Approved For Release 2000/08/11 : CIA-RDP96-00792ROO0700020001-8
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        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 00792RP 0, 0.0.0Z901 -8
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