclear physics

23-24     Nature of doing science at JPL

24-25     Initial infrared work

25     Reading

25     Mariner II detectors

26     Design of radiometer

26     Coordination with other scientists

26-27     Performance of radiometer

27-28     Effects of failure or mapping mission: Brad Smith

28     General scientific interests at JPL

28-29     Mariner IV and Bob Leighton

28-29     Interaction of various types of workers at JPL

30     Technology and science at JPL

30-31     Plans after JPL

31-53     Career at California Institute of Technology

31-32     Bob Leighton and infrared astronomy

32-33     General comments on scientific organization - astronomy vs. physics

33-34     Guido Munch

34     Experience with infrared detectors

TAPE 2, SIDE 1

34-35     Origins of the 62-inch project

35-36     Technical problems: chopping

36-37     Proposal to NASA for funding 62-inch

37-38     Scientific problems

38-39     NML Cygnus

39     Other proposals to NASA for 62-inch

40-41     Construction of the 62-inch

41     Lead sulphide detectors

41-42     Observations and data collections - 8 channel strip chart recorder

42-43     Initial data collection

43-44     Galactic center

44     Calibration system

44-45     2.2 micron window

45     Rejection of 10 micron window

45-46     Exploiting infrared technique; scientific questions raised by survey

46-47     Ebert-Fastie spectrometer

47     Orion Nebula

47-48     Searching for infrared stars: protostars

48-50     Durability of the results of the survey

50     Processing data

TAPE 2, SIDE 2

51     Relationships with other sky surveys: Air Force Survey

51     IRAS

51-52     AFGL infrared interest

52-53     General consideration of the movement of scientists into new fields such as infrared astronomy


Neupert, Werner.Martin. Date: July 9, 1981. Interviewer: David H. DeVorkin. Auspices: SAOHP. Length: 2.5 hrs.; 47 pp. Use restriction: Public.

Details the development of Neupert's (b. December 19, 1931) interest in astronomy and instrumentation through the course of his education (Cornell University, PhD, 1960, physics), and, more extensively, in his professional career at Goddard (1960- ) where his principal fields of research are solar physics and spectroscopy. The discussion of his Goddard work focuses on his contribution to the OSO series, the design and construction of the spectrometer for OSO-1, and the design and testing of space-borne instrumentation.

