History of Modern Astrophysics Project. During the mid- to late-1970s, the Center for the History of Physics of the American Institute of Physics sponsored an oral history project designed to provide a systematic survey of late 20th century astrophysics, roughly based upon the model used in the Sources for the History of Quantum Physics project. However, the astrophysics project delved more deeply into personal and social matters rather than scientific inquiry. Like the Quantum Physics project, they also sought out and microfilmed significant bodies of records, particularly those for observatories, that were deemed to be "in danger, or in remote locations, or of exceptional value to a broad community of scholars." The initial list of candidates for interviews was compiled based upon recommendations that emerged from a series of exploratory interviews with astrophysicists, supplemented by individuals who were frequently cited in review articles, who were the recipients of major astronomical prizes, or who were mentioned as significant contributors in the existing secondary literature.