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 included a rather unique 10-inch,
Siderostat-type, Refractor Telescope, which was the
second largest in use from 1941 to 1994 and the only
one in use, at that time, specifically designed for
public use.

Buhl's "Siderostat Telescope," along with a very large
projection screen, allowed the public to view sunspots
[and compare them to the size of the Earth] and solar
granulation on the surface of the Sun. During public
exhibitions, we would also burn a piece of wood at the
eyepiece's focal point, to show the strength of the
sunlight.

This telescope also allowed the public to view the
Moon, planets, and stars whenever the sky was clear
enough. This included the daytime sky, when the Moon,
the planets Mercury, Venus [including phase], Mars,
and Jupiter [including cloud belts], and stars down to
third magnitude could be viewed by the public.

Click this link to learn more about this rather unique
telescope:

< http://buhlplanetarium2.tripod.com >

gaw

--- Kristian Anderson <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Date:         Fri, 24 Aug 2007 18:18:25 -0500
> From:         Kristian Anderson <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: solar exhibits
> To:           [log in to unmask]
> 
> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of
> Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums
> and related institutions.
>
*****************************************************************************
> 
> Though not meant for traveling, we created a digital
> heliostat,
> basically consisting of a large table with a data
> projector overhead.
> We download daily images of the sun in ultraviolet,
> x-ray, and visible
> wavelengths and the user can scroll through them
> using a joystick.  The
> user selects which wavelength they want to see using
> buttons.  The only
> downside is that occasionally we'll miss a few days
> due to satellite
> problems.
> 
> We didn't have enough clear days in Iowa to justify
> a real heliostat,
> besides, roof penetrations are very expensive!
> 
> Kristian Anderson
> Space Sciences Program Coordinator
> Science Center of Iowa
> 401 W Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway
> Des Moines, IA 50309
> (515)274-6868 ext. 235
> (515)274-3404 FAX
>  
> www.sciowa.org

gaw

Glenn A. Walsh
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 >


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