This project was supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian Made accessible through a grant from the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation and Photo Friends
Operation Moonwatch, also known as Project Moonwatch or simply Moonwatch, was an amateur science program initiated by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) in 1956. The goal was to enlist the aid of amateur astronomers who would help professional scientists spot the first artificial satellites in space. Average citizens served on Moonwatch teams around the globe. Until professionally manned optical tracking stations came on-line in 1958, this network of amateur scientists played a critical role in providing crucial information regarding the world’s first satellites. Photograph caption dated August 12, 1959 reads "Donald May of Northridge, left, director and designer of Valley Moonwatch Station in Chatsworth, presents awards for outstanding service in developing station to Jim Williams of Woodland Hills, right, current Moonwatch team captain; Fred McCord of Northridge, builder of station; and George Depew of Reseda, second from left, 1958 Moonwatch team captain. Station tracks and calculates orbits of satellites for Smithsonian Institution."
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