CURRENT NEWS:
Buhl Planetarium / Friends of the Zeiss
Astronomy, Space, and other Sciences
Buhl Planetarium/Friends of the Zeiss-Related News
Current Buhl Planetarium/Friends of the Zeiss-Related Issues
*
"Fall Arts Preview:
Head out and have fun at these Pittsburgh places."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2010 Sept. 9.
CARNEGIE SCIENCE CENTER
One Allegheny Ave., North Side. 412-237-3400
EXHIBITS: Astronomy Exhibits in Buhl Digital Planetarium lobby -- Newton's Hockey, Hologram Planets,
Planetary Weights (opens Oct. 7); Zeiss Model II Star Projector Exhibit -- Historical
Zeiss planetarium projector from the original Buhl Planetarium and interactive exhibits (ongoing);
Miniature Railroad & Village (opening Nov. 20); If a Starfish Can Grow a New Arm, Why Can't I? --
Exhibit focuses on tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (ongoing).
* Smith, Pohla.
"Star projector returns to the spotlight at Pittsburgh's science center."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2010 July 14.
* Smith, Pohla.
"Facts about the Zeiss Model II Star Projector."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2010 July 14.
* Walsh, Glenn A.
"Zeiss II Projector Exhibit at CSC." Electronic Mail Group Message.
Friends of the Zeiss Mail-Group 2010 July 10.
*
"Zeiss Star Projector shines in new exhibition at Science Center."
The South Pittsburgh Reporter 2010 July 6.
* Mitchell, Ellen.
"Old Buhl Planetarium's projector still draws fans."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2010 July 2: B3.
* Walsh, Glenn A.
"Zeiss Projector Exhibit Opens at CSC." Electronic Mail-Group Message.
South Hills Backyard Astronomers Mail-Group 2010 July 1.
*
"Old Star Projector Part of Science Center Exhibit." Video News Report.
KDKA-TV 2, Pittsburgh 2010 July 1.
(Search KDKA-TV 2 video library, at this link, using search terms "star projector".)
*
"Carnegie Science Center PRESENTS Iconic Zeiss Star Projector
in New Historic Exhibition." News Release.
The Carnegie Science Center 2010 June 30.
Display of historic Buhl Planetarium Zeiss II Planetarium Projector, in Carnegie Science Center
Atrium Gallery, begins 2010 July 1.
McCoy, Adrian.
"Home sweet home: Things to do locally this summer."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2010 May 14.
"The Zeiss projector enchanted generations of kids on field trips to the original Buhl Planetarium.
The Zeiss is moving to its new home at the Kamin (Carnegie) Science Center, where visitors can learn about
the history of this planetarium projection technology...
"CARNEGIE SCIENCE CENTER
One Allegheny Ave., North Side. 412-237-3400.
EXHIBITS: Zeiss Exhibit -- The Zeiss II Star Projector from the original Buhl Planetarium
moves to its new home in the Science Center Atrium, along with interactive exhibits that
highlight the technology used at the time (opens in July);..."
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Zeiss to be Reassembled: Science Center Announcement." News Release.
Friends of the Zeiss 2009 Aug. 18.
Friends of the Zeiss statement regarding Carnegie Science Center announcement
that historic Zeiss II Planetarium Projector would be reassembled as exhibit, to be
displayed in Carnegie Science Center atrium by late 2010.
Huge Robot Exhibit To Prevent Display of Zeiss II Planetarium Projector
On 2008 April 9, Carnegie Science Center officials announced a new permanent
exhibit, "RoboWorld," will be installed in what was used as space for traveling exhibits
on the second floor of the Science Center. When completed, the exhibit "will be the
largest and most comprehensive robotics exhibit anywhere in the nation," said Science
Center Director Joanna Haas. The exhibit will include Carnegie Mellon University's
Robot Hall of Fame.
In 2002, Science Center officials had promised the City of Pittsburgh that some of this
second floor space, near the
Henry Buhl, Jr. Planetarium (now also known as the
Buhl Digital Dome), would be used for a
"Final Frontier" exhibit, which would include
display of the historic
Zeiss II Planetarium Projecctor,
the
oldest, operable major planetarium projector in the world prior to its 2002
October dismantling. Also included in the
"Final Frontier" exhibit was to be another original
Buhl Planetarium artifact, the large
Mercator's Projection Map of the World, which was considered
the world's largest such map when first installed at the 1939 to 1940 World's Fair in
New York City.
