Charles A. Alcock, a theoretical physicist from the University of Pennsylvania, has been tapped to serve as the new director of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA).

Alcock’s arrival at the world-famous center marks a critical moment for the field of astrophysics and for the sciences at Harvard, as the distribution of facilities for science in Allston and Riverside is gradually revealed.

Alcock will also have to address the relationship between Harvard and the Smithsonian. Clashes of ego and interest, particularly where hiring is concerned, have tarnished the generally cooperative interactions.

Negotiations for science space and faculty appointments, as well as determining the CfA’s future role in the global astrophysics community, will consume much of Alcock’s first year in his new post.

In addition to joining the astronomy department as a full faculty member, Alcock will serve as the director of the CfA’s other two components, the Harvard College Observatory (HCO) and the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO).

Alcock’s peers are confident that his experience balancing research and teaching prepared him for what has the potential to be an astronomical workload.

“There are a lot of important decisions within the CfA and nationwide to be made within the next year or two, and I suspect that a lot of what I’m going to be doing is guiding CfA participation,” Alcock said.

NO SPACE FOR OUTER SPACE

Dean of the Physical Sciences and the Division of Engineering and Applied Sciences Venkatesh “Venky” Narayanamurti described how the trajectory of the center depends on upcoming developments.

“The CfA is at an important turning point because of all the changes happening in astronomy, physics and astrophysics,” Narayanamurti said. “Also, there are lots and lots of proposals to the Allston science task force including ones that will benefit astronomy.”

Property and space in the Cambridge area are prime concerns for science professors at Harvard, as many departments are experiencing space crunches.

Apart from expansion into Allston, the CfA is currently in talks to build a new research center at “Discovery Park” in Alewife.

The 115,000-square-foot space, which has generated much enthusiasm in Harvard’s astrophysics community, could sustain hundreds of researchers and allow the cramped department a little breathing room.

Some have also floated preliminary suggestions for the creation on Harvard’s Allston property of a center for the emerging field of astrobiology.

“We have an initiative as part of the Allston development committee for a Center for Cosmic Origins, which would look at biological development from an astronomic perspective,” said Astronomy Department Chair Lars Hernquist. “I think there is a lot of interest on the part of Harvard.”