2016: 75th Year of Pittsburgh's Buhl Planetarium Observatory Historic 10-inch Siderostat-type Refractor Telescope at Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science.
* The People's Observatory of The Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science / Buhl Science Center:
10-inch Siderostat-type Refractor Telescope - 1941 November 19 to 1991 August 31
* Henry Buhl, Jr. Planetarium and Observatory at The Carnegie Science Center:
16-inch Meade LX200 Schmidt-Cassegrain Reflector Telescope - 1991 October 5 to Present
Click Here to read a history of the Buhl Planetarium Observatory.

Astronomical Observatory of
The Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science / Buhl Science Center

The People's Observatory

With the Historic 10-inch Siderostat-type Refractor Telescope
(Property of the City of Pittsburgh)

Buhl's 10-inch, Siderostat-type, refractor telescope.

Buhl Planetarium's long-time Director, Arthur L. Draper, looks through the Institute of
Popular Science's new ten-inch, Siderostat-type refractor telescope in November of 1941.

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History: Buhl Planetarium and Observatory Directors and Staff


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The Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science / Buhl Science Center Astronomical Observatory SkyWatch -
Thursday, 1986 June 12 to Saturday, 1991 August 31 - Every Friday evening 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Eastern Time (ET), weather-permitting, year-round.
Also, some Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings, weather-permitting, during the months of November through
February (except the evenings of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, when the building was closed) each year.

Mars exhibits and programs at the original Buhl Planetarium / Buhl Science Center, including Mars observing in the original Buhl Planetarium Observatory.

The Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science opened to the public on October 24, 1939. However, it would be a little more than two years before Buhl's Astronomical Observatory would be finished and open for public use.

"The People's Observatory" was dedicated, on the third floor of The Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science, on November 19, 1941. At a cost of $30,000(1941 dollars), a ten-inch, Siderostat-type, refractor telescope was manufactured as the Observatory's primary instrument, by the Gaertner Scientific Company of Chicago. Well-known Astronomer, Harlow Shapley, who was then Director of the Harvard College Observatory, presented the keynote address at the dedication ceremony.

"First Light," viewed through the Siderostat-type telescope, dedication ceremony attendees saw the ringed-planet Saturn--a favorite of the public. Of course, in this era, Saturn was the only planet known to have rings. Today, we know that the planets Jupiter, Uranus, and Neptune, the other three "gas giants," also have rings. Pittsburgh Astronomer James E. Keeler, second professional Director of the Allegheny Observatory, used spectroscopic evidence to proof that Saturn's rings are composed of thousands of individual pieces of rocks and ice, late in the nineteenth century.

Click here to download a computer representation (bit map: .bmp) of the southern sky on the evening of the dedication of The People's Observatory: 1941 November 19 at 21:48:43 Eastern Standard Time (9:48:43 p.m. EST) / November 20 at 2:48:43 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

A Siderostat-type telescope is a very unique telescope arrangement. The telescope tube is mounted permanently on a concrete base; the tube does not move, save for the continual motions of the Earth. A flat, first-surface mirror is located behind the telescope, which reflects the sky into the telescope objective--in Buhl's case, a 10-inch objective lens. The mirror is located on the actual siderostat electric motor unit, which moves the mirror east or west in Right Ascension[by the Hour Angle, determined by a simple mathematical equation which takes into consideration the Local Mean Sidereal Time(LMST)] and north or south in Declination. Electric controls on the Control Console in the Observing Room are used by the telescope operator to move the mirror.

There are limitations to how much of the sky can be observed by a siderostat-type telescope. The walls and the roof(in Buhl's case, a flat, roll-away roof instead of a dome) limit the observable sky. However, even if the wall and roof could permit more of the sky to be seen(a possibility), the greater the angle of reflection of the sky into the telescope creates a lower quality image. In the case of Buhl's siderostat-type telescope(as well as most such telescopes), the Observatory is designed so that the telescope has the best view of the ecliptic, so the Sun(observed by projecting the solar image onto a large projection screen--visitors DO NOT look into the telescope when the Sun is being viewed, as this would burn their eyes and cause blindness INSTANTLY!), Moon and all observable planets can easily be seen.

The major advantage of a siderostat-type telescope is that the observers can stay in a climate-controlled Observing Room(as the telescope tube is actually constructed through a wall), while the objective lens remains in the open-air(when the roof is open) Telescope Room(it is necessary for the telescope objective to maintain the same temperature as the outdoors, to ensure a steady image, an image not disturbed by heat waves). In the case of Buhl Planetarium, the Observing Room is heated; however, this is the only public room in the building which is not air conditioned.

Another major advantage of a siderostat-type telescope is that the eyepiece remains fixed, hence people do not have to move their neck in awkward positions to view an object in the telescope. And, neither children, nor anyone else, can accidentally bump the telescope, requiring the telescope operator to reacquire the image for other members of the public waiting to view the celestial object.

In the beginning, the Amateur Astronomers' Association of Pittsburgh (AAAP), which helped get Buhl Planetarium constructed, assisted with operation of The People's Observatory. AAAP Co-Founder Leo Scanlon would schedule club members to operate the telescope.

Over the years (particularly after World War II), as AAAP members got involved with their own telescopes and observatories, interest and operation of the Buhl Planetarium Observatory waned. This was particularly true with the many cloudy days and evenings in Pittsburgh, and as Buhl Planetarium's evening hours started declining due to declining evening attendance and declining funding.

Buhl Planetarium was originally open every evening until 10:30 p.m. Later, Buhl Planetarium stayed open until 10:00 p.m., and eventually 9:30 p.m. The evenings open went from seven to six (closed on Monday evenings) to five (closed on Monday and Tuesday evenings), to finally four (closed Monday through Wednesday evenings).

In June of 1984, the decision came from the Buhl Science Center Management Committee to close all evenings, except four evenings a week (Thursday through Sunday) during the very popular exhibition of the Miniature Railroad and Village (November through February). Laser shows would continue to be shown in the Theater of the Stars Thursday through Sunday evenings, but all other exhibits would be closed to the public.

In response to a 1986 January proposal, by Jacque Kahn of the Downtown Golden Triangle Association, to have Downtown area businesses stay open later on weekday evenings (until 7:00 p.m), Glenn A. Walsh issued a memorandum to the Department of Visitor Services and Volunteers suggesting that Buhl participate in this initiative by remaining open to the public on Friday evenings. By a majority vote of the Buhl Management Committee, this suggestion was approved as an experiment during the Summer of 1986, commencing on Friday the 13th of June (which, coincidentally, had been Mr. Walsh's fourth anniversary at Buhl Planetarium). Mr. Walsh, then, resumed regular, evening public observing sessions in Buhl Planetarium's Observatory.

Regular, evening observing in Buhl Planetarium's Observatory had been sporadic in recent years when Buhl Planetarium was open in the evening, due to cloudy weather as well as reduced funding and staffing. Beginning on Thursday, 1986 June 12, and running through the day Buhl Planetarium closed as a public museum on Saturday, 1991 August 31, Buhl Planetarium's Observatory was open every Friday evening 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. ET, weather-permitting, year-round.

In the 1980s and early 1990s, the Buhl Planetarium Observatory also provided a lot of solar observing for the public during daytime hours, since the Observatory was usually only open in the evening on Fridays.

The Observatory always used the projection method of showing the image of the Sun to the public, on a large screen, using Buhl's rather unique 10-inch Siderostat-type Refractor Telescope. On the screen, the public could see solar granulation on the solar surface, as well as sunspots. A small circle placed on the screen showed the size of the Earth, which could be compared to the sizes of the sunspots projected on the screen. Actually, there were two circles placed on the screen, one if the telescope used a 65-power eyepiece, while the other if the telescope used an 80-power eyepiece.

The staff member operating the telescope would place a piece of wood close to the eyepiece lens, at the focal point, which instantly started the piece of wood to burn. This was to clearly demonstrate why it is so dangerous to look directly at the Sun through any telescope or binoculars, unless you have the proper training and equipment to do so safely.

Of course, this fairly large telescope had a clock-drive unit, which allowed the Sun to appear to remain stationary on the screen, while the telescope mirror slowly followed the Sun across the sky. Often, the telescope operator would also turn-off the clock-drive motor, to allow the Sun to rather quickly move across and off of the screen. This demonstrated to the public how fast the Earth rotates on its axis.

The siderostat-type telescope was invented by the famous French physicist Jean Bernard Leon Foucault, in the middle of the nineteenth century. Foucault was a very sickly man, and he died before he had the opportunity to build a siderostat-type telescope. A large siderostat-type telescope was built for a special exhibition in Paris, around 1900. However, after the exhibition concluded, the telescope was dismantled and has not been used since.

Foucault also developed what is now known as the Foucault Pendulum, which provides scientific evidence that the Earth does rotate on its axis. Buhl Planetarium's Foucault Pendulum has displayed this scientific proof since 1939.

Prior to the dedication of the "Siderostat," Buhl did use the building's third floor for astronomical observing. In addition to the Telescope Room of the Observatory, which uses a flat, roll-away roof(a manual chain is used to open and close the roof) to access the sky, two outdoor wings(east and west of the Telescope Room, hence called the "East Wing" and "West Wing") were also accessible to the public, where portable telescopes were often used.

