Have a Question About Astronomy or Other Sciences ?
Ask an Expert from Friends of the Zeiss !
Several members of
Friends of the Zeiss, some of them former employees or volunteers of
The Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science in Pittsburgh, are available to answer questions on Astronomy, Earth and Space Sciences, Meteorology, Optics, and other Physical Sciences. These experts include:
*
Francis Glenn Graham, Professor of Physics and Astronomy,
Kent State University. Professor Graham was a long-time
Planetarium Lecturer at Pittsburgh's original
Buhl Planetarium,
where he operated the historic
Zeiss II Planetarium Projector, which prior to its 2002 dismantling was the
oldest operable major planetarium projector in the world ! He was Founder of the
American Lunar Society in the 1980s and is Director of the Christine Alley Observatory, a private observatory in East Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is also a member of the Steering Committee of
Friends of the Zeiss.
Weblog by, and Photograph of, Professor Graham
Selected Astronomical Observations Recorded by Professor Graham:
1983 (Conjunction: Jupiter, Uranus),
2004 (Transit of Venus),
2005 (Very Slight Eclipse of Sun),
2005 (Partial Eclipse of Moon)
* Eric G. Canali, Former Floor Manager, Buhl Planetarium. Mr. Canali also is Founder and Manager of the
South Hills Backyard Astronomers amateur astronomy club.
*
Glenn A. Walsh, former
Coordinator of the Buhl Planetarium Observatory and
Buhl Planetarium Lecturer. Mr. Walsh also
created and managed Buhl Planetarium's Embryology Exhibit, including the weekly hatching of chicks and occasionally ducklings; so, he can also field some Life Sciences questions.
It is simple to ask a question; just send your question to this e-mail address:
< FAQ@planetarium.cc >
You will receive a response within 48 hours. If your question cannot be answered within that time, you will be advised when an answer can be expected. You will then receive your answer by electronic mail. And, that answer (excluding your name and e-mail address) will be added to the
Friends of the Zeiss FAQ answer page.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) -
Astronomy and Other Sciences
The following are the questions and answers to some frequently asked questions, in the fields of Astronomy and other Sciences. After reading the answer, if you
need more information or a clarification, or if you have a question not covered in this FAQ, send your question to the following electronic mail address:
< FAQ@planetarium.cc >
FAQ Index
Astronomical Calendar
Astronomy -- General
Star or Planet ? What is that very bright, star-like object in the sky?
Moon Illusion: Why does the Moon look so large when it is low in the sky?
NASA: 2005 ***
NASA: 2007
How do you form an Amateur Astronomers' club?
What is an Astronomer?
Great Moon Hoax of 1835 (Life Discovered on the Moon!):
Link 1 ***
Link 2
The Origins Of The Man In The Moon
(2006 Feb. 9 - Space.com)
The Seasons of the Year
Summer --
What is the significance of the "Summer Solstice"? Why do our days get longer until June 21, then they get shorter?
Explanation ***
Diagram (c) 2005 E.G.Canali
What is a "Cross-Quarter Day" ?
What is the Astronomical significance of Halloween, All-Saints Day, and All-Souls Day?
Link 1 ***
Link 2 ***
Link 3 ***
Link 4
Time
History of Standard Time
Link 1 ***
Link 2
Daylight Saving Time
How long has Daylight Saving Time been in use?
What is the Leap Year Pattern?
What is the origin of the Seven-Day Week?
Atmospheric/Meteorology
Lunar Halos: What is a Ring or Circle Around the Moon? -
First Question ***
Second Question
Photographs (by Julie Hall) of Lunar Halo in Crossville, Tennessee on the evening of 2007 January 29:
Photo 1 ***
Photo 2
What is a Rainbow?
Lightning Behind Clouds ? "Heat Lightning" ?
Earth Sciences and Geology
How do you determine the correction for a magnetic compass?
Optics
How long does it take to cool a large mirror being produced
for one of the world??s largest astronomical telescopes?
Miscellaneous
Historic 1938 radio broadcast of
The War of the Worlds
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 -
Which Housed 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 !
Other
History Links
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,
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
2004,
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: <
FAQ@planetarium.cc >.
Last modified : Friday, 02-Nov-2007 15:34:20 EDT.
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