APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R00020011022-9
methods, and operations research. The research in numerical analysis is applications oriented, and although rather elementary, indicated considerable activity in the fundamental mathematics necessary for the use of electronic computers.
c. Astrophysical sciences
(1) Astronomy, upper atmosphere, and space sciences — Capabilities in astronomy, upper atmosphere, and space sciences are limited to a few areas in which competent work is done by one or two highly capable researchers. Although East Germany has one of the largest telescopes in Europe and engages in some stellar and solar observing, the country in general has only mediocre capabilities in observational astronomy. It is well known, however, for its excellent compilations of star positional data, and good work is done in theoretical astrophysics and cosmology.
The most important and best equipped astronomical observatories and radioastronomy stations are under the AW's Central Institute for Astrophysics and the Central Institute for Solar-Terrestrial Physics (Heinrich Hertz Institute), both in Potsdam. The former has subordinate to it the Sonneberg Observatory, Sonneberg; the Karl Schwarzwald Observatory at Tautenburg, near Jena; the Potsdam Astrophysical Observatory, Potsdam; and the Babelsberg Observatory and its Institute for Relativistic and Extragalactic Research, in the Babelsberg area of Potsdam. The Sonneberg Observatory is the most active in observational astronomy, particularly the study of variable stars, comets, and lights of the night sky. The Karl Schwarzwald Observatory, established in 1960, is rapidly becoming a leading East German observatory. It is equipped with a Zeiss 2-meter reflector, one of the largest in Europe, and has engaged in the study of open star clusters and extragalactic nebulae, in which there was some cooperative effort with Soviet astronomers. Other observational work has included photographic studies of compact galaxies and of galactic outer-border stars, and photometric investigations of quasars and variable stars. Stellar astronomy and both optical and radio solar astronomy are pursued actively by the Potsdam Astrophysical Observatory, Potsdam. Some astrometric research is done at the Babelsberg Astronomical Observatory and its Institute for Relativistic and Extragalactic Research, Babelsberg. Scientists at the observatory have done theoretical studies of the gas dynamics of meteor trails and the characteristics of meteors as they relate to artificial satellites. The Babelsberg Observatory publishes a catalogue of stars and has been engaged in a massive study of the compilation of all determinations of places for individual stars reduced to one epoch. The Central Institute for Solar-Terrestrial Physics routinely conducts optical and radio solar patrol studies. The institute has a solar tower at Potsdam and radioastronomical stations at Adlershof, Neustrelitz, and Tremsdorf. Research has been conducted on the influence of inhomogeneous solar magnetic fields on magnetograph measurements, on the structure of the solar corona, and on the nature of solar X-ray emissions and solar radio bursts.
Space research is restricted to theoretical investigations and ground-based measurements. The country is a member of Intercosmos, a cooperative space research program of Eastern European countries with the U.S.S.R., and has ground stations at Neustrelitz and Potsdam to receive very high frequency (VHF) telemetry from Intercosmos satellites. The East Germans have provided pay-load instrumentation for the Soviet-sponsored Vertikal scientific rocket program and participate in the Soviet Interobs program, an intrabloc cooperative effort in optical tracking of foreign satellites. Of the 25 tracking stations operating within Eastern European countries, five are located in East Germany—at Bautzen, Eilenburg, Schwerin, Ruderitz, and Potsdam. The East Germans also have provided instrumentation for some Intercosmos satellites.
East Germany is the leading Eastern European country in ionospheric research. The main centers for such research are the Central Institute for Solar-Terrestrial and its subordinate Observatory for Ionospheric Research in Kuehlungsborn. It also has an ionospheric station at Juliusruh on the island of Ruegen. Some fo the research has included an extensive investigation of ionospheric-stratospheric coupling; inquiry into atmospheric dynamo effects in the ionosphere; studies of ionospheric agronomical, dynamical, and phenomenological processes; and radiowave propagation. The director of the Central Institute, Dr. E. A. Lauter, is one of the three members who comprise the International Reference Ionosphere Working Group, established jointly in 1969 by the International Union of Radio Science and the Committee of Space Research (COSPAR) of the International Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU).
(2) Meteorology — Meteorological research covers a broad spectrum of topics with the emphasis on agricultural meteorology, climatology, and forecast-
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APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R00020011022-9