Buhl Planetarium's 4-inch Zeiss Terrestrial Refractor Telescope

A four-inch (110-millimeter) portable, refractor telescope [pictured to the right of this paragraph; click on the image for an enlarged photograph (5)] was purchased from the Zeiss Optical Works in Jena, Germany, at about the same time Buhl's Zeiss II Planetarium Projector was received from the same company. This was the Buhl Planetarium Observatory's original telescope, before the Siderostat-type 10-inch Refractor Telescope was completed and installed in November of 1941. In this photograph [on the right], taken by long-time Buhl Planetarium Lecturer Francis G. Graham [Founder of the American Lunar Society and now Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Kent State University], this telescope is shown on the Buhl Planetarium Observatory's outdoor West Wing on 1983 September 24, prior to the conjunction of Jupiter and Uranus [whereby Uranus could be easily found].

Here is a second photograph of the Zeiss Terrestrial Refractor Telescope (5), being used by Robert Wamsley (an astronomy student of Professor Graham, in the early 1980s), also on the Buhl Planetarium Observatory's outdoor West Wing, where portable telescopes were often used. The outdoor East Wing was also often used, depending on whether a celestial object was rising (East Wing gives the best view) or setting (West Wing gives the best view).

Buhl Planetarium officials were quite disappointed when they received this telescope in 1939. The Zeiss Optical Works had sent Buhl the wrong type of telescope! The telescope they received was a terrestrial refractor, which corrects for the usual upside-down image of simpler telescopes using an additional lens. This is normally sold to people who would use the telescope to view objects on the Earth, not for celestial viewing (where an upside-down image is irrelevant).

Buhl had ordered an astronomical telescope which does not correct for the upside-down image; hence, no detail is lost in the correction process. Buhl officials would have liked to return the telescope to the Zeiss Company for a replacement. However, by this time World War II had broken-out in Europe and trading this telescope for a replacement seemed unlikely (once the war began, the Zeiss Optical Works in Jena, Germany was converted to make bombsights for German military aircraft; the Allies later bombed the factory). Hence, Buhl learned to live with a terrestrial telescope until the Siderostat was ready in 1941. This historic, four-inch Zeiss terrestrial refractor telescope is still in use by the Henry Buhl, Jr. Planetarium and Observatory / Buhl Digital Dome at The Carnegie Science Center, usually on Friday and Saturday evenings, weather-permitting.

An interesting historic anecdote: On the same evening of the Observatory dedication, Buhl started a new Planetarium Sky Show and opened a new gallery exhibit. The Sky Show, regarding Celestial Navigation, was titled "Bombers by Starlight"(Buhl provided Celestial Navigation classes to many military servicemen, during World War II). The new exhibit, in Buhl's lower-level Octagon Gallery(which encircles the planetarium projector pit, below the planetarium theater) was titled "Can America Be Bombed?" This exhibit opened two and one-half weeks before the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii!

Portable telescopes in the Buhl Planetarium collection included:
* 4-inch Zeiss Terrestrial Refractor Telescope
* 4-inch Brashear Refractor Telescope (Donated to Buhl Planetarium by Mr. J.K. Foster on 1972 October 16; built for Dr. David D. Kennedy circa 1900)
* Questar Reflector Telescope (Donated to Buhl Planetarium)
* 6-inch Reflector Telescope
* 6-Inch Reflector Telescope - Produced by female student in a Buhl Planetarium telescope-making class in the 1950s or 1960s. In the late 1980s or early 1990s, she donated the telescope to Buhl Planetarium. As a senior citizen, she was moving to Arizona and could not take the telescope with her. So, one day Lee Madden and Glenn Walsh drove to her Butler County residence to pick-up the telescope and return it to the Buhl Planetarium Observatory. Regrettably, it did not stay at Buhl Planetarium long. Due to the telescope's home-made nature, Planetarium Director Paul Oles did not think it looked right in a modern observatory; he insisted that it be removed from Buhl Planetarium (under protest from Glenn Walsh). A full-time Buhl Planetarium lecturer, John French, donated the telescope to a friend.

After the October 5, 1991 opening of the Henry Buhl, Jr. Planetarium and Observatory/Buhl Digital Dome in the The Carnegie Science Center, Buhl's Siderostat-type telescope continued to be used for Science Center classes, until February of 1994 when the decision was made to move all classes to the main bttuilding. Portable telescopes used in Buhl's Observatory, including the historic four-inch Brashear refractor telescope and the historic four-inch Zeiss, terrestrial, refractor telescope, were moved to the new Science Center building immediately upon its opening. Several of these portable telescopes are used for the Henry Buhl, Jr. Planetarium and Observatory/Buhl Digital Dome's astronomical observing sessions, usually on Friday and Saturday evenings weather-permitting(admission charge: one dollar per person) . In addition to the portable telescopes, the Science Center's fifth floor observation deck includes an observatory dome, which houses a 16-inch Meade reflector telescope.

Previous to the early twentieth century, research observatories would, from time-to-time, allow the public to tour the facility and look through the research telescopes, particularly during special astronomical events such as a bright comet or a lunar eclipse. The idea of a "public observatory" did not begin to be somewhat common until the 1930s, with the advent of astronomical observatories built in conjunction with other public education facilities such as planetaria and science museums. Observatories built in conjunction with Philadelphia's Franklin Institute/Fels Planetarium (1933), Los Angeles' Griffith Observatory and Planetarium (1935), and Pittsburgh's Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science (1941) were the earliest such public observatories.

In his autobiography, John Brashear writes, "In my early struggles to gain a knowledge of the stars, I made a resolution that if ever an opportunity offered or I could make such an opportunity, I should have a place where all the people who loved the stars could enjoy them;...and the dear old thirteen-inch telescope, by the use of which so many discoveries were made, is also given up to the use of the citizens of Pittsburgh, or, for that matter, citizens of the world." With the new Allegheny Observatory containing two new, large research telescopes, there no longer was a major research purpose for the original, smaller telescope, or for that matter, for the construction of a third telescope dome.

However, Dr. Brashear felt so strongly that a telescope should be reserved for public use, he made sure that the original 13-inch telescope was mounted in a third dome designed for public use. Hence, the 1912 Allegheny Observatory building may truly be considered the oldest "public observatory," constructed in conjunction with a two-dome research observatory!

And, Buhl Planetarium's original "People's Observatory" could be considered the fifth oldest public observatory.

The following are the earliest public observatories, defined here as observatories which have showing celestial objects to the general public as their primary mission (even if they do some research or formal education). Alternatively, a college / university or academic observatory may have some public tours or public star parties, but their primary mission would be research and formal education.


Earliest Public Observatories

1845 to 1871 and 1999 to Present -
After former U.S. President John Quincy Adams presided over the laying of the cornerstone in 1843, in 1845 the Cincinnati Observatory opens as a public observatory (in 1845, the 11-inch refractor telescope was the largest in the Western Hemisphere and the third largest in the world). In 1871, the Cincinnati Observatory becomes part of the University of Cincinnati. With continuing ownership by the University of Cincinnati but new operation by the Cincinnati Observatory Center, the Cincinnati Observatory again becomes a public observatory in 1999.

1861 to 1867 -
In 1861, the Allegheny Observatory opens as a public observatory. In 1867, the Allegheny Observatory becomes part of the Western University of Pennsylvania, later known as the University of Pittsburgh.

1883 to Present -
In 1883, the Oakland (California) Observatory near Downtown Oakland opened following a gift from Anthony Chabot to the City of Oakland, providing public telescope observing to the community. Over the years, this institution has evolved and expanded to what is now known as the Chabot Space and Science Center. The Oakland Observatory started with an 8-inch Alvan Clark and Sons refractor telescope, adding a 4-inch transit telescope in 1885. Due to increasing light-pollution and urban congestion, the Oakland Observatory moved to a more remote location in 1915, still within the city limits of Oakland, where they added a 20-inch Warner and Swasey refactor telescope utilizing optics from the John Brashear Company. In 2003, the Chabot Space and Science Center added a 36-inch classical cassegrain reflector telescope.

1912 to Present -
In 1912, the new Allegheny Observatory opens with two domes devoted to research, and the third dome dedicated as a public observatory housing the original 13-inch Fitz-Clark Refractor Telescope (in 1861, the second largest telescope in America and the third largest in the world) from the original Allegheny Observatory. In addition to one dome devoted as a public observatory, famous telescope maker John A. Brashear insisted that the new building include a public lecture hall and that the building be located in a public park near a major streetcar line. At his suggestion, industrialist and philanthropist Henry Clay Frick agreed to fund a weekly series of public tours of the Observatory.

1934 to Present -
After Fels Planetarium opens in 1933, in 1934 Franklin Institute in Philadelphia opens with a public observatory.

1935 to Present -
In 1935, Griffith Observatory opens in Los Angeles, in Griffith Park on a high hill above Hollywood, as a public observatory with a planetarium.

1941 to 1994 -
In 1941,The People's Observatory of Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science opens with the keynote address by famous astronomer Harlow Shapley, then Director of the Harvard College Observatory. First Light through the rather unique 10-inch Siderostat-type Refractor Telescope was the planet Saturn.


Brief History of the Siderostat-Type Telescope

Inventor of the Siderostat-Type Telescope - Jean Bernard Léon Foucault, who also invented the Foucault Pendulum, which demonstrates that the Earth rotates on its axis.:

Biographies and related information, authored by Dr. William Tobin, Senior Lecturer, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand: Link 1 *** Link 2;
Talks relating to Léon FOUCAULT or astronomy *** Download Léon Foucault's original publications or read them on-line.
French Language Biography [2002 October]: Léon Foucault. Le miroir et le pendule;
English Language Biography [2003 October]: The Life and Science of Léon Foucault. The Man who Proved the Earth Rotates.

