Harvard College Observatory records related to the solar eclipse of 1932
Overview
A total solar eclipse occurred on August 31, 1932 and was visible in its totality across parts of Canada and New England. The Harvard College Observatory records related to the solar eclipse of 1932 include correspondence, clippings, drawings, notes, and photographs of the eclipse taken by amateur astronomers.
Dates
- Creation: 1931-1933 and [undated]
Creator
- Harvard College Observatory (Organization)
Researcher Access
The Harvard College Observatory records related to the solar eclipse of 1932 are open for research.
Extent
0.52 cubic feet (1 document box, 1 half-document box)89 photographs
The Harvard College Observatory records related to the solar eclipse of 1932 include correspondence, photographs, notes, clippings, and drawings.
The bulk of the records consist of letters discussing the eclipse. Correspondents include amateur astronomers and private citizens, journalists, academics, and other observatories, including the United States Naval Observatory. There are also letters from the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary discussing "eclipse blindness." These letters also contain several drawings and photographs of the eclipse taken by amateur astronomers, many from Massachusetts.
There are notes, including calculations and lists of Observatory personnel and volunteers. Several of the notes are written between Harvard College Observatory astronomers Willard J. Fisher, Fred Whipple, and Harlow Shapley.
Additionally, there is an unidentified sketch of a piece of astronomical equipment and a watercolor drawing of the moon.
Historical note on the solar eclipse of 1932
A total solar eclipse occurred on August 31, 1932. It was visible in its totality across parts of Canada, including Quebec, as well as portions of Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged in four series:
- Clippings, 1932 and [undated]
- Correspondence and photographs, 1932-1933 and [undated]
- Drawings, 1932
- Notes and reports, 1931-1932 and [undated]
Processing Information
This finding aid was created by Olivia Mandica-Hart in February 2022. Processing included physical re-housing and the creation of this finding aid. Titles were transcribed from the original documents; titles enclosed in brackets were devised by the archivist. Series titles were devised by the archivist.
Creator
- Harvard College Observatory (Organization)
- Title
- Harvard College Observatory. Harvard College Observatory records related to the solar eclipse of 1932, 1931-1933 and [undated] : an inventory
- Status
- completed
- Author
- Harvard University Archives
- Date
- February 7, 2022
- Description rules
- dacs
- Language of description
- eng
- EAD ID
- hua10022
Repository Details
Part of the Harvard University Archives Repository
Holding nearly four centuries of materials, the Harvard University Archives is the principal repository for the institutional records of Harvard University and the personal archives of Harvard faculty, as well as collections related to students, alumni, Harvard-affiliates and other associated topics. The collections document the intellectual, cultural, administrative and social life of Harvard and the influence of the University as it emerged across the globe.
Pusey Library
Harvard Yard
Cambridge MA 02138 USA
(617) 495-2461
archives_reference@harvard.edu