Harvard–Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
The Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian (CfA), previously known as the Harvard–Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, is an astrophysics research institute jointly operated by the Harvard College Observatory and Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. Founded in 1973 and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, the CfA leads a broad program of research in astronomy, astrophysics, Earth and space sciences, as well as science education. The CfA either leads or participates in the development and operations of more than fifteen ground- and space-based astronomical research observatories across the electromagnetic spectrum, including the forthcoming Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) and the Chandra X-ray Observatory, one of NASA's Great Observatories.
"CfA" redirects here. For the fast food chain, see Chick-fil-A. For other uses, see CFA.Abbreviation
CfA
1973
Research in astronomy, astrophysics, Earth, and space sciences
60 Garden Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
850+
Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
Hosting more than 850 scientists, engineers, and support staff, the CfA is among the largest astronomical research institutes in the world.[1] Its projects have included Nobel Prize-winning advances in cosmology and high energy astrophysics, the discovery of many exoplanets, and the first image of a black hole. The CfA also serves a major role in the global astrophysics research community: the CfA's Astrophysics Data System (ADS), for example, has been universally adopted[2] as the world's online database of astronomy and physics papers. Known for most of its history as the "Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics", the CfA rebranded in 2018 to its current name in an effort to reflect its unique status as a joint collaboration between Harvard University and the Smithsonian Institution. The CfA's current director (since 2022) is Lisa Kewley, who succeeds Charles R. Alcock (Director from 2004 to 2022), Irwin I. Shapiro (Director from 1982 to 2004) and George B. Field (Director from 1973 to 1982).