Three Large Siderostat-Type Telescopes

1) Great Paris Exhibition Telescope of 1900: Link 1 *** Link 2.
* Two 49-inch Objective Lenses: one for public viewing and one for photography.
* Largest Siderostat-type Refractor Telescope that every existed.
* Largest Refractor Telescope that ever existed [Largest now in existence is 40-inch refractor telescope at Yerkes Observatory (operated by the University of Chicago) in Williams Bay, Wisconsin. The 30-inch Thaw Memorial Refractor at Pittsburgh's Allegheny Observatory (operated by the University of Pittsburgh) is the world's fifth largest refractor telescope, and it was the third largest photographic refractor telescope before being converted to using the Multi-Channel Astrometric Photometer (MAP) in the 1980s.].
* Dismantled in 1909 after telescope failed to be sold; lenses still in possession of the Paris Observatory.

2) 15-inch Siderostat-Type Refractor Telescope at the Flower and Cook Observatory of the University of Pennsylvania, located in suburban Philadelphia.
* 15-inch Objective Lens, produced by the John Brashear Company, Pittsburgh.
* Mount produced by the J.W. Fecker Company (successor to the John Brashear Company), Pittsburgh.
* Installed as one of the two major telescopes of the personal observatory (Roslyn House Observatory) of amateur astronomer Gustavus Wynne Cook (~1929 to 1940).
* In 1940, at Mr. Cook's death, the telescope was donated to the University of Pennsylvania.
* In 1956, telescope was moved to University of Pennsylvania's new suburban Flower and Cook Observatory.
Additional information: OBSERVATIONAL ASTRONOMY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA 1751 - 2007.
* In 2004, University of Pennsylvania sold property which included Flower and Cook Observatory.
* In 2007, 15-inch Siderostat-Type Refractor Telescope was donated to the Florida Community College of Jacksonville / Northeast Florida Astronomical Society.
Additional information - Link 1 *** Link 2.
* 15-inch Siderostat-Type Refractor Telescope currently dismantled and in storage in Jacksonville.

3) 10-inch Siderostat-Type Refractor Telescope of Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science.
* Manufactured by the Gaertner Scientific Company of Chicago, at a cost of $30,000 (1941 Dollars).
* Dedicated as The People's Observatory on 1941 November 19.
* Keynote address at dedication by famous astronomer Harlow Shapley, then Director of the Harvard College Observatory.
* First Light: Ringed Planet Saturn. Click here to download a computer representation (bit map: .bmp) of the southern sky on the evening of the dedication of The People's Observatory: 1941 November 19 at 21:48:43 Eastern Standard Time (9:48:43 p.m. EST) / November 20 at 2:48:43 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
* An interesting historic anecdote: On the same evening of the Observatory dedication, Buhl started a new Planetarium Sky Show and opened a new gallery exhibit. The Sky Show, regarding Celestial Navigation, was titled "Bombers by Starlight"(Buhl provided Celestial Navigation classes to many military servicemen, during World War II). The new exhibit, in Buhl's lower-level Octagon Gallery(which encircles the planetarium projector pit, below the planetarium theater) was titled "Can America Be Bombed?" This exhibit opened two and one-half weeks before the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii!
* Operated 1941 to 1994. Dismantled and in storage since 2002.


"The People's Observatory" - Buhl's Astronomical Observatory -

Brief History: Link 1 *** Link 2 *** Link 3

Detailed description of The People's Observatory from 1941 November 8 article:
Allison, William. "The People's Observatory of the Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science."
Popular Astronomy Magazine Vol. 50 Page 31 (1941 November).

Description and other information - Aide's Book, Copy 8, pages 36 through 39, 58 through 63.

Description, operating instructions, Observatory program - Aide's Book, Copy 25, pages 20 through 31

Photographs of the Ten-inch, Siderostat-type, Refractor Telescope -
Special Note: "Danger" sign, seen in these images, refers to the danger of looking directly at the Sun through the telescope. Looking directly at the Sun with a telescope, binoculars, or any other optical aid will result in permanent loss of vision!!! This is also true during most stages of an eclipse of the Sun or Solar Eclipse. During a daytime tour of The People's Observatory, the staff member would project the image of the Sun from the telescope onto a large projection screen; people would then safely view the image of the Sun on the projection screen. Not only is this a safe way to view the Sun(and, possibly sunspots and/or granulation on the surface of the Sun), this also allows everyone in the tour group to view the Sun at the same time. The Observatory Tourguide, usually during the daytime tour, would also place a piece of wood close to the eyepiece lens of the telescope(where people would normally look into the telescope to see planets and stars in the evening). The piece of wood would immediately start to burn!!! This very graphic demonstration was presented to emphasize the danger of looking into the telescope at the Sun.

Image 1 (5) *** Image 2 (5) *** Image 3 (5) *** Image 4 *** Image 5

* Telescope Room Used as Classroom (5) -

As the original Buhl Planetarium building was rather small (construction of the 40,000 square-foot building cost $1.07 million during the Great Depression), all possible spaces were used as classroom space for Saturday Science Classes and the Summer Science Academy. Hence, the Telescope Room, in the Observatory, was also used as a classroom. As the Telescope Room was not heated (as was the Observing Room), sometimes a space heater was used for classes in the cooler weather.

A blackboard was also installed on the west Telescope Room wall. In the mid-1980s, Special Programs Director Bill Moser removed the blackboard (it was taken to the Lab 2 classroom, then used as a supply room for Science classes), so chalk dust would not disturb the optics of the 10-inch Siderostat-type Refractor Telescope, or any of the several portable telescopes stored in the Telescope Room.

This photograph shows Buhl Planetarium Lecturer Francis G. Graham teaching an Astronomy class in the Telescope Room.

News article from Dedication of "The People's Observatory" -

Image 1

Rouvalis, Cristina. "A question of Merit, Scholarships come with strings attached."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 1987 July 27: A-1.
Buhl Planetarium Student Volunteer from Shaler Area High School, Yuri A. Saito, Pictured at the
Control Console of Buhl Planetarium's Astronomical Observatory [Front Page Photograph and News Story] --
Observatory photograph on the front page of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
- The following photograph, showing Buhl Observatory Volunteer Yuri A. Saito at the control console of Buhl's Ten-inch Siderostat-type, Refractor Telescope, was published on the front page of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Monday, July 27, 1987. This picture accompanied an article regarding Ms. Saito's pursuit of a National Merit Scholarship to fund college.
* Photograph
* News Article - Page 1
* News Article(continued) - Page 5, Part 1
* News Article(continued) - Page 5, Part 2
* Yuri A. Saito, M.D.

In February of 1983, the Buhl Planetarium Floor Staff became part of the new Department of Visitor Services and Volunteers, of the newly-renamed Buhl Science Center [name change occurred in February of 1982]. Although there had always been a few volunteers assisting with Buhl programs [particularly members of the Amateur Astronomers' Association of Pittsburgh (AAAP) who staffed Buhl Planetarium's "People's Observatory" in the 1940s and 1950s, scheduled by AAAP Co-Founder Leo J. Scanlon], this new department aggressively sought volunteers to assist in many aspects of Buhl operations. After a few years, volunteers were involved throughout the Buhl Science Center.

For instance, beginning in June of 1986, a newly expanded program in Buhl's Astronomical Observatory was almost entirely operated by volunteers, reminiscent of how the Observatory began operation with AAAP volunteers in November of 1941. This permitted Buhl's Observatory to be open to the public every Friday evening 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. ET, weather permitting, year-round.

The Buhl volunteer program included many senior citizen volunteers, as well as some young-to-middle-aged volunteers usually [but not always] employed in the Science professions [the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) provided several volunteers]. In addition, some of the best and brightest high school students in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County became Buhl Volunteers.

Yuri A. Saito was one of these high school student volunteers at the Buhl Science Center, who was truly one of the best and brightest students in Allegheny County. Despite the fact that she did not obtain the National Merit Scholarship, she attended Medical School at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. Today, she is known as Yuri A. Saito Loftus, M.D., a physician and medical researcher at the prestigious Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota (also, see Dr. Saito's letter of support of 2005 June 30, endorsing historic designation of Buhl Planetarium).

* Photograph of the Waxing Crescent Moon (5) taken using Buhl Planetarium's 10-inch Siderostat-type Refractor Telescope by long-time Buhl Planetarium Lecturer Francis G. Graham.

Dyke, Barb V., et.al. "Saturn Through the Buhl Planetarium Heliostat."
Report of the Alternative Curriculum Astronomy Workshop,
The Tripoli Federation, Pittsburgh 1975 April 2.

* Walsh, Glenn A. "Buhl Planetarium Poem by Ann Curran." Blog Posting.
SpaceWatchtower 2012 May 3.
Poem "At the Late Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science," written by Pittsburgh Poet and
former Buhl Planetarium employee Ann Curran, who held a poetry reading at the Main Branch of
The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh on 2012 April 15.
Observatory remembrance in poem.

* Telstar 1 Satellite Model displayed in the original Astronomical Observatory of Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science, in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

* World War II & Buhl Planetarium Observatory

Other Telescopes -

* Brashear 4-inch Refractor Telescope (Now at The Carnegie Science Center) -
> Photographs at The Carnegie Science Center
> Donation, to Buhl, of 37th telescope (serial number 37), circa 1900, manufactured by John A. Brashear - In Buhl Annual Report of Programs, 1972-1973, pages 9, 10, and 11.