TAPE 1, SIDE 1

1     Early life and ancestors

1     Father's occupation

2-3     Early interests and reading

3-7     High school education and interests

3-4     Technical projects

4     Astronomy club

5     Teachers

5-6     Influences and decision to go to college

6-7     Other interests

7     Mrs. Robert Goddard lectures

7-12     Undergraduate education at Worcester Polytechnic Institute

8     Physics major

8-9     Contact with astronomy

8-10     Interest in instrument construction

9     Building telescopes

9     Building a spectrograph

10     Shop work at Worcester

10     Summer employment

11     Evaluation of education at Worcester

11     Spectrographs at Worcester

11     Contact with Harvard College Observatory

12     Choosing a graduate school

12-16     Graduate education at Cornell

12     Physics specialty

13     Thesis advisor

13-14     Summer work at GE

14     Thesis topic and research

TAPE 1, SIDE 2

15     University of California, Santa Barbara

16     Astronomy at Cornell

16-19     Teaching at the University of California, Santa Barbara

17     Ultraviolet physics lab

17-18     Contact with Goddard Space Center

18-19     Teaching

19-47     Career at Goddard

19-20     Solar physics as applied physics

21     Discussion of photographs of the sun

22     Decision to come to Goddard

23-24     Readings in solar physics

25     Early interests at Goddard

25     Spectral identification

26     First assignment-work on the OSO-1 soft X-ray spectrometer

26-27     Responsibilities

27     Design of the spectrometer

27     Gratings

28     Spectral range of OSO-1 spectrometer

TAPE 2, SIDE 1

28     Coordination with other experimenters

29     Ambience at Goddard

30     Building of spectrometer by Naval gun Factory

30-31     Radiation detectors

31-32     Sounding rocket flights

32-33     Telemetry

33     Interpreting the binary data

33-34     Evaluation of OSA 1 experiment

34-35     Contact with other scientists

35     Relationship with NRL

35-36     John Lindsay

37-39     Testing of instruments

37-38     Vibration requirements

38-39     Developing vibration

39     Early testing procedures

39-40     Contemporary structures on testing procedures

40-41     Grazing incidence mirrors

41     Planning for OSO-2, 3, etc. while working on OSO-1

41-42     Lindsay and the testing of instruments

42     Use of the Woltjier Type II Telescope

TAPE 2, SIDE 2

43     General assessment of OSO-1

43     Availability and use of OSO data

44     Designing the form of and analyzing data

45     OSO projects beyond OSO-1

46-47     AOSO


Newburn, Ray Leon. Date: March 31, 1983. Interviewer: Joseph Tatarewicz. Auspices: SAOHP. Length: 3.5 hrs.; 75 pp. Use restriction: Public.

Recounts Newburn's (b. January 9, 1933) early life and education before concentrating on his extended career at JPL as a lunar and planetary scientist (1956- ). The interview attempts to trace the origins and evolution of planetary astronomy at JPL. Topics discussed include Newburn's role as the only astronomer in the early engineering environment of JPL, the effect of the establishment of NASA in 1958 on planetary astronomy, the influence of planetary scientists such as Kuiper and Urey, and his perceptions of administrative conflicts and scientific progress at JPL, CALTECH and NASA.

TAPE 1, SIDE 1

1-14     Early life and training

2     4th Grade Sunday Supplement article on planets in newspaper; read David O. Woodbury's The Glass Giant of Palomar

6     Interviewed Clarence Clemenshaw at Griffith Observatory

9     1953 met Seth Nicholson

10     Observing at Mt. Wilson

TAPE 1, SIDE 2

15-39     JPL job

15     Joins JPL

17     Hibbs' 'Tiger Team' with Marcia Neugebauer, fall 1958; Van Allen satellite on shelf

18     RTV; May 58 Hibbs Tiger Team

20     Went to Megrheblian re: space and planetary role for JPL Report 30-1

23     Harold Urey visit re: 30-1 late fall 1958

25     Space Sciences Division after 30-1

28     James Edison - Report 33-37

TAPE 2, SIDE 1

30     Interviews E. Pettit

30     Military interest in thermocouple

32     30-1 sent to astronomers for reviews

32     Angry Urey letter

34     Kuiper - Sagan

34     Mariner 2

35     Kuiper - Urey

37     30-1 Survey

38     Negative reaction from astronomers came when sought observing time

39     Saturn satellite proposal to Greenstein

39-50     Optical Astronomy Group at JPL

39     Spinrad, Schorn, Younkin

40     Spinrad tries to get time on Mt. Wilson 60-inch/Yerkes 82-inch for Venus; Working on atmosphere pressure Discouraged

41     Guido Munch gets interested

41     Lew Kaplan - Munch agrees to take plates

TAPE 2, SIDE 2

43     Munch criticized - consult with lab; General criticism

44     Hynek Committee

44     Reception of Reports 30-1 and 33-37 Photometric standards problems; Photographic photometry; Reception of 33-37 at NASA HQ

46     NSF jurisdiction; Newburn's evaluation of importance of synoptic observations

48     Use of amateurs

49     Lowell - Planetary Patrol

50     Lead sulphide detectors

50-56     Developing facilities for ground based planetary astronomy (GBPA)

