Description of the Collection
American Institute of Physics. Center for History of Physics.
College Park, MD 20740
American Physical Society, Astrophysics Division, Records of the Secretary/Treasurer, 1970-1992
English.
2 linear feet (4 boxes)
AR 1994-355
American Physical Society. Astrophysics Division.
This sub-unit of the American Physical Society was founded in 1970 as the Division of Cosmic Physics. Its objective was the advancement of understanding of the various cosmic radiations and their astrophysical implications. Includes minutes, financial statements, memoranda, constitution and by-laws; also materials on awards, elections, membership, programs, and committees.
See below for information on access and restrictions.
Selected Search Terms
These papers have been indexed in the International Catalog of Sources for History of Physics and Allied Sciences (ICOS) using the following terms. Those seeking related materials should search under these terms.
American Physical Society. Astrophysics Division.
Astrophysics.
Physics — Societies, etc.
Bylaws.
Minutes.
History of the American Physical Society, Astrophysics Division, Office of the Secretary/Treasurer.
This sub-unit of the American Physical Society was founded in 1970 as the Division of Cosmic Physics. Its objective was the advancement of understanding of the various cosmic radiations and their astrophysical implications.
In 1983 the division changed its name to the Astrophysics Division, and its objective became the advancement and diffusion of the knowledge of astrophysics and its relationship to the understanding of fundamental physical processes.
Membership is open to any member of the American Physical Society by application and payment of dues.
Scope and Contents of Collection
Collection contains minutes of Executive Committee, program committee and fellowship committee; financial statements; memoranda; constitution and by-laws; materials on elections, awards, and membership. These records date from the beginning of the division in1970 through 1992.
Arrangement/Organization of Collection
The records from 1970-1988 were received in nine 3-ring binders. There were three binders holding the organizational records, minutes, membership lists, and election correspondence; two contained the financial reports and records; one held the proposals and correspondence on the International Cosmic Ray Conference; and three binders held the general correspondence arranged in chronological order. This arrangement was maintained, but the materials were removed from the binders and placed in acid-free folders and archival document cases for preservation. Duplicate copies and all staples, clips, and rubberbands were removed.
To facilitate access, the files were ordered into three Series: I. Organizational Records, II. Financial Records, and III. General Correspondence. The researcher should search the General Correspondence files for pieces of information missing from other files, e.g., the 1983 executive committee minutes.
Access to Collection
Permission of an officer of the Astrophysics Division required for access to records less than 25 years old.
Restrictions on Use of Collection
Use of primary source material in the Niels Bohr Library requires prior approval through an Application for Access, which includes a statement of research purpose and the names and addresses of two scholars as references. Access applications can be obtained by contacting the Library (telephone 301-209-3177; or e-mail nbl@aip.org). The application can also be printed from our website.
Provenance and Acquisition Information
The records from 1970-1988 were received in 1994 from Frank C. Jones, a former Secretary/Treasurer. The records from 1989-1992 were received from Irene Engle, the then current Secretary/Treasurer in 1994.
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Sandra Johnson, September 1995.
The records from 1989-1992 were received in manila file folders with similar headings, but without continuous membership lists or a general correspondence file after 1987. These records were integrated with the earlier files, and also placed in acid-free folders and rehoused in document cases for preservation.
Preferred Citation of Collection
Cite as: [Folder title, date; Folder number, Box number], American Physical Society, Astrophysics Division, Records of the Secretary/Treasurer, 1970-1992. American Institute of Physics, Niels Bohr Library, College Park, MD, 20740 USA.
Other Related Materials
The AIP Niels Bohr Library has a wide variety of materials relating to the American Physical Society. Of primary importance is the Records of the American Physical Society, 1899-1987. Also see the Joint symposium of the Division of Astrophysics and the Forum for History of Physics (sound recording), 1987 April 21 & 22.