* Fecker 3.5-inch Reflector Telescope, shown in this photograph (5) at the northeast end of the Buhl Planetarium Observatory Telescope Room, just west of the Siderostat Unit (which moves the flat, first-surface mirror of Buhl's 10-inch Siderostat-type Refractor Telescope). The J.W.Fecker Company was the successor to The John Brashear Company; both used the same telescope manufacturing building off of Perrysville Avenue on the Old Observatory Hill in the Perry Hilltop section of Pittsburgh's North Side..

* Model (nonusable) of first Newtonian Reflector Telescope displayed behind large glass window of Buhl Planetarium Observatory.

* Astronomical Transparencies Mounted in Wooden Box on South Wall of Observing Room.

* Strip of Quilt squares dedicated to the original Buhl Planetarium Observatory, on the Great Pittsburgh Friendship Quilt created at Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science in 1988; this strip of squares is located just to the right of the "Boggs and Buhl" Department Store quilt strip.

* 1980s photograph of Buhl Planetarium Astronomy Lecturer and Instructor (and Penn Hills High School Planetarium Director) Larry Meghan, along with Allegheny General Hospital Public Relations Director (and former KDKA-TV 2 News Reporter and Anchor) Marlynn Singleton, in the Telescope Room of Buhl Planetarium's Astronomical Observatory (at western entrance to the Telescope Room, from the Observing Room) (5). This photograph shows a blackboard mounted on the western wall of the Telescope Room for Buhl Planetarium Science classes that took place in this room. Although the Telescope Room was purposely constructed without any heating (to ensure that heat does not disrupt telescopic images), a portable space heater was often used in the Telescope Room during Science classes. In the mid-1980s, Special Programs Director Bill Moser removed the blackboard (it was taken to the Lab 2 classroom, then used as a supply room for Science classes), so chalk dust would not disturb the optics of the 10-inch Siderostat-type Refractor Telescope, or any of the several portable telescopes stored in the Telescope Room.

* 6-inch f/12 Mazur Reflector Telescope with a photo-electric cell (5), owned by long-time Buhl Planetarium Lecturer (and American Lunar Society Founder) Francis G. Graham. The meter mounted on the telescope reads microamps, and it has a bridge circuit. This photograph was taken on 1983 September 24 in Buhl Planetarium's Little Science Theater, located near the projection screen in the front of the Lecture Hall, between the Lab Table (east of the Lab Table) and the wooden enclosure that housed Transpara, the Talking Glass Lady.

* 8-inch f/8 Edmund Reflector Telescope (5), owned by long-time Buhl Planetarium Lecturer (and American Lunar Society Founder) Francis G. Graham. This photograph was taken on 1983 September 24 in Buhl Planetarium's Little Science Theater, located in the front of the Lecture Hall, between the Lab Table (west of the Lab Table) and the emergency exit doors to the outside. Since that time, Professor Graham has sold the telescope tube and mirror; the heavy cast iron stand now holds Professor Graham's 7-inch Refractor Telescope.

"The Theater of the Stars" - Buhl's Planetarium Theater

Friends of the Zeiss Internet Web Site

"Save the Buhl" Internet Web Site and their Siderostat Telescope Page.

History of Astronomer,Educator, and Optician John A. Brashear

Henry Buhl, Jr. Planetarium and Observatory / Buhl Digital Dome at The Carnegie Science Center

See Telescope, Newtonian Non-usable Replica.

See Astronomy Exhibits - Hallway Wrapping Around Theater of the Stars.

See Astronomy Exhibits - Astronomical Observatory Transparencies

See Radio Astronomy Exhibit.



Observatory-Related News: General News

Observatory-Related News: Buhl Planetarium / Friends of the Zeiss


$65 Million Donation Results in Name Change from Carnegie Science Center to Kamin Science Center
Largest Carnegie Museums Donation Since Founding by Andrew Carnegie

* Facebook Post - Buhl Science Center: Michelle McSwigan. 2024 Jan. 23. First retrieved 2024 Jan. 24.

* "DANIEL AND CAROLE KAMIN MAKE TRANSFORMATIONAL $65 MILLION GIFT IN SUPPORT OF CARNEGIE SCIENCE CENTER." New Release.
The Carnegie Science Center 2024 Jan. 23. First retrieved 2024 Jan. 24.
Daniel Kamin, a Pittsburgh-based commercial real estate entrepreneur, traces his personal
dedication to science to childhood visits to Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science,
the precursor to Carnegie Science Center. The Buhl Planetarium was renamed Carnegie
Science Center and opened to the public in its current location in 1991.
“I vividly recall crafting my own telescope during many inspired visits to The Buhl, so I have a
great appreciation for the role the Science Center plays in educating and inspiring our young
people,” Daniel Kamin said. “The Science Center is a vital contributor to the economic vitality of
the Pittsburgh region and a great partner to our schools and science-based businesses. Carole
and I were inspired by the future vision presented

* Klimovich Harrop, Joanne. "Carnegie Science Center changing name after receiving $65M gift."
TribLive.com: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2024 Jan. 23. First retrieved 2024 Jan. 24.

Reinherz, Adam. "Telescope building and tzedakah giving: Daniel and Carole Kamin deliver historic gift to Carnegie Museums."
Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle 2024 Jan. 25. First retrieved 2024 Jan. 26.
Science, and especially astronomy, have been lifelong fascinations, Daniel Kamin told the Chronicle.
“I actually built a telescope when I was around 13 years old (around 1955) in the basement of what was then the Buhl Science Center,” he said.
The experience prompted two queries: What exists beyond space and, if the universe began 13.8 billion years ago, what happened before that?
“Those are two questions that no one’s been able to answer,” he said.


Walsh, Glenn A. "Halley's Comet Aphelion - Farthest from Sun." Blog-Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2023 Dec. 9. First retrieved 2023 Dec. 9.
1910 – Astronomer John Brashear shows Halley's Comet to the general public, using telescopes in Pittsburgh's Riverview Park, on the front lawn of the Allegheny Observatory.
1985 & 1986 – Pittsburgh's Buhl Science Center shows Halley's Comet to the general public, using telescopes in the original Buhl Planetarium Observatory, including the historic 10-inch Siderostat-type Refractor Telescope.

Walsh, Glenn A. "$4.48 Million Mars Exhibit Opens in Pittsburgh." Blog-Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2023 Jan. 11. First retrieved 2023 Jan. 11.
Exhibit opened at The Carnegie Science Center.
Includes information regarding Mars exhibits that were displayed at the original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science / Buhl Science Center.
Mars was often the featured object shown to the public, particularly when Mars was close to Earth, in the original Buhl Planetarium Astronomical Observatory. Buhl's Astronomical Observatory was open for public observing every Friday evening 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. ET, weather-permitting, year-round---also, some Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings, weather-permitting, during the months of November through February (except the evenings of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, when the building was closed) each year.
In addition to the opening of Mars: The Next Giant Leap exhibit on November 19, November 19 also marked the 81st anniversary (Wednesday Evening, 1941 November 19) of the Astronomical Observatory at the original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science. The Astronomical Observatory's primary instrument was a rather unique, and now historic, 10-inch Siderostat-type Refractor Telescope (Property of the City of Pittsburgh).

Walsh, Glenn A. "Moonshot Space Museum Opens in Pittsburgh." Blog-Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2022 Oct. 22. First retrieved 2022 Oct. 22.
The grand public opening of the original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science occurred on 1939 October 25. The official dedication had occurred at 8:30 p.m. the previous evening, before an invitation-only list of VIPs. However, the dedication was broadcast on three Pittsburgh radio stations: KQV, KDKA, and WWSW.
Even The Carnegie Museum of Natural History opened on a day ending in “5”, but 5 days after October had ended. The Carnegie Institute, which includes The Carnegie Museum of Natural History and The Carnegie Library, as well as The Carnegie Music Hall and The Carnegie Museum of Art, opened to the public on 1895 November 5. Andrew Carnegie, a proud native of Scotland, chose November 5 to open some of his early libraries [including libraries in Homestead, Pennsylvania (1898) and Canton, Ohio (1905), in addition to Pittsburgh]. In Scotland, November 5 is known as Guy Fawkes Day, commemorating the failed plot (Gunpowder Plot of 1605) to blow-up the British Parliament and assassinate James Charles Stuart, who was Scotland's King James IV and King James I of England and Ireland (after the 1603 union of the English and Scottish Crowns).

Walsh, Glenn A. " Early Fri. Lunar Eclipse Longest in 1,000 Years." Blog-Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2021 Nov. 17. First retrieved 2021 Nov. 17.
This November 19 also marks the 80th anniversary of the Astronomical Observatory at the original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular (a.k.a. Buhl Science Center), Pittsburgh's science and technology museum from 1939 to 1991.

"Bengaluru: Preparations underway at Nehru Planetarium to observe tomorrow’s Solar Eclipse #Gallery." Photographs.
Socialnews.xyz 2020 June 20.
Photographs of a small telescope and a small coelostat to be used to view Annular Solar Eclipse of 2020 June 21 at Nehru Planetarium in India.

Walsh, Glenn A. "NASA Contest: Help Design Mini Moon Rovers By June 8." Blog-Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2020 May 12. First retrieved 2020 May 12.
Includes photograph of the Moon taken using the rather unique 10-inch Siderostat-type Refractor Telescope at the original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science (a.k.a Buhl Science Center - Pittsburgh's science and technology museum from 1939 to 1991).