The
"Final Frontier" exhibit, which was not supposed to be dependent on the
proposed $90 million expansion project which was cancelled in May of 2003, has never
been developed. Nor has there been any word about the future of this proposed exhibit,
which was a major reason why the City of Pittsburgh permitted the Science Center to
remove the
Zeiss II Planetarium Projecctor and the large
Mercator's Projection Map of the World from the original Buhl Planetarium building.
Now it seems this large, new, permanent robotics exhibit will preclude the ability to
install the
"Final Frontier" exhibit next to the
Henry Buhl, Jr. Planetarium.
Friends of the Zeiss has always contended that the best place for the historic
Buhl Planetarium artifacts
is the original Buhl Planetarium building, the only place
(due to custom-construction of the building) where the
Zeiss II Planetarium Projecctor and the
10-inch Siderostat-type Refractor Telescope can be fully unitlized
to teach science to children visiting the Children's Museum.
*
"Zeiss projector restoration."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2002 Dec. 30.
Regarding proposed "Final Frontier" exhibit.
McCoy, Adrian.
"Science Center's 'roboworld' displays real and famous robots in traveling exhibit."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2009 June 14.
Baillie, Ronald J. and Ann M. Metzger.
"Robots R Us, Robotics play a key role in Pittsburgh's present and future." Op-Ed.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2009 June 10.
Ronald J. Baillie and Ann M. Metzger are co-directors of The Carnegie Science Center.
Machosky, Michael.
"Carnegie Science Center adds Roboworld to permanent exhibits."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2009 June 10.
* Walsh, Glenn A. "Science Center Space Lost for Display of Planetarium Artifacts."
Address. Pittsburgh City Council. 2008 April 29.
Prepared Text ***
Large-Print Version
* Walsh, Glenn A. "Science Center Space Lost for Display of Planetarium Artifacts."
Address. Board of Directors, Allegheny Regional Asset District. 2008 April 28.
Prepared Text ***
Large-Print Version
* Graham, Francis.
"
Science Center Space Lost for Display of Planetarium Artifacts."
Letter. To City and County Public Officials. 2008 April 24.
*
"CMU'S ROBOT HALL OF FAME."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2008 April 19.
* Templeton,, David.
"Robots coming to life in 2009 exhibit."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2008 April 10.
* Houser, Mark.
"Roboworld could cement 'Burgh as robotics capital."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2008 April 10.
* Houser, Mark.
"Robot exhibit coming to Carnegie Science Center."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review On-Line 2008 April 9.
*
"Carnegie Science Center will open comprehensive robotics exhibition."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2008 April 7.
* Houser, Mark.
"CMU at forefront in building thinking machines."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2008 April 6.
*
"What is artificial intelligence?."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2008 April 6.
*
"Will A.I. work lead to robots taking over the world?"
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2008 April 6.
* Houser, Mark.
"Robots do a little networking."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2008 April 9.
* 2008 Feb. -
Recent News of Controversy Regarding "Bodies...the Exhibition"
at The Carnegie Science Center,
Including claims of use of bodies of Chinese political prisoners
by the ABC-TV news show "20/20."
* NASA Space Shuttle Atlantis Mission STS-122 Updates
Click Here --
Mission STS-122
commanded by Pittsburgh-area native
Stephen N. Frick, who was inspired by
Pittsburgh's original
Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science.
* Walsh, Glenn A.
Letters-to-the-Editor:
"About my views." (Last letter of six letters on web page)
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2008 March 29.
Response to
letter-to-the-editor personal attack,
regarding both
Carnegie Library and
Buhl Planetarium,
published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on 2008 January 1.
Original, more detailed response was e-mailed to the
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on 2008 January 5.
* Demko, David and Kimmel, Joan.
"Belated opposition," Letters-to-the-Editor
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2008 Jan. 1
(Fifth letter of seven on web page)
Glenn A. Walsh Reply (to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette by electronic mail)
to Personal Attack in "Belated opposition" Letter-to-the-Editor,
Regarding BOTH Carnegie Library and Buhl Planetarium.
