Nov 24 1968

From The Space Library

Cornell Univ. scientists reported pulsar lying in or near Crab Nebula with fastest pulse rate of pulsars discovered thus far was slowing pulse tempo at rate of one part in 2,000 a year. Discovery was made with 1,000-ft-dia antenna at Arecibo (Puerto Rico) Observa­tory. Walter Sullivan in New York Times said discovery encouraged view that astronomers "are penetrating an entire new realm of physics . . . physics of superdense matter (in the form of so-called neutron stars), magnetic fields far beyond anything observable in the labora­tory and superpowerful gravity." (NYT, 11/25/68, 53)

New York Times article said at least eight nations, including U.S. and U.S.S.R., were building astronomical observatories in Chile, which had been termed ideal site because of its latitude, near 30° South. Associa­tion of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc. (AURA), depend­ency of NSF, had invested $19 million thus far in observatory of Cerro Tololo. Other groups were European Southern Observatory (ESO, con­sortium of West Germany, France, Holland, Belgium, Sweden, and Denmark) and Soviet Astronomical Mission. A 36-in-telescope at U.S. observatory already had photographed powerful ray-emitting star whose existence previously had been only suspected. (NYT, 11/24/68, 27)

USAF launched experimental Advanced Ballistic Reentry System (ABRES) vehicle from Vandenberg AFB. (AP, W Post, 11/25/68, 9)

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