Walsh, Glenn A. "Centennial: 'Great Debate' on Scale of Universe." Blog-Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2020 April 26. First retrieved 2020 April 26.
The 1920 "Great Debate" was between Harlow Shapley, who gave the keynote address at the 1941 dedication of the rather unique 10-inch Siderostat-type Refractor Telescope at the original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science (a.k.a. Buhl Science Center - Pittsburgh's science and technology museum from 1939 to 1991), and Heber D. Curtis who became Director of Pittsburgh's Allegheny Observatory later in 1920.

Walsh, Glenn A. "Centennial: Death of Telescope-Maker & Astronomer John Brashear." Blog-Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2020 April 8. First retrieved 2020 April 8.
Pittsburgh telescope-maker, astronomer, and educator John Brashear was an adviser to Andrew Carnegie and Henry Clay Frick.
John Brashear accompanied Andrew Carnegie to the official 1902 dedication of the Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall in Carnegie, Pennsylvania.

McMonagle, Haley. "Buhl Planetarium’s pioneering past."
The Northside Chronicle, Pittsburgh 2020 Jan. 1. First retrieved 2020 Feb. 13.
Editor's Note: The author of this Northside Chronicle article, Haley McMonagle, is the granddaughter of a former
Buhl Planetarium Floor Aide, Dewitt Peart, who is interviewed in this article (also includes a 1950s photograph of Dewitt Peart
explaining the Foucault Pendulum to a Cub Scout group).

Walsh, Glenn A. "Iconic Radio Telescope to be Moth-Balled?" Blog-Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2017 Jan. 13.
A very large and iconic radio telescope in West Virginia could be shuttered, with the possible loss of
National Science Foundation (NSF) funding in the near future.
One of the major facilities being considered for defunding is the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope
of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank, West Virginia.

Walsh, Glenn A. "Celestial Navigation Classes Return to Naval Academy After Absence of Nearly a Decade." Blog-Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2016 Dec. 7.
During World War II several planetaria, including Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science,
taught Celestial Navigation classes to military servicemen bound for service in the War. In fact, Buhl Planetarium
premiered a public planetarium program on Celestial Navigation, titled “Bombers By Starlight,” just two and
one-half weeks before the surprise Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on 1941 December 7 – 75 years ago, today.
This new “sky show” premiered on 1941 November 19, the same evening when famous astronomer Harlow Shapley
(then Director of the Harvard College Observatory) gave the keynote address at the dedication of Buhl Planetarium's
new, and rather unique, 10-inch Siderostat-Type Refractor Telescope. And after the sky show, a new Buhl Planetarium
gallery exhibit opened, with the-then intriguing title, “Can America Be Bombed?”
Special Note: This article was reprinted in the 2017 March issue (Volume 46, Number 1, Pages 56 to 58, of the .pdf file) of the
Quarterly Journal of the International Planetarium Society, Planetarian.

Friends of the Zeiss. "Astronomical Calendar: 2016 December." Blog-Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2016 Dec. 1.
Cover photograph: rare color photograph of the 1941 December 7 Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Caption also mentions opening of exhibit, "Can America Be Bombed?", at Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute
of Popular Science
two and one-half weeks earlier, along with dedication of the rather unique 10-inch Siderostat-Type Refractor Telescope.

Graham, Francis G. "155th Anniversary of Allegheny Observatory: The Very 1st Director." Blog-Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2016 Nov. 27.

Walsh, Glenn A. "Science Center Addition Omits Historic Telescope."
Public Statement Before Allegheny County Council.
Friends of the Zeiss 2016 Nov. 22.

Berger, Larry. Radio Interview Regarding 75th Anniversary of Buhl Planetarium Observatory. Audio: Radio Interview.
Saturday Light Brigade Radio Program: NeighborhoodVoices.org 2016 November 19.
Larry Berger, host of the Saturday Light Brigade children's / family radio program, interviewed Glenn A. Walsh on the
75th anniversary of the Astronomical Observatory of Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of
Popular Science, which was dedicated on 1941 November 19.

Walsh, Glenn A. "75th Anniversary: America's 5th Public Observatory." Blog-Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2016 Nov. 19.
75th anniversary of The People's Observatory of Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and
Institute of Popular Science, including the rather unique 10-inch Siderostat-Type Refractor Telescope.

Walsh, Glenn A. "100 Years Ago: Planetarium Concept Born ." Blog Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2014 Feb. 24.

Roach, John. "Ten ancient observatories spied from space."
MSNBC 2008 Aug. 20.



Observatory-Related News: Buhl Planetarium / Friends of the Zeiss

Observatory-Related News: General News

"Update" Year-End Report for 2008 December:
Buhl Planetarium and Carnegie Library

News Archives

2016: 75th Year of Pittsburgh's Buhl Planetarium Observatory Historic 10-inch Siderostat-type Refractor Telescope at Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science.

The People's Observatory of The Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science / Buhl Science Center:
10-inch Siderostat-type Refractor Telescope - 1941 November 19 to 1991 August 31

Henry Buhl, Jr. Planetarium and Observatory at The Carnegie Science Center:
16-inch Meade LX200 Schmidt-Cassegrain Reflector Telescope - 1991 October 5 to Present

2014: 75th Year of Pittsburgh's Buhl Planetarium Historic Zeiss II Planetarium Projector at Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science.

75th Anniversary of America's 5th Major Planetarium: Pittsburgh's Buhl Planetarium


$65 Million Donation Results in Name Change from Carnegie Science Center to Kamin Science Center
Largest Carnegie Museums Donation Since Founding by Andrew Carnegie

* Facebook Post - Buhl Science Center: Michelle McSwigan. 2024 Jan. 23. First retrieved 2024 Jan. 24.

* "DANIEL AND CAROLE KAMIN MAKE TRANSFORMATIONAL $65 MILLION GIFT IN SUPPORT OF CARNEGIE SCIENCE CENTER." New Release.
The Carnegie Science Center 2024 Jan. 23. First retrieved 2024 Jan. 24.
Daniel Kamin, a Pittsburgh-based commercial real estate entrepreneur, traces his personal
dedication to science to childhood visits to Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science,
the precursor to Carnegie Science Center. The Buhl Planetarium was renamed Carnegie
Science Center and opened to the public in its current location in 1991.
“I vividly recall crafting my own telescope during many inspired visits to The Buhl, so I have a
great appreciation for the role the Science Center plays in educating and inspiring our young
people,” Daniel Kamin said. “The Science Center is a vital contributor to the economic vitality of
the Pittsburgh region and a great partner to our schools and science-based businesses. Carole
and I were inspired by the future vision presented

* Klimovich Harrop, Joanne. "Carnegie Science Center changing name after receiving $65M gift."
TribLive.com: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2024 Jan. 23. First retrieved 2024 Jan. 24.

Reinherz, Adam. "Telescope building and tzedakah giving: Daniel and Carole Kamin deliver historic gift to Carnegie Museums."
Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle 2024 Jan. 25. First retrieved 2024 Jan. 26.
Science, and especially astronomy, have been lifelong fascinations, Daniel Kamin told the Chronicle.
“I actually built a telescope when I was around 13 years old (around 1955) in the basement of what was then the Buhl Science Center,” he said.
The experience prompted two queries: What exists beyond space and, if the universe began 13.8 billion years ago, what happened before that?
“Those are two questions that no one’s been able to answer,” he said.


Walsh, Glenn A. "Halley's Comet Aphelion - Farthest from Sun." Blog-Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2023 Dec. 9. First retrieved 2023 Dec. 9.
1910 – Astronomer John Brashear shows Halley's Comet to the general public, using telescopes in Pittsburgh's Riverview Park, on the front lawn of the Allegheny Observatory.
1985 & 1986 – Pittsburgh's Buhl Science Center shows Halley's Comet to the general public, using telescopes in the original Buhl Planetarium Observatory, including the historic 10-inch Siderostat-type Refractor Telescope.

Walsh, Glenn A. "$4.48 Million Mars Exhibit Opens in Pittsburgh." Blog-Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2023 Jan. 11. First retrieved 2023 Jan. 11.
Exhibit opened at The Carnegie Science Center.
Includes information regarding Mars exhibits that were displayed at the original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science / Buhl Science Center.
Mars was often the featured object shown to the public, particularly when Mars was close to Earth, in the original Buhl Planetarium Astronomical Observatory. Buhl's Astronomical Observatory was open for public observing every Friday evening 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. ET, weather-permitting, year-round---also, some Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings, weather-permitting, during the months of November through February (except the evenings of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, when the building was closed) each year.
In addition to the opening of Mars: The Next Giant Leap exhibit on November 19, November 19 also marked the 81st anniversary (Wednesday Evening, 1941 November 19) of the Astronomical Observatory at the original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science. The Astronomical Observatory's primary instrument was a rather unique, and now historic, 10-inch Siderostat-type Refractor Telescope (Property of the City of Pittsburgh).

