The world’s high altitude laboratories

A recent survey article on high altitude laboratories has elicited so much correspondence that it was thought worth‐while to present today’s roster of such stations in tabular form. In the table below and on the map on p 30 several stations now in operation are listed in order of ascending geomagnetic latitude. In addition four stations at present under study are mentioned, one or more of which may be in operation in the near future. Omitted from this list are such well‐known observatories as Mt. Wilson, Mt. Palomar and others, since their elevation is not particularly high. Also omitted are such cities which may happen to lie at high elevations, as for example La Paz, Bolivia, at which no formally organized high altitude laboratories are known to this writer. Finally, we do not list any observatories in countries behind the Iron Curtain, but only those which will welcome scientists of all nations. The majority of the stations have electric power available usually via transmission lines from generating stations located elsewhere. All these are marked, under the heading of “Power Available”, as 25. The asterisk indicates that while existing lines often carry 25 KW, if the observer should have requirements for larger amounts of power, such as for a large magnet, arrangements should be made for the installation of larger transformers if needed. The listing under access will at once convey to the prospective user of such a station the reasonable limits of weight of equipment which can be transported. Thus, for example, to carry a six‐ton instrument to Morococha would present no insuperable difficulties, but if it were desired to take it to Pic du Midi, it would have to be disassembled. Under the heading “Housing, Persons”, is given the normal number which can comfortably sleep at the place mentioned. It goes without saying that this number is quite flexible, and it is only desired as an approximate guide to the housing situation. At many places, for example at the Jungfraujoch, Morococha, Echo Lake, Huancayo, and Climax, good hotels are available nearby. Further, if the experiment required 24‐hour personnel presence, observers can usually make their own arrangements to sleep near the apparatus on cots they can bring with them. Under the heading “Officer in Charge” are listed the persons who at this writing are well qualified to provide information about the use of each station. The names will change from time to time, and it is the institutional connections which will be more permanent. The author of the present article, who has been fortunate in visiting almost all of the stations listed, will be glad to provide additional information, should other questions arise. Such correspondence should be addressed to: Prof. Serge A. Korff, New York University, University Heights, New York 53, N.Y.

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