The Center for Short-Lived Phenomena (CSLP) was created in January 1968 to assist Smithsonian scientists in studying short-lived phenomena and to provide a reporting and information service for use by the scientific community. Its focus was on meteoritics, vulcanism, earthquakes, and sudden changes in biological and ecological systems. In 1971 and 1972 CSLP broadened its scope to include an information service for high school and college students. In 1973 the Center formed a new National Environmental Alert Program which became part of the United Nations Earthwatch Program.

Robert Citron was appointed Director of CSLP and served from 1968- . Policy was formulated by a committee of Smithsonian scientists, chaired by Sidney Galler, Assistant Secretary for Science. The Center was operated from the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

These records document the operations of CSLP under Citron. They include budget and personnel records, applications for grants in support of CSLP projects, publicity, and event reports documenting specific short-lived phenomena. There are also some records dealing with the Smithsonian Environmental Alert Pilot Program in 1972.

For additional administrative and operational records of the Center for Short-Lived Phenomena, see Office of International Programs, record unit 274.

Box 1 of 4

• Press Releases, 1968-1971 (3 folders)
• Film Projects and Television Specials, 1968-1970
• Public Information (outside SAO), 1970-1972 (2 folders)
• Conferences and Meetings, 1968-1971 (5 folders)
• Budget, 1968-1972 (6 folders)
• Proposals, 1970-1971 (2 folders)
• Event Reports, 1968-1974 (2 folders)

Box 2 of 4

• Correspondence re: Administration, 1968-1972 (13 folders)
• Space Allocation
• Policy and Procedures, 1968-1970
• Smithsonian Year Report, 1971
• Activity Reports, 1969-1971 (3 folders)
• Air and Space Council Report, 1969-1971
• Publications and Bulletins, 1968
• United Nations, 1971 (2 folders)
• Eclipse
• Environmental Monitoring, 1969

Box 3 of 4

• Maps of Monitoring Systems
• Press Releases, 1972-1973 (2 folders)
• Contracts, 1969-1970
• Personnel Biographies, 1968
• Federal Agencies Consulting CSLP, 1971-1972
• Expedition and Travel Reports
• Organization, 1970
• Foreign Currency Program, 1969-1970 (2 folders)
• Marine Environmental Prediction, 1971-1972 (3 folders)
• Ford/UNESCO Preliminary Study, 1970 (2 folders)
• Environmental Programs, 1971
• African Development, 1969-1972
• AF-Meteorite Aerial Sampling, 1970
• Remote Sensing, 1969
• Biosphere Conference, 1969
• Environmental Monitoring, 1969 (2 folders)
• Satyendra, 1968
• Environmental (general), 1969-1971 (2 folders)
• Communications, 1971
• Man and the Biosphere Program, 1969-1970
• Correspondence re: Administration, 1968-1970 (2 folders)
• Reporting Centers, 1968
• SI/SEOU Environmental Programs, 1970

Box 4 of 4

• Budget and Grant Disbursements, 1970-1972
• Biographies, 1970-1972
• MIT Program, 1969-1970 (2 folders)
• Robert Clinton, 1970-1972
• Study of Environmental Quality Information Programs (SEQIP), 1970
• Budget and Fund Sources, 1970-1971 (2 folders)
• Environmental Sciences Program, 1972-1973 (3 folders)
• Health, Education, and Welfare, 1974 (2 folders)
• Smithsonian Environmental Alert Network, 1973
• Environmental Event Reports, 1968-1974 (9 folders)
• International Pollution Alert Network, 1974
• International Environmental Alert Network, 1973
• Skylab Short-lived Event Alert Program, 1974
• Progress Report, 1968