Walsh, Glenn A. "Moonshot Space Museum Opens in Pittsburgh." Blog-Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2022 Oct. 22. First retrieved 2022 Oct. 22.
The grand public opening of the original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science occurred on 1939 October 25. The official dedication had occurred at 8:30 p.m. the previous evening, before an invitation-only list of VIPs. However, the dedication was broadcast on three Pittsburgh radio stations: KQV, KDKA, and WWSW.
Even The Carnegie Museum of Natural History opened on a day ending in “5”, but 5 days after October had ended. The Carnegie Institute, which includes The Carnegie Museum of Natural History and The Carnegie Library, as well as The Carnegie Music Hall and The Carnegie Museum of Art, opened to the public on 1895 November 5. Andrew Carnegie, a proud native of Scotland, chose November 5 to open some of his early libraries [including libraries in Homestead, Pennsylvania (1898) and Canton, Ohio (1905), in addition to Pittsburgh]. In Scotland, November 5 is known as Guy Fawkes Day, commemorating the failed plot (Gunpowder Plot of 1605) to blow-up the British Parliament and assassinate James Charles Stuart, who was Scotland's King James IV and King James I of England and Ireland (after the 1603 union of the English and Scottish Crowns).

Walsh, Glenn A. " Early Fri. Lunar Eclipse Longest in 1,000 Years." Blog-Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2021 Nov. 17. First retrieved 2021 Nov. 17.
This November 19 also marks the 80th anniversary of the Astronomical Observatory at the original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular (a.k.a. Buhl Science Center), Pittsburgh's science and technology museum from 1939 to 1991.

"Bengaluru: Preparations underway at Nehru Planetarium to observe tomorrow’s Solar Eclipse #Gallery." Photographs.
Socialnews.xyz 2020 June 20.
Photographs of a small telescope and a small coelostat to be used to view Annular Solar Eclipse of 2020 June 21 at Nehru Planetarium in India.

Walsh, Glenn A. "NASA Contest: Help Design Mini Moon Rovers By June 8." Blog-Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2020 May 12. First retrieved 2020 May 12.
Includes photograph of the Moon taken using the rather unique 10-inch Siderostat-type Refractor Telescope at the original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science (a.k.a Buhl Science Center - Pittsburgh's science and technology museum from 1939 to 1991).

Walsh, Glenn A. "Centennial: 'Great Debate' on Scale of Universe." Blog-Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2020 April 26. First retrieved 2020 April 26.
The 1920 "Great Debate" was between Harlow Shapley, who gave the keynote address at the 1941 dedication of the rather unique 10-inch Siderostat-type Refractor Telescope at the original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science (a.k.a. Buhl Science Center - Pittsburgh's science and technology museum from 1939 to 1991), and Heber D. Curtis who became Director of Pittsburgh's Allegheny Observatory later in 1920.

McMonagle, Haley. "Buhl Planetarium’s pioneering past."
The Northside Chronicle, Pittsburgh 2020 Jan. 1. First retrieved 2020 Feb. 13.
Editor's Note: The author of this Northside Chronicle article, Haley McMonagle, is the granddaughter of a former
Buhl Planetarium Floor Aide, Dewitt Peart, who is interviewed in this article (also includes a 1950s photograph of Dewitt Peart
explaining the Foucault Pendulum to a Cub Scout group).

Walsh, Glenn A. "World War II & Buhl Planetarium." Internet Web-Page.
History of The Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science, Pittsburgh 2017 Dec. 18.
Includes information regarding the original Buhl Planetarium Observatory.

Auth, Miriah. "Honors Program employs new assistant director."
The Globe, Point Park University, Pittsburgh 2017 Sept. 26.
Brendan Mullan, former Director of the Henry Buhl, Jr. Planetarium and Observatory at Pittsburgh's Carnegie Science Center, has been appointed as Assistant Director of the Point Park University Honors Program.

2017 August 21 - Public observing session for the Great American Solar Eclipse, co-sponsored by Friends of the Zeiss and the Mount Lebanon Public Library. The Mount Lebanon Public Library estimated public attendance at 300. Members of Friends of the Zeiss participating in this event were Glenn A. Walsh, Lynne S. Walsh, James McKee, and Josie Dougherty (eighth-grade student who had just attended NASA's Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama).

Walsh, Glenn A. "Great American Solar Eclipse Next Monday: Some Ways to See It Safely." Blog-Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2017 Aug. 14.
However, a Total Solar Eclipse did reach Hawaii on 1991 July 11. Most of the continental United States saw a Partial Eclipse of the Sun that day in 1991 (that was the last Solar Eclipse observed by the general public, using the historic 10-inch Siderostat-Type Refractor Telescope, at Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science).
For instance, in south suburban Pittsburgh, a public Eclipse viewing event will occur at the Mount Lebanon Public Library, 16 Castle Shannon Boulevard (near Washington Road) at the southern end of Mount Lebanon's Uptown business district (sponsored by Friends of the Zeiss).

Batz, Jr., Bob. "Even the partial eclipse can be totally fun at Pittsburgh-area events."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2017 Aug. 13.
The local hot spot to be for this one will be Carnegie Science Center on the North Shore, which is going all out with activities from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. that Monday.
With admission, Science Center guests can safely view it on equipment including a solar telescope. They can also watch live video feeds of the total eclipse in other places in the Science Stage, with commentary by center experts. There’ll even be a chance to use a solar telescope to take a photo with your mobile phone.
For an additional $5 ($3 for members), guests can get reserved seats in Buhl Planetarium for live feeds with commentary plus other shows and demonstrations, and those tickets come with a set of eclipse glasses.
The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh on the North Side is holding an “Eclipse Viewing Celebration from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Aug. 21. Guests will gather in front of the museum not just watch to directly through glasses, but also to hear eclipse folktales from around the world. In the museum’s Makeshop, guests can make their own pinhole projector to indirectly view the eclipse.
Mt. Lebanon Library’s 1 to 4 p.m. viewing party will include live feeds on a big screen indoors and, weather permitting, a safe-for-solar-viewing telescope provided by the Friends of the Zeiss (friendsofthezeiss.org).

Walsh, Glenn A. "Citizen Science: Aug. 21 Great American Solar Eclipse Mega-Movie Project." Blog-Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2017 July 24.
This is also the first time that Solar Eclipse totality has reached the continental United States since 1979 February 26. However, a Total Solar Eclipse did reach Hawaii on 1991 July 11. Most of the continental United States saw a Partial Eclipse of the Sun that day in 1991 (that was the last Solar Eclipse observed by the general public, using the historic 10-inch Siderostat-Type Refractor Telescope, at Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science).

Moore, Daniel. "Night Shift."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2017 May 21.
Mr. Whyel, a 65-year-old wireman for the Port Authority of Allegheny County, leads dual lives. During daylight hours, he is the grizzled borough manager of North Braddock, settling small-town grievances and leading Cub Scout meetings.
At night, he pulls on a navy jumpsuit and gloves, straps on a harness and hard hat, and surveys the thousands of lights that the regional transportation agency must maintain.
During the late 1980s and early 1990s, Carnegie Institute sponsored an annual "Insomniac Tour of Pittsburgh," which would take people to places throughout the city which were operating all night long. Most people who attended the tour indicated that the highlight of the tour was viewing celestial objects through the historic 10-inch Siderostat-Type Refractor Telescope at Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science, staffed by Glenn A. Walsh and John D. Weinhold.

Walsh, Glenn A. "Iconic Radio Telescope to be Moth-Balled?" Blog-Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2017 Jan. 13.
A very large and iconic radio telescope in West Virginia could be shuttered, with the possible loss of
National Science Foundation (NSF) funding in the near future.
One of the major facilities being considered for defunding is the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope
of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank, West Virginia.

Walsh, Glenn A. "Celestial Navigation Classes Return to Naval Academy After Absence of Nearly a Decade." Blog-Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2016 Dec. 7.
During World War II several planetaria, including Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science,
taught Celestial Navigation classes to military servicemen bound for service in the War. In fact, Buhl Planetarium
premiered a public planetarium program on Celestial Navigation, titled “Bombers By Starlight,” just two and
one-half weeks before the surprise Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on 1941 December 7 – 75 years ago, today.
This new “sky show” premiered on 1941 November 19, the same evening when famous astronomer Harlow Shapley
(then Director of the Harvard College Observatory) gave the keynote address at the dedication of Buhl Planetarium's
new, and rather unique, 10-inch Siderostat-Type Refractor Telescope. And after the sky show, a new Buhl Planetarium
gallery exhibit opened, with the-then intriguing title, “Can America Be Bombed?”
Special Note: This article was reprinted in the 2017 March issue (Volume 46, Number 1, Pages 56 to 58, of the .pdf file) of the
Quarterly Journal of the International Planetarium Society, Planetarian.

Friends of the Zeiss. "Astronomical Calendar: 2016 December." Blog-Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2016 Dec. 1.
Cover photograph: rare color photograph of the 1941 December 7 Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Caption also mentions opening of exhibit, "Can America Be Bombed?", at Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute
of Popular Science
two and one-half weeks earlier, along with dedication of the rather unique 10-inch Siderostat-Type Refractor Telescope.

Graham, Francis G. "155th Anniversary of Allegheny Observatory: The Very 1st Director." Blog-Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2016 Nov. 27.

Walsh, Glenn A. "Science Center Addition Omits Historic Telescope."
Public Statement Before Allegheny County Council.
Friends of the Zeiss 2016 Nov. 22.

Berger, Larry. Radio Interview Regarding 75th Anniversary of Buhl Planetarium Observatory. Audio: Radio Interview.
Saturday Light Brigade Radio Program: NeighborhoodVoices.org 2016 November 19.
Larry Berger, host of the Saturday Light Brigade children's / family radio program, interviewed Glenn A. Walsh on the
75th anniversary of the Astronomical Observatory of Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of
Popular Science, which was dedicated on 1941 November 19.

