Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory This observatory was established in March 1890 and was one of the first to practice astrophysics. It was housed in buildings in the South Yard of the Smithsonian Institution Building's grounds. Early research conducted on the site focused on solar radiation. In the 1950s, the <a href="http://mallhistory.org/items/show/52">Smithsonian Institution</a> created a partnership with Harvard University and the Astrophysical Observatory headquarters moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts. Smithsonian Institution Archives. <a href="http://siris-sihistory.si.edu/ipac20/ipac.jsp?&amp;profile=all&amp;source=~!sichronology&amp;uri=full=3100001~!10251~!0#focus">View original</a>. 1899 <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=38&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=1890-1919">1890-1919</a>