***
PAT plans to pay $5 million for the Science Center Warehouse Building
(formerly Miller Printing Company), across the street from The Carnegie Science
Center, which includes the popular SportsWorks exhibit, to build an elevated
"Allegheny Station" Light Rail Transit station (part of subway expansion
to the North Side).
Also, housed, in this warehouse building, are
several historic pieces of equipment
and artifacts from Pittsburgh's original
Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular
Science, including the
Zeiss II Planetarium Projector, the
oldest operable major
planetarium projector in the world !!!
***
* 2007 July 21 -
Allegheny Square Plaza Rehabilitation Proposals
Earlier known as Diamond Square and Ober Park, Allegheny Public Square
is the site of the original town square of Allegheny City, in front of the
original
Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science and caddy-corner to America's
first publicly-funded Carnegie Library,
Carnegie Free Library of Allegheny.
** GIANT SUNDIAL SCULPTURE
** RESTORATION OF HISTORIC ASTRONOMICAL INSCRIPTION,
FROM THE BIBLE,
ORIGINALLY ON BUHL PLANETARIUM'S EAST EXTERIOR WALL
** ALLEGHENY SQUARE FOUNTAIN AND AMPHITHEATER
***
* 2007 Dec. 27 - NOTICE:
Pittsburgh City Council votes to allow abandonment of America's first publicly-funded
Carnegie Library, Allegheny Regional Branch, The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
(formerly Carnegie Free Library of Allegheny), next-door to Pittsburgh's original
Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science.
***
2007 - 2008 -
News of Controversy Regarding 2007-2008 Exhibit
of Human Cadavers at The Carnegie Science Center
Carnegie Science Center Education Division employee Elaine Catz resigned
her employment due to unanswered questions regarding a traveling exhibit
of human cadavers, from China, which will be displayed in The Carnegie
Science Center for a seven-month run beginning in 2007 October. In the early
1990s, The Carnegie Science Center sold-off Buhl Planetarium's human
anatomy exhibit/presentation,
"
Transpara the Talking Glass Lady," to be used for
spare parts for a similar exhibit at the Health Museum of Cleveland.
***
* 2007 - 2008 -
News Related to Casino Development Next to Carnegie Science Center --
Carnegie Science Center has complained that light from new casino,
which will be next-door to Science Center, might harm viewing at
Science Center's rooftop observatory. In Summer of 2007, an agreement
was reached, which assures continued use of the Science Center observatory.
*
Latest news on construction of subway link to serve Pittsburgh's Lower North Side
(where industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie grew-up),
including original Carnegie Free Library of Allegheny (nation's first
publicly-funded Carnegie Library), Carnegie Hall (world's first Carnegie Hall),
and original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science.
Also:
* News Regarding Pittsburgh Public Transit Agency's (PAT) Service Cuts Effective 2007 June 17,
Fare Increase Effective 2008 January 1.
***
Current Buhl Planetarium / Friends of the Zeiss-Related News
Tognetti, Laurence.
"Studying Stars from the Lunar Surface with MoonLITE, Courtesy of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services."
Universe Today 2024 Sept. 15. First retrieved 2024 Sept. 17.
Proposal includes the deployment on the Moon of a "Siderostat Station".
Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium included a now-
historic 10-inch Siderostat-type Refractor Telescope.
Walker, Karen.
"Buzz Words: Local teams set to compete for adult literacy."
StateCollege.com 2024 Aug. 26. First retrieved 2024 Sept. 2.
"I was the last speller standing in the 1981 eighth-grade spelling bee at Butler Junior High School. This distinction won me an official
“Achievement in Spelling” certificate and a trip to Buhl Planetarium in Pittsburgh for the next level of competition."
Several rounds of the Western Pennsylvania Spelling Bee took place in the
Lecture Hall / Little Science Theater (LST) of Pittsburgh's
original Buhl Planetarium.
Forstadt, Jillian.
"Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh employees launch unionization campaign."
WESA-FM 90.5 Pittsburgh 2024 March 25. First retrieved 2024 March 26.
The original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science building is being used by the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh.
$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.
Silverman, Julie.
"Stargazing: Buhl Planetarium turns 84." Column: Stargazing.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2023 Oct. 24. First retrieved 2023 Dec. 4.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Centennial: Projection Planetarium." Blog-Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2023 Oct. 21. First retrieved 2023 Oct. 21.
Silverman, Julie.
