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
Photograph was edited for publication purposes. 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 May 26, 1961 reads "Sherilyn Butler, 18, 5225 Medina Rd., Woodland Hills; Larry Howard, accepting for Larry Teague, and Martha Mueller, 17, 5405 Ora Ave., Tarzana, left to right, were awarded plaques for serving as team captains of student groups making calculations, observing satellites and reporting data for the San Fernando Valley Moonwatch Station. Donald May, front, president, Amateur Astrophysical Society, made the presentations Wednesday at Barone's restaurant, 14151 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. The plaques were donated by the Kiwanis of Sherman Oaks."
Valley Amateur Astrophysical Society Engineers Men High school students Teenagers Award winners Awards Artificial satellites--Tracking Astronautics--United States Observation (Educational method) Plaques, plaquettes Sherman Oaks (Los Angeles, Calif.) Portrait photographs Group portraits
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