Title: The Beginnings of the Mauna Kea Observatory



Jim Harwood
IfA (emeritus)


Abstract:

I will present an illustrated retrospective of the 1965-66 Mauna
Kea Site Survey for the 88" observatory, 1970's photos of the
88" telescope, the IRTF at its startup, and various people of
the times, some of whom you may actually recognize.





==============
About Jim:

I was hired by John Jefferies as the first employee of the new NASA
project in early July, 1965, and charged with organizing and running the
day to day operations of the Site Survey. My title on the UH payroll was
"Junior Astrophysicist" - the APT system had not yet been invented. Prior
to joining the Astrophysics Division of the Hawaii Institute of
Geophysics, which was the predecessor of the IfA, I had received a B.A. in
physics from Columbia University and had spent 5 years on a missile
reentry research ship doing a classified project for the Advanced Research
Projects Agency studying with passive optical and infrared instrumentation
the characteristics of ballistic missile reentry components, for early
identification of warheads. I worked for Barnes Engineering Co. of
Stanford, Connecticut, which was the prime contractor.

At the end of the Mauna Kea Site Survey I became involved in astronomical
instrumentation primarily with Dr. William Sinton, recruited as astronomer
in charge of the 88" observatory. Bill introduced me to computer-assisted
data analysis and placed me in charge of the control computer development
for the 88" telescope. I also spent some time working with instrument
control computers at Mees Observatory, but with the arrival of the IRTF
remained dedicated to MKO computer systems.
====================================