"Stargazing: 100 years of viewing the planets and night skies — indoors." Column: Stargazing.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2023 Oct. 3. First retrieved 2023 Oct. 16.
The Zeiss “Mark 2” that graced the original Buhl Planetarium remains on display at Carnegie Science Center.
Lott, Ethan.
"Almost back: Attendance rebounds at many Pittsburgh museums and cultural attractions, but not all."
Pittsburgh Business Times / WPXI-TV 11, Pittsburgh 2023 Oct. 2. First retrieved 2023 Oc t. 4.
In fact, 20 of the top 26 attractions on the List of Pittsburgh-area Museums and Cultural Attractions, which just published,
grew admittance from 2022 to 2023.
Big gainers included the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, which almost doubled attendance, the Sen. John Heinz History Center, up 77%,
and the Carnegie Science Center, up 50%. Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens grew 38% and the
Carnegie Museum of Art and Carnegie Museum of Natural History, which share admission, grew 23%.
Spray, Aaron.
"Going Under: Here Are 10 Of The Best Submarine Museums In The US."
TheTravel.com 2023 Aug. 13. First retrieved 2023 Aug. 14.
The Travel.com rates USS Requin 3rd best submarine museum in USA ! After moving to Pittsburgh from Tampa in 1990 August,
the USS Requin submarine museum was operated by the Buhl Science Center until The Carnegie Science Center opened 1991 October 5.
"Free Teen Memberships @ Carnegie Museums."
Kidsburgh.org 2023 July 13.
The Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh are offering free Teen Membership to all teens (13 to 18 years) who are residents of Pennsylvania.
Teens under 18 just need the consent of parents or legal guardians in order to apply. Once they apply, teens get:
* free general admission to Carnegie Museum of Art, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Carnegie Science Center, and The Andy Warhol Museum
* invitations to events and programming designed just for teen members
* free reciprocal admission at 300+ ASTC museums and science centers
* discounts on classes, camps, educational films at the Rangos Giant Cinema, laser shows, lectures, and special events
* a 10% discount in museum stores and cafes (and a 20% store discount during Member Shopping Days)
This perk is kids only: Teen membership benefits don’t extend to parents, guardians, caregivers, household members, or additional guests.
More information & application
Walsh, Glenn A. "Visit Original Buhl Planetarium & Carnegie Free Library of Allegheny Buildings FREE throughout 2023 August !" Post: Facebook Group: Buhl Science Center.
Facebook 2023 July 11.
If you would like to visit the original Buhl Planetarium and
Carnegie Free Library of Allegheny,
buildings, FOR FREE --- The Allegheny Regional Asset District (a.k.a. RAD) has just
announced that all visits to the Children's Museum (including MuseumLab, in the original
Carnegie Free Library of Allegheny, America's first publicly-funded Carnegie Library), Heinz History Center, and Andy Warhol Museum will be FREE-OF-CHARGE
throughout the entire month of August !!!
This is in celebration for all three museums winning honors in USA Today's
10 Best Readers' Choice Awards.
* Children's Museum: 2nd best in Children's Museums
* Heinz History Center: 2nd best in History Museums
* Andy Warhol Museum: 4th best in Art Museums
Pittsburgh was the only city to see three different museums honored in the top five!
Although vists are free, reservations are recommended, but not required.
More Info
Sunday, 2023 July 2:
Obituary & Photograph for Michael J. Orban, former developer and curator of the Miniature Railroad and Village
at the Buhl Science Center and later at
The Carnegie Science Center. (1957 to 2023)
Posted to Legacy.com and Facebook.com by Glenn A. Walsh. 2023 July 9:
Mike Orban was a great developer and curator for the Miniature Railroad and Village at the Buhl Science Center and later at
The Carnegie Science Center. He was the successor to the originators: Charles Bowdish who developed the original "Railroad" in
Brookville PA in 1920 and Carl Wapiennik who brought the "Railroad" to Buhl Planetarium in 1954. And, Mike was a good friend. He
provided me most of the historical photographs I used for the history web-page of the Miniature Railroad on my History of Buhl Planetarium web-site:
Link >>> https://buhlplanetarium3.tripod.com/MiniRR.htm
My sincere sympathies to you and your family, Katie.
"Ruth Kunze Obituary." Classified Obituary.