Walsh, Glenn A. "75th Anniversary: America's 5th Public Observatory." Blog-Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2016 Nov. 19.
75th anniversary of The People's Observatory of Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and
Institute of Popular Science, including the rather unique 10-inch Siderostat-Type Refractor Telescope.

Walsh, Glenn A. "Science Center Addition Omits Historic Telescope."
Public Statement Before Pittsburgh City Council.
Friends of the Zeiss 2016 Nov. 14.

Walsh, Glenn A. "Science Center Addition Omits Historic Telescope."
Public Statement Before Special Board Meeting of the Allegheny Regional Asset District Board of Directors.
Friends of the Zeiss 2016 Nov. 9.

Walsh, Glenn A. "Proposed Carnegie Science Center Addition Omits Historic Telescope." Blog-Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2016 Oct. 6.

Behrman, Elizabeth. "Buhl Planetarium telescope excluded from science center's expansion plans."
Tribune-Review, Pittsburgh 2016 Oct. 6.

Nelson Jones, Diana. "Planning Commission OKs plan to expand Carnegie Science Center."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2016 October 5.
The end of the article discusses Mr. Walsh's public statement before the City Planning Commission.

Walsh, Glenn A. "Science Center Master Plan: Siderostat Observatory Missing."
Public Statement Before the Pittsburgh City Planning Commission.
Friends of the Zeiss 2016 Oct. 4.

Meeting Agenda, Pittsburgh City Planning Commission
City of Pittsburgh 2016 Oct. 4.
Hearing and Action - Item "3": Proposed addition to The Carnegie Science Center.

"PROPOSED SCIENCE CENTER ADDITION OMITS HISTORIC TELESCOPE."
News Release Regarding Public Statement of Glenn A. Walsh Before the Pittsburgh City Planning Commission.
Friends of the Zeiss 2016 Oct. 4.

Metzger, Ann M. and Ronald J. Baillie. "Advancing STEM excellence." Letter-to-the-Editor.
Tribune-Review, Pittsburgh 2016 Oct. 2.

"Tuesday takes." Column: Tuesday takes
Tribune-Review, Pittsburgh 2016 Sept. 27.

Metzger, Ann M. and Ronald J. Baillie. "STEM improves education for all." Letter-to-the-Editor.
Tribune-Review, Pittsburgh 2016 Sept. 21.

Belko, Mark. "Carnegie Science Center expansion plans detailed."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2016 Sept. 21.

"Morning update: Pregnancy meds, big science and nowhere to run." Column: Morning update.
Tribune-Review, Pittsburgh 2016 Sept. 20.

Meeting Agenda, Pittsburgh City Planning Commission
City of Pittsburgh 2016 Sept. 20.
Briefing session - Item "c" of briefing: Proposed addition to The Carnegie Science Center.

Schooley, Tim. "Carnegie Science Center plans to start new pavilion next month."
Pittsburgh Business Times 2016 Sept. 16.

Walsh, Glenn A. "Library Park in Carnegie Borough to be Enhanced." Blog-Post.
LibraryWatchtower 2016 Aug. 20.
Library Park has been the host of several public events over the years, including encampments of Civil War re-enactors (affiliated with the Library's historic Civil War veterans' post museum) and even a public viewing of a Partial Eclipse of the Sun on 1998 February 26 (one of only two sites in Allegheny County for such a public viewing, and the only site outside of the City of Pittsburgh). [The 1998 Solar Eclipse public viewing was staffed by Glenn A. Walsh, former Astronomical Observatory Coordinator and Planetarium Lecturer of Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science (then, a Life Trustee on the Board of Trustees of the Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall in the Pittsburgh suburb of Carnegie, Pennsylvania) and John Weinhold, a former Buhl Planetarium Observatory Volunteer.]

Walsh, Glenn A. "Update: Historic Brashear Time Capsule." Blog Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2015 April 9.
Also includes information regarding the 37th Brashear telescope produced at the historic Brashear Telescope Factory,
which was donated to Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science in 1972.

Guza, Megan. "Manager of Pittsburgh Fringe Festival among Americans killed in Alps crash."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2015 March 25.
Pittsburgh Fringe founder and director Dan Stiker told the Trib the news is “still sinking in for all of us.”
“Emily was a delight and had a bright future,” he said. “I never would have imagined I would have to write anything
but a glowing recommendation letter for her.”
Pittsburgh Fringe Founder and Director Dan Stiker worked as a Floor Aide at Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium
and Institute of Popular Science, including assisting in Buhl's Astronomical Observatory, when he was in school.

Walsh, Glenn A. "Mullaney's Roster of 300 Night Sky Wonders Now On-Line." Blog Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2015 Feb. 6.
Compiled by James J. Mullaney, former Curator of Exhibits and Astronomy at Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science.

Walsh, Glenn A. "Buhl Planetarium Scale-Model Joins Miniature Railroad and Village." Blog Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2014 Nov. 27.
For the 75th anniversary of Buhl Planetarium, the 2014 opening of the Miniature Railroad and Village at The Carnegie Science Center includes a scale model of Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science building.

"DEC. 4 – PUBLIC VIEWING, VIA WEB-CAST, OF 1st NASA TEST LAUNCH
OF NEW ORION DEEP-SPACE VEHICLE AT MT. LEBANON PUBLIC LIBRARY."
News Release.
Friends of the Zeiss 2014 Nov. 24.

Gormly, Kellie B. "Carnegie Science Center adds legendary Buhl Planetarium to railroad village."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review On-Line 2014 Nov. 20.

Carnegie Science Center added 3 new photos on Facebook Facebook Micro-Blog Post.
Carnegie Science Center 2014 Nov. 19.
A scale model of the original building of Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science
is added to other scale models of Pittsburgh historic structures on the platform of the Miniature Railroad and Village,
which started display at Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium in 1954 and now is displayed at Pittsburgh's Carnegie
Science Center.

Radio Interviews (2) of Glenn A. Walsh Regarding the 75th Anniversary of Buhl Planetarium -
* "Preview: Buhl Planetarium 75th Anniversary." The Saturday Light Brigade / Neighborhood Voices.
WRCT-FM 88.3 Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh (and network of 5 Western Pennsylvania and
Eastern Ohio college radio stations) 2014 Oct. 25.
Radio interview occurred in the studios of The Saturday Light Brigade, located in Bowdish Gallery of
Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science building.
* "Wednesday Rundown: Celebrating the Birthday of the Original Buhl Projector." Essential Pittsburgh.
WESA-FM 90.5 Pittsburgh 2014 Oct. 22.

Walsh, Glenn A. "75th Anniversary of America's 5th Major Planetarium." Blog Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2014 Oct. 24.

Walsh, Glenn A. "Solar Eclipse on Eve of Buhl Planetarium's 75th Anniversary." Blog Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2014 Oct. 21.

Walsh, Glenn A. "100 Years Ago: Planetarium Concept Born ." Blog Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2014 Feb. 24.

Walsh, Glenn A. "Northside Chronicle: Buhl Planetarium Turns 75." Blog Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2014 Feb. 8.
The 2014 February edition of North Side Pittsburgh's monthly newspaper, The Northside Chronicle,
includes a feature article on the 75th year of Pittsburgh's Buhl Planetarium.

Douty, Kristin. "Buhl Planetarium turns 75."
The Northside Chronicle On-Line, Pittsburgh 2014 Jan. 30.

Walsh, Glenn A. "Dobsonian Telescope Inventor Dies." Blog Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2014 Jan. 16.
Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science (a.k.a. Buhl Science Center) purchased a 13-inch Dobsonian Reflector Telescope in the Autumn of 1985, to assist in public viewing of the 1985-1986 apparition of Halley's Comet, during Buhl's "Halley Watch" program.

Walsh, Glenn A. "Laserium: 40th Anniversary."
SpaceWatchtower 2013 Nov. 19.
Today (November 19) marks the 40th anniversary of the musical concert set to laser lights known as Laserium, once seen in many planetaria worldwide, including Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science (a.k.a. Buhl Science Center). As Laserium is considered the first on-going laser show that was not part of a special or one-time event, it is also thought that Laserium launched the international laser display industry.
November 19 marks another anniversary for Buhl Planetarium. On the evening of 1941 November 19, Buhl Planetarium's third-floor Astronomical Observatory (originally known as The People's Observatory) opened to the general public with the dedication of the rather unique 10-inch Siderostat-type Refractor Telescope.

Walsh, Glenn A. "Former Buhl Planetarium Curator Jim Mullaney To Be On National Radio." Blog Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2013 June 26.

Walsh, Glenn A. "New Mullaney Book: "Celebrating the Universe!" Blog Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2013 May 18.
A new book, Celebrating the Universe!, introduces the reader to the wonders of the celestial heavens, with a focus on the "soul" of the night sky. The author, James Mullaney, is a lifelong astronomer who has served as Curator of Exhibits and Astronomy at Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science and Staff Astronomer at the Allegheny Observatory. He was also Director of the DuPont Planetarium on the campus of the University of South Carolina, Aiken.
James Mullaney has authored several books and publications including the classic, The Finest Deep-Sky Objects (with Wally McCall, reprint from the Sky and Telescope Magazine,1978), The Cambridge Atlas of Herschel Objects (with Wil Tirion, 2009), and Star Checking Your Edmund Telescope (1977).