Container List
Series I. Organizational Records, 1970-1992
Boxes 1-2
Box 1
Folder 1
Constitution and Bylaws
Box 1
Folder 2
Membership List, 1970-71
Box 1
Folder 3
Membership List, 1972-73
Box 1
Folder 4
Membership List, 1974-75
Box 1
Folder 5
Membership List, 1976-77
Box 1
Folder 6
Membership List, 1978-79
Box 1
Folder 7
Membership List, 1980
Box 1
Folder 8
Membership List, 1981
Box 1
Folder 9
Membership List, 1983
Box 1
Folder 10
Membership List, 1984
Box 1
Folder 11
Membership Data, 1970-92
Box 1
Folder 12
List of Officers, 1971-84
Box 1
Folder 13
Minutes, 1970-82
Box 1
Folder 14
Executive Committee, 1984
Box 1
Folder 15
Executive Committee, 1985
Box 1
Folder 16
Executive Committee, 1986
Box 1
Folder 17
Executive Committee, 1987
Box 1
Folder 18
Executive Committee, 1988
Box 1
Folder 19
Executive Committee, 1989
Box 1
Folder 20
Executive Committee, 1990
Box 1
Folder 21
Executive Committee, 1991
Box 1
Folder 22
Executive Committee, 1992
Box 2
Folder 1
Election Correspondence, 1970-73
Box 2
Folder 2
Election Correspondence, 1974-76
Box 2
Folder 3
Election Correspondence, 1977-79
Box 2
Folder 4
Election Correspondence, 1980-81
Box 2
Folder 5
Election Correspondence, 1982
Box 2
Folder 6
Election Correspondence, 1983
Box 2
Folder 7
Election Correspondence, 1984
Box 2
Folder 8
Election Correspondence, 1985-87
Box 2
Folder 9
Election Correspondence, 1988
Box 2
Folder 10
Election Correspondence, 1989
Box 2
Folder 11
Election Correspondence, 1991
Box 2
Folder 12
Election Correspondence, 1992
Box 2
Folder 13
Fellowship Committee, 1970-87
Box 2
Folder 14
Program Committee, 1989
Box 2
Folder 15
Program Committee, 1990
Box 2
Folder 16
Program Committee, 1992
Series II. Financial Records, 1973-1992
Box 3
Box 3
Folder 1
Reports and Correspondence, 1973-74
Box 3
Folder 2
Reports and Correspondence, 1975-76
Box 3
Folder 3
Reports and Correspondence, 1977-78
Box 3
Folder 4
Reports and Correspondence, 1979
Box 3
Folder 5
Reports and Correspondence, 1980
Box 3
Folder 6
Reports and Correspondence, 1981
Box 3
Folder 7
Reports and Correspondence, 1982
Box 3
Folder 8
Reports and Correspondence, 1983
Box 3
Folder 9
Reports and Correspondence, 1984
Box 3
Folder 10
Reports and Correspondence, 1985-86
Box 3
Folder 11
Reports and Correspondence, 1987-88
Box 3
Folder 12
Reports and Correspondence, 1989-92
Box 3
Folder 13
Bank Statements 1980-84
Series III. General Correspondence, 1970-1987
Boxes 3-4
Box 3
Folder 14
Proposal to Smithsonian Institution for Travel to International Cosmic Ray Conference, 1983-83
Box 3
Folder 15
Proposal to National Science Foundation for Travel to International Cosmic Ray Conference, 1982-83
Box 3
Folder 16
International Cosmic Ray Conference Correspondence, 1982-83
Box 3
Folder 17
International Cosmic Ray Conference Materials, 1983
Box 4
Folder 1
Correspondence, 1970-71
Box 4
Folder 2
Correspondence, 1972
Box 4
Folder 3
Correspondence, 1973
Box 4
Folder 4
Correspondence, 1974-75
Box 4
Folder 5
Correspondence, 1976-77
Box 4
Folder 6
Correspondence, 1978
Box 4
Folder 7
Correspondence, 1979
Box 4
Folder 8
Correspondence, Jan. - June 1980
Box 4
Folder 9
Correspondence, July - Dec. 1980
Box 4
Folder 10
Correspondence, Jan. - March 1981
Box 4
Folder 11
Correspondence, Apr. - Aug. 1981
Box 4
Folder 12
Correspondence, Sept. - Dec. 1981
Box 4
Folder 13
Correspondence, Jan. - Mar. 1982
Box 4
Folder 14
Correspondence, Apr. - Aug. 1982
Box 4
Folder 15
Correspondence, Sept. - Dec. 1982
Box 4
Folder 16
Correspondence, Jan. - Mar. 1983
Box 4
Folder 17
Correspondence, Apr. 1983
Box 4
Folder 18
Correspondence, May 1983
Box 4
Folder 19
Correspondence, June - Aug. 1983
Box 4
Folder 20
Correspondence, Sept. - Dec. 1983
Box 4
Folder 21
Correspondence, Jan. 1984
Box 4
Folder 22
Correspondence, Feb. 1984
Box 4
Folder 23
Correspondence, Mar. - Apr. 1984
Box 4
Folder 24
Correspondence, May - Aug. 1984
Box 4
Folder 25
Correspondence, Sept. - Dec. 1984
Box 4
Folder 26
Correspondence, 1985
Box 4
Folder 27
Correspondence, 1986-87