Post Register, Idaho Falls ID / Legacy.com 2023 June 15. First retrieved 2023 June 16.
In the fall of 1950, she began attending the University of Pittsburgh and graduated with a degree in elementary education in 1955. Ruth also completed her Master's Degree in Library Science in 1970 from the University of Utah.
While attending the University of Pittsburgh
Ruth met her soon-to-be husband Jay Kunze, when they were both employed as aides at the Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science.
Ruth soon purchased a home on Westhill Ave in Idaho Falls where she continued to be a school librarian until she left education in 1987.
Unionizing Museums & Planetaria ---
"Largest museum union in the US ratifies its first contract."
TheArtNewspaper.com 2023 June 12. First retrieved 2023 June 14.
More than 500 workers at the Carnegie Museums in Pittsburgh voted to ratify their first contract after 18 months of negotiations.
This incudes the new Henry Buhl, Jr. Planetarium and Observatory at
The Kamin (Carnegie) Science Center.
Hsu, Andrea.
"Storytellers at a Los Angeles planetarium join the union representing Broadway actors" Radio & Text News Story.
National Public Radio 2023 April 25. First retrieved 2023 April 25.
12 Planetarium Lecturers at Los Angeles Griffith Observatory Planetarium unionize. Like Buhl Planetarium (opened in 1939),
the Los Angeles Griffith Observatory Planetarium (opened in 1935) was one of the five early US planetaria opened prior to World War II.
Crompton, Janice.
"Mary Elizabeth Lewis: Longtime acting teacher and Pittsburgh Playhouse veteran." Obituary.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2023 April 19. First retrieved 2023 April 23.
Visitors at the former Buhl Planetarium in the ‘60s might also remember her as the voice of
“Transpara”, a female body
that demonstrated how organs and circulation worked.
"Vincent John Roolf". Obituary.
VTDigger.org 2023 Feb. 20. First retrieved 2023 Feb. 25.
Vincent John Roolf died peacefully in hospice care at CVMC on January 30, 2023, with his daughters by his side, having lived 93
adventure- and memory-filled years and remaining curious, thoughtful, and himself to the end.
Born on January 7, 1930 in Pittsburgh to Joseph C. and Lenora C. Roolf, Vince lived in the rural Western Pennsylvania neighborhood of
Turtle Creek until his teen years, when his family relocated to the city.
Vince raised his two daughters to be curious and compassionate. Family trips often led to Pittsburgh-area libraries, parks, nature centers,
museums, or symphonies. Carnegie Museum and Buhl Planetarium were two favorite destinations. In retirement, he volunteered doing trail
work, particularly at Beechwood Farms, Barking Slopes, and along the Rachel Carson Trail. (Vincent Roolf and his daughters Becka and
Gwenivere volunteered weekly in the mid-1980s, Friday evenings or Saturdays, at the original
Buhl Planetarium;
on Friday evenings, Becka assisted Glenn A. Walsh with the
BioCorner Embryology, Chick-Hatching Exhibit.)
Vince and his daughters relocated to Montpelier in the mid-aughts.
Vince is predeceased by his parents and his siblings Norman, Rosemary, Ray, Paul, Annamae, and Dorothy. He is survived by his younger
sister, Bernadette, and his daughters Becka and Gwenivere.
Also see:
Facebook Post
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.
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.
"Science Museums Rebound After Worst of Pandemic." Blog-Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2022 Sept. 27.
Association of Science & TechnoloPgy Centers (ASTC) 2022 Annual Conference in Pittsburgh.
In 1973, Buhl Planetarium became the first official member of the Association of Science and
Technology Centers (ASTC), the organization of science museums throughout the world, which includes nearly 700 member institutions in
almost 50 nations.
MuseumLab is located in America's first publicly-funded
Carnegie Library building.
Walsh, Glenn A. "Saturday Light Brigade Youth Media Center Completed in Buhl Planetarium's Bowdish Gallery." Facebook Post.
2022 May 21
The following are a couple photographs of the completed Youth Media Center, in the Bowdish Gallery of Pittsburgh's original
Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science / Buhl Science Center, operated by the Saturday morning, family radio program,
The Saturday Light Brigade. The Saturday Light Brigade issued these photographs a couple days ago, in their weekly newsletter.
Bowdish Gallery was the home of Buhl Planetarium's Miniature Railroad and Village from 1954 to 1991.