Walsh, Glenn A. "1938 Fireball Explosion Over W PA Remembered." Blog Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2013 March 11.
About 6 p.m. June 24, 1938, a huge fireball exploded over the small borough of Chicora, Pennsylvania. At first, the commotion was thought to have been caused by an explosion in a nearby building used to store gunpowder.
Had it progressed closer to Earth before exploding, note the studies, it would have destroyed much of nearby Pittsburgh and resulted in very few survivors. (Special Note: When this event happened, Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science was under construction, in the center of the North Side's business district.)
The fist-size meteor fragments were split into two collections, one set going to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington and the other to the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh.

Walsh, Glenn A. "Preservation? Buhl Planetarium & Schenley High School." Blog Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2013 Feb. 21.
Although the Zeiss II Planetarium Projector is now on display at The Carnegie Science Center, it no longer does what is does best: a second-to-none, realistic depiction of the planets and stars in the night sky. The 10-inch Siderostat-type Refractor Telescope and most other artifacts remain in storage, benefiting no one.

Walsh, Glenn A. "Astronomer's Son Wins Nobel Prize in Economics ." Blog Posting.
SpaceWatchtower 2012 Oct. 16.
"Lloyd S. Shapley, Professor Emeritus of the University of California at Los Angeles and son of distinguished 20th century astronomer Harlow Shapley, has won the 2012 Nobel Prize in Economics, sharing the prize with Alvin E. Roth of Harvard University...
"Harlow Shapley also supported planetaria and science museums. While Director of the Harvard College Observatory, he delivered the keynote address at the dedication of the rare 10-inch Siderostat-type Refractor Telescope at Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science on 1941 November 19."

Walsh, Glenn A. "Centennial: New Allegheny Observatory Dedication ." Blog Posting.
SpaceWatchtower 2012 Aug. 28.
Both Henry Clay Frick and Andrew Carnegie made large contributions toward the construction of the new Allegheny Observatory.
Also, John Brashear accompanied Andrew Carnegie to the dedication of the Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall,
in Carnegie, Pennsylvania, on 1902 April 22.
"Previously, research observatories would, from time-to-time, allow the public to tour the facility and look through the research telescopes, particularly during special astronomical events such as a bright comet or a lunar eclipse. The idea of a "public observatory" did not begin to be somewhat common until the 1930s, with the advent of astronomical observatories built in conjunction with other public education facilities such as planetaria and science museums. Observatories built in conjunction with Philadelphia's Franklin Institute/Fels Planetarium (1933), Los Angeles' Griffith Observatory and Planetarium (1935), and Pittsburgh's Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science (1941) were the earliest such public observatories.
"In his autobiography, John Brashear writes, "In my early struggles to gain a knowledge of the stars, I made a resolution that if ever an opportunity offered or I could make such an opportunity, I should have a place where all the people who loved the stars could enjoy them;...and the dear old thirteen-inch telescope, by the use of which so many discoveries were made, is also given up to the use of the citizens of Pittsburgh, or, for that matter, citizens of the world." With the new Allegheny Observatory containing two new, large research telescopes, there no longer was a major research purpose for the original, smaller telescope, or for that matter, for the construction of a third telescope dome.
"However, Dr. Brashear felt so strongly that a telescope should be reserved for public use, he made sure that the original 13-inch telescope was mounted in a third dome designed for public use. Hence, the 1912 Allegheny Observatory building may truly be considered the first "public observatory," constructed in conjunction with a two-dome research observatory!"

Walsh, Glenn A. "Telstar Satellite Accidentally "Nuked" 50 Years Ago." Blog Posting.
SpaceWatchtower 2012 July 12.
Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science displayed a model of Telstar 1, first in an AT&T exhibit, and then in Buhl's Siderostat Observatory.

Walsh, Glenn A. "Buhl Planetarium Poem by Ann Curran." Blog Posting.
SpaceWatchtower 2012 May 3.
Poem "At the Late Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science," written by Pittsburgh Poet and
former Buhl Planetarium employee Ann Curran, who held a poetry reading at the Main Branch of
The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh on 2012 April 15.
Observatory remembrance in poem.

Walsh, Glenn A. "Former Buhl Planetarium & Observatory Lecturer Bestowed as Kent State University Professor Emeritus."
Blog Posting.
SpaceWatchtower 2012 Feb. 17.

Walsh, Glenn A. "Former Buhl Science Center President Dies." Obituary.
SpaceWatchtower 2012 Jan. 29.
Joshua Whetzel, who transformed Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science and spearheaded
construction of The Carnegie Science Center, dies at age 90.

Walsh, Glenn A. "70th Anniversary: Buhl Planetarium Observatory." Blog Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2011 Nov. 19.

Lowry, Patricia. "City's Friendship Quilt back for show."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2009 Jan. 24.
Great Pittsburgh Friendship Quilt, created at Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium in 1988,
found in basement of Carnegie Science Center's original
SportsWorks/warehouse building, after being unseen for 20 years.
Quilt includes quilt strip dedicated to original Buhl Planetarium Observatory.

"Planning commission OKs several requests."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2008 Sept. 24.
Boren, Jeremy. "Panel approves South Side restaurant."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2008 Sept. 24.
City Planning Commission approved Science Center Master Plan,
after Carnegie Science Center Interim Co-Director Ron Baillie stated
that failure of the Master Plan to show a Siderostat Observatory on the
roof of the proposed 80,000 square-foot west building addition was simply
because planning for the building addition had not yet reached that "level of
detail." At the request of the City Planning Commission, Mr. Baillie also agreed
to provide the Commission with a copy of the legal Memorandum of Understanding,
between the City and the Science Center, which states that the Science Center
agreed to reassemble and reuse the 10-inch Siderostat-type Refractor Telescope
on their expansion of the Science Center building.

Walsh, Glenn A. "Science Center Master Plan: Siderostat Observatory Missing."
Address. Pittsburgh City Planning Commission 2008 Sept. 23.
Also see: PAT Purchases and Will Demolish Science Center Warehouse, Where Historic Buhl Planetarium Artifacts are Stored, including Siderostat Telescope.

Transit of the Planet Venus Across Image of Sun - 2004 June 8
Friends of the Zeiss sponsored the only observing session of this historic event
in the City of Pittsburgh, open to the general public, in conjunction with
the Society for the Preservation of the Duquesne Heights Incline.

2001 November 19 marks the 60th anniversary of the Astronomical Observatory of
The Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science !

Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science / Buhl Science Center Astronomical Observatory SkyWatch -
Thursday, 1986 June 12 to Saturday, 1991 August 31 - Every Friday evening 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. ET, weather-permitting, year-round.
Also, some Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings, weather-permitting, during the months of November through February (except the evenings of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, when the building was closed) each year.
Walsh, Glenn A. "$4.48 Million Mars Exhibit Opens in Pittsburgh." Blog-Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2023 Jan. 11. First retrieved 2023 Jan. 11.
Exhibit opened at The Carnegie Science Center.
Includes information regarding Mars exhibits that were displayed at the original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science / Buhl Science Center.
Mars was often the featured object shown to the public, particularly when Mars was close to Earth, in the original Buhl Planetarium Astronomical Observatory. Buhl's Astronomical Observatory was open for public observing every Friday evening 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. ET, weather-permitting, year-round---also, some Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings, weather-permitting, during the months of November through February (except the evenings of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, when the building was closed) each year.
In addition to the opening of Mars: The Next Giant Leap exhibit on November 19, November 19 also marked the 81st anniversary (Wednesday Evening, 1941 November 19) of the Astronomical Observatory at the original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science. The Astronomical Observatory's primary instrument was a rather unique, and now historic, 10-inch Siderostat-type Refractor Telescope (Property of the City of Pittsburgh).

Dyke, Barb V., et.al. "Saturn Through the Buhl Planetarium Heliostat."
Report of the Alternative Curriculum Astronomy Workshop,
The Tripoli Federation, Pittsburgh 1975 April 2.


Other Internet Web Sites of Interest

History of Andrew Carnegie and Carnegie Libraries

History of Astronomer, Educator, and Optician John A. Brashear, Friend of Andrew Carnegie

History of The Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science, Pittsburgh -

Including the oldest operable major planetarium projector in the world !

History of The Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum, Chicago - America's First Major Planetarium !

The Duquesne Incline, Pittsburgh - Historic Cable Car Railway Serving Commuters and Tourists since 1877 !

Antique Telescope Society

Other History Links


Authored By Glenn A. Walsh
Sponsored By Friends of the Zeiss

This Internet Web Page: < http://buhlplanetarium2.tripod.com >
Internet Web Cover Page: < http://www.planetarium.cc >
Electronic Mail: < siderostat@planetarium.cc >

Internet Web Site Master Index for the History of
The Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science, Pittsburgh

SOLAR ECLIPSE / ECLIPSE OF THE SUN:
TIPS FOR SAFE VIEWING ---
Link 1 *** Link 2

Quick Reference Page -
Science

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) -
Astronomy and Other Sciences


Disclaimer Statement: This Internet Web Site is not affiliated with the Andrew Carnegie Free Library,
Ninth Pennsylvania Reserves Civil War Reenactment Group, Henry Buhl, Jr. Planetarium and Observatory/Buhl Digital Dome,
The Carnegie Science Center, The Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh/Carnegie Institute, or The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.

This Internet, World Wide Web Site administered by Glenn A. Walsh.
Unless otherwise indicated, all pages in this web site are --
© Copyright 1999 to 2011, Glenn A. Walsh, All Rights Reserved.
The author thanks The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and the Carnegie Library Community Network/Three Rivers Free-Net
for use of their digital scanner and other computer equipment, and other assistance provided in the production of this web site.
Contact Web Site Administrator: siderostat@planetarium.cc

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