ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science (1939 to 1991) operated solar telescope public presentations using our rather unique 10-inch Siderostat-type Refracator Telescope.

Harlow Shapley gave the keynote address at the dedication of this telescope on 1941 November 19. It was used for both night observing as well as observing the Sun, Moon, several planets, and stars down to third magnitude in the daytime sky. Presently, this telescope is in storage; we continue trying to have the telescope reassembled for future use by the public.

The image of the Sun was projected onto a large projection screen where the public could easily view sunspots and solar surface granulation. On the screen were two drawings of the planet Earth for size comparison purposes. One drawing was for when we used a 65x eyepiece, the other was for when we used an 80x eyepiece.

Each presentation included placing a piece of wood at the focal point, to graphically demonstrate why no one should ever look through a telescope or binoculars at the Sun, unless you have special equipment for safely observing the Sun. The immediate burning of the piece of wood made a very strong impression on most members of the public.

You can read more about the original Buhl Planetarium Observatory at this link:

< http://buhlplanetarium2.tripod.com >

I served as Astronomical Observatory Coordinator and managed Buhl Planetarium's Observatory from 1986 to 1991. You can contact me for questions or more information about our public observing program.

gaw

Glenn A. Walsh, Project Director,
Friends of the Zeiss < http://friendsofthezeiss.org >
Electronic Mail - < [log in to unmask] >
SPACE & SCIENCE NEWS, ASTRONOMICAL CALENDAR:
  < http://buhlplanetarium.tripod.com/#news >
Author of History Web Sites on the Internet --
* Buhl Planetarium, Pittsburgh: 
  < http://buhlplanetarium.tripod.com >
* Adler Planetarium, Chicago:
  < http://adlerplanetarium.tripod.com >
* Astronomer, Educator, Optician John A. Brashear:
  < http://johnbrashear.tripod.com >
* Andrew Carnegie & Carnegie Libraries: 
  < http://andrewcarnegie.tripod.com > 
* Duquesne Incline cable-car railway, Pittsburgh: 
  < http://incline.pghfree.net >
* Public Transit:
  < http://andrewcarnegie2.tripod.com/transit >


--- On Tue, 3/31/09, Tamara Schwarz <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> From: Tamara Schwarz <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Solar telescopes
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2009, 4:39 PM
> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the
> Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and
> related institutions.
> *****************************************************************************
> 
> Greetings all,
> 
> I am looking for information about how other science
> centers use solar
> telescopes in their public programs and exhibits.  If
> your science center,
> museum, or visitor center operates a large,
> permanently-installed solar
> telescope (as opposed to a portable scope that you set up
> from time to
> time), please let me know (off-list is fine) who we could
> contact to find
> out more about the role your solar telescope serves at your
> institution.
> If your institution has exhibits about solar astronomy but
> does not have a
> permanently-installed solar telescope, that would be
> helpful information as
> well.
> 
> Thanks,
> Tamara
> 
> -- 
> Tamara Schwarz, Exhibitions Manager
> Chabot Space & Science Center
> 10000 Skyline Blvd, Oakland, CA 94619
> p: 510.336.7349
> f: 510.336.7491
> [log in to unmask]
> www.chabotspace.org
> Celebrating 125 years of inspiration!


      

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