Also see:
Youth Media Center Under Construction: Link >>>
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10227049791493719&set=gm.10159725952482262
History of Miniature Railroad & Village: Link >>> https://buhlplanetarium3.tripod.com/MiniRR.htm
Also:
Facebook Post Photographs (2)
Link >>>
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10228105224238878&set=pcb.10160037142142262
Link >>>
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10228105226958946&set=pcb.10160037142142262
"Construction of our Youth Media Center Continues!"
More Information
3 Comments:
Holly Smythe
I once transformed this space into a model of the International Space Station for Young Astronaut space camp. There were two
inflatable modules, inflatable truss structures, and tables covered with foil for solar panels. Students did activities in the modules and at the
tables.
Glenn A Walsh
Author
Holly Smythe Was this later in 1991, after the Miniature Railroad had been dismantled? Or, was this after The Carnegie Science Center had
publicly opened?
Davin Flateau
Admin
This is *awesome* - couldn’t invent a better use for the space
Berger, Larry.
"Construction of our Youth Media Center Continues!" - In Buhl Planetarium's Bowdish Gallery:
Photograph
Saturday Light Brigade News Release 2021 Nov. 18. First retrieved 2021 Nov. 19.
The Saturday Light Brigade Youth Media Center is being constructed in Buhl Planetarium's Bowdish Gallery
(previous home of Buhl Planetarium's Miniature Railroad and Village).
"Framing is nearly complete, sound proofing has been added, and rough wiring is in place as work continues on our new
Youth Media Center. This photo is from the vantage point of three new studios (not yet built) looking through what will be
two classrooms, a performance area, a lounge, and eight media creation stations, all beneath the original terracotta ceiling
of the original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science. Our current studios are in the distance. From 500 square
feet to 3,500 square feet, all the better to serve you when we open in January 2022."
Also see:
Buhl Science Center Alumni Facebook Group Post
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.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"50th Anniversary: Pittsburgh Native Walks on Moon." Blog-Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2021 July 26.
James Irwin's father was a steamfitter running the power plant at Pittsburgh's Carnegie Institute, which includes the
Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Carnegie Museum of Art, the main branch of Carnegie Library, and the
Carnegie Music and Lecture Halls. James Irwin wrote in his autobiography, To Rule the Night, that he was enthralled by
Carnegie Institute's world-class collection of dinosaur skeletons. He wrote, "Some of my earliest memories are of waiting for
Dad in this tremendous place". Later in the autobiography, he wrote how his imagination was stirred by his visits to
Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science.
Tady, Scott.
"'Pixar’s Inside Out' makes world premiere at Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh re-opening."
Beaver County (PA) Times 2021 June 16. First retrieved 2021 June 17.
Perennial museum exhibits such as MAKESHOP and Waterplay have been refreshed, while the Garage features two new
activities: an interactive projection on the vaulted dome of the former Buhl Planetarium and a new climbing net. The
Studio will feature "Puppets: A Beautiful Fantasy,'' based on the museum’s Margo Lovelace Collection.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Memorial Pages for Kent C. Hoffman and Charles H. Hoffman
A Family Tradition of Science."
Memorial Internet Web-Page.
History of WLCR-AM Carier Current Web-Site 2021 May 26.
Moonshot Space Museum, North Side, Pittsburgh
To Be Pennsylvania's First Exclusive, Space Exploration Museum in Summer, 2022
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).
"New cultural happenings in Pittsburgh."
travelmole.com 2022 Feb. 5.
Space robotics company, Astrobotic, will open the Moonshot Museum in September...
" What’s New, 2022?
10 things we're looking forward to in Pittsburgh for the new year
3. To the moon, Pittsburgh!"
Pittsburgh City Paper 2022 Jan. 5.
And in summer 2022, the city will welcome an exciting new addition. The Moonshot Museum promises to be the first
museum in Pennsylvania to focus “exclusively on space exploration, the Moon, and space industry career readiness for,BR.
young people.”
"Drive a Rover at Astrobotic’s Test Facility." News Release: Astrobotic Technology.
SpaceRef.com 2021 Nov. 10. First retrieved 2021 Nov. 11.