51     Harlan Smith to Texas; Need for scope at JPL

51     Astronomy Subcommittee meeting at ARC Fall '61

52     Agreement between NASA and NSF on ground-based astronomy funding late 62, early 63

53     Hawaii/CALTECH 84-inch

54     Ron Schorn

56-68     Developing Table Mountain

TAPE 3, SIDE 1

58     Table Mountain survey

59     C. F. Capen lived on Table Mountain 16-inch

59     James Gunn - Coude spectrograph

60     24-inch with Coude; idea to Brunk

60     Boller and Chivens; Problems, design

61     Getting around Congress

62     Use of Table Mt.; Connes-Spectrograph developed, tested at Table Mt. and Kitt Peak

62     Reinhart Beer; Dollfus-Connes work Lew Kaplan

63     Bob Norton took over Table Mountain observatory; Ray Newburn gets more into modeling - Gulkis, Sam Megrheblian

63     Aerospace industry demand; only a few planetary astronomers

64     Bob Norton directs Table Mountain; Wampler Scanner-image dissector scanner; sodium cloud around Io

64     Voyager-Mars as stimulus and demonstrating usefulness of ground-based planetary astronomy

65     Evaluation of usefulness of ground-based planetary astronomy

67     Comets

68-75     Military funding

68     Detectors, etc.

69     Cloudcroft, Stuhlinger involved in ground-based planetary astronomy ambitions; AFCRL Salisbury talking about 84-inch

69     Table Mountain 48-inch, 60-inch, 84-inch; University of Washington proposals

70     Meetings at Pickering's level; SB Woods Hole Summer Study, 1965

71     JPL-CALTECH 84-inch/TX 107-inch

72     Meetings with Newell, Bowen, et al

73     Reminiscences of Bowen At Mt. Wilson

75     Bonestell, Chesley


*Newkirk, Gordon Allen. Date: June 1, 1983. Interviewer: David H. DeVorkin. Auspices: SAOHP. Length: 4 hrs.; 68 pp. Use restriction: Permission required to quote, cite or reproduce.

Follows Newkirk's (b. June 12, 1928) interest in astronomy and spectrographs through his early life and education at Harvard and the University of Michigan (PhD, 1953, Astrophysics), and, in more detail, in his long career at High Altitude Observatory (1955- ). The interview relates his recollections of the attitudes of Menzel and Whipple to rocket astronomy, as well as his research in infrared spectroscopy, photometry and balloon astronomy. Newkirk elucidates his activities at HAO, his contact with Tousey, and his experiences with Coronascope I and II.

TAPE 1, SIDE 1

1     Family origins

1-2     Father's occupation

2     Early influences; proximity to Edison Laboratories

3     Interest in astronomy

3     Making own telescope

4-5     Making own spectrograph, spectroheliograph, device to measure brightness of variable stars

6-7     Planning for college; correspondence to Bart Bok

7-9     Westinghouse Science Talent Search; making an expansion cloud chamber

10     Applying to Harvard

10-18     Undergraduate career at Harvard

10-11     Contacts with professors

11-12     Observing experience at Agassiz Station

12-13     Course work

TAPE 1, SIDE 2

13     Recollections of Menzel's and Whipple's reactions to rocket astronomy

13-14     Menzel and Lyman alpha

14     R. N. Thomas

14-15     HAO

15     Interests; solar work

15     Summer fellowship at Agassiz Station, first year

16     Summer fellowship at Agassiz Station, second year; building a guider for a photospheric camera

16     Menzel and the Lyot coronagraph

16-17     Its use at Climax Station

17     Own interest in rocket astronomy

17-18     Whipple - interest in rocket astronomy

18     Decision to go to University of Michigan for graduate work

18-22     Graduate career at Michigan

19     Professors

19-20     Solar space astronomy and V-2s

19-20     Leo Goldberg; infrared spectroscopy

20-21     Thesis work in the infrared

21-22     Work at Sacramento Peak and induction into the Army

22-34     Signal Corps

23     Assignment to Signal Corps Engineering Labs

23-24     Duties

TAPE 2, SIDE 1

25     Break-up of first marriage

25-26     Research atmosphere at Labs

26-27     Coronagraph work; scattering properties of the atmosphere

27-29     Development of the sky photometer; Jack Evans

29-31     Development of the Lyot coronagraph and the reduction of scattered light

32-33     Jack Evans' sky photometer, visual and photographic

33-34     Using Evans' photographic photometer to measure light scattering

34     Decision to go to HAO

34-68     HAO

34-35     Work with Wierick

35-36     Interest in balloon astronomy; Malcolm Ross, Harold Glaser and ONR

36     Measuring sky brightness as a function of altitude with sky photometer

36-37     Obtaining funds for balloon flight

TAPE 2, SIDE 2

37     Manned vs. unmanned balloons; Schwarzschild and Stratoscope

37-38     Results of first flight at the Strato Bowl

38-39     The offer of Schwarzschild's gondola

39     Preparations for Schwarzschild's last flight

40     Modifications of the sky photometer

40     Pointing controls on the gondola

40     Object of balloon flight; sky brightness rather than coronal problems

41     Funding: ONR and NASA

42     27th annual meeting of IAS

43     Ground control of balloon; problems with telemetry

43-44     First flight in Minneapolis of Coronascope I

44     Coronascope I - second and third flights

44-45     Results of second and third flights

45-46     Improving the sky photometer; lens material and diffracted light from occulting disk

46-47     Toothed wheel occulting disk; Tousey

47     Competition with Tousey

47     Coronascope II

47-48     Guiding controls

48     Early talks of AOSO

TAPE 3, SIDE 1

48     Improvement of scattered light levels with multiple disks

49     AOSO proposal and coinciding first flight of Coronascope II

49-51     Tousey's coronagraph work

51-52     Funding for Coronascope II Comments on films of Coronascope I and II

52-55     Coronascope I - failed first flight

55-60     Coronascope I - successful second and third flights

60-64     Coronascope II - first flights

64     Light scattering problems

65-66     Toothed wheel vs. multiple disk occulting

66-68     Coronascope II - second and third flights


Ney, Edward P. Date: February 29, 1984. Interviewer: David H. DeVorkin. Auspices: SAOHP. Length: 1.5 hrs.; 26 pp. Use restriction: Open.

After discussing his upbringing, undergraduate edcuation in physics at the University of Minnesota, and postgraduate education and work at the University of Virginia during World War II, Ney describes returning to Minnesota in 1946 and his contributions in the cloud chambers field for the balloon research then being conducted with Jean Piccard and others. He then reviews relations with the Rochester group conducting similar experiments, reasons for using balloons instead of rockets, involvement in the Orbiting Satellite Observatory program, and training the Mercury and Gemini astronauts. Ney concludes by discussing his move to the area of infrared astronomy, relations with infrared astronomers, work in Australia in 1962 with Brown and Twiss, and overall thoughts of the military's balloon program in the early 1950s.

TAPE 1, SIDE 1

1-3     Early background and education

1     Family and early interests

2     Courses and staff at the University of Minnesota (Tate, Bardeen, Williams, Nier)

3     Al Nier and separating uranium 235

3     University of Virginia 1946

4-12     University of Minnesota (1947- )

4     Balloon experiments with Lofgren and Oppenheimer

4     Relations with General Mills

5     Jean Piccard's balloon-cluster idea

6     Cloud chamber and photographic emulsion work

7     Primary particles and heavy nuclei; the 1948 flight

7     First high altitude emulsions

8     Finding a nuclear interaction (Phyllis Frier)

9     Individual responsibilities

9     Merging of the Rochester and Minnesota groups

10     Interest in phenomenologic cosmic rays and/or nuclear physics at the cosmic ray meetings

10     Bevatron

11     Relationship with the NRL cosmic ray group and with Van Allen

12     Gil Perlow; Jack Winckler as a replacement for Lofgren

13-15     Rocket Era

13     Measuring solar injected cosmic rays

13     V-2 cosmic ray work prior to IGY

14     Competition between rocket people and balloon people; Van Allen and Herb Friedman

TAPE 1, SIDE 2

14-15     Opportunities within rocket experimentation

15-26     Involvement on OSO projects

16     Working with the early astronauts

17     Studying zodiacal light

17-18     The "Ney Ball"

19     Keeping correspondence

20     Transition to infrared work

21     Ney's philosophy of doing science

22     Martin Harwit

22     Zodiacal light work in Australia

23     Ney as a "technical problem solver"

23-24     The Hanbury-Brown Twiss effect

25     William Luyten

25-26     NCAR; Jack Winckler and the Minnesota Balloon Project

26     Looking at some documents


SAOHP, part 1, A-F || SAOHP, part 2, G-N || SAOHP, part 3, O-S || SAOHP, part 4, T-Z


Rev. 10/15/95