“Astrobotic is all about connecting everyone to the wonder and importance of space. To celebrate our new Lunar Regolith
Lab and inspire others to get involved in the space industry, offering up a unique chance to drive a rover with our
hard-working engineers seemed incredibly cool,” says Alivia Chapla, Senior Marketing and Communications Director. “All
proceeds from the auction will be used to support our nonprofit, the Moonshot Museum.”
Doughty, Nate.
"John Thornton wants to make space more accessible to encourage next 'spark' moment in exploration and discovery."
Pittsburgh Business Times 2021 Nov. 4. First retrieved 2021 Nov. 5.
Those efforts start with the company's Moonshot Museum, which is halfway through its $2.7 million capital campaign
fundraising effort. Expected to open in the third quarter of 2022, the soon-to-be under construction exhibition and events
area will be housed inside Astrobotic's headquarters, allowing those in attendance to see first-hand the development of
future technologies and products that will someday end up on the moon. The company plans to participate in its first of such
moon-launching efforts in 2022, with another one to follow in 2023.
"Education innovators share strategies at inaugural Readiness Institute Summit." News Release.
Penn State University 2021 Oct. 28. First retrieved 2021 Oct. 31.
Stan Thompson, program director for education at The Heinz Endowments; Sam Moore, executive director for the
Moonshot Museum; and instructors from the RI at Penn State Summer Program each shared their message of support for
the K-12 students who are at the center of each program’s focus and success.
Doughty, Nate.
"With its summer 2022 launch in sight, Astrobotic's Moonshot Museum releases preview of its upcoming space (photos)."
Pittsburgh Business Times 2021 Oct. 20. First retrieved 2021 Oct. 23.
White, Jaxon.
"Carnegie Science Center to open 'Our Destiny in Space' exhibit next year."
TribLive.com: Tribune-Review, Pittsburgh 2021 June 11. First retrieved 2021 June 14.
Nuebel, Kaitlyn.
"Regional students to be introduced to “1,000 different jobs” they could have working in space."
Pittsburgh Magazine 2021 June 10. First retrieved 2021 June 14.
Machosky, Michael.
"Carnegie Science Center and Astrobotic launching Pittsburgh into the 21st-century Space Race."
NextPittsburgh.com 2021 June 10. First retrieved 2021 June 14.
"Astrobotics And Carnegie Science Center Team Up To Get Kids Excited About Space." Transcript: Video Report.
KDKA-TV 2, Pittsburgh, Yahoo News 2021 June 10. First retrieved 2021 June 14.
"Astrobotic, Carnegie Science Center partner to establish Pittsburgh as space hub."
WPXI-TV 11, Pittsburgh 2021 June 10. First retrieved 2021 June 14.
Mericle, Julia.
"Astrobotic, Carnegie Science Center partner to establish Pittsburgh as space hub."
Pittsburgh Business Times 2021 June 9. First retrieved 2021 June 10.
Rosenblatt, Lauren.
"NASA executive visits Pittsburgh to unveil initiative to get students interested in space."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2021 June 9. First retrieved 2021 June 10.
The inspiration piece will come from Carnegie Science Center, which announced plans to open a new exhibit and
programming focused on imagining humans life on Mars, and the newly announced Moonshot Museum, an endeavor of the
North Side-based lunar tech company Astrobotic.
Astrobotic, the Keystone Space Collaborative, the Readiness Institute at Penn State and Discovery Space at State College
will provide the training, summer programs, college programs, internships and eventual career pathways.
“This initiative will create opportunities for our region’s children to one day find their place in the space industry,” said Jason
Brown, the director of Carnegie Science Center. “The way we want to do this is by first lighting the fires of inspiration and
then clearing the barriers to entry.”
To start garnering interest among students, Astrobotic announced plans in May to open a Moonshot Museum, where
visitors could watch as engineers and designers built a real spacecraft at the company’s North Side headquarters.
Visitors to the museum will watch as the professionals get to work and will also immerse themselves in the roles of space
exploration, said Sam Moore, executive director of the Moonshot Museum. Each visitor will have a role to play based on
their interests as they go through the experience. One visitor may be tasked with designing the rover while another will have
to figure out how to get it to the moon.
Space exploration is “more than rocket scientists and engineers,” Mr. Moore said. “We want to light the spark for kids to
follow an opportunity to space. We want them to find their place in the future of space exploration.”
Complimenting the Moonshot Museum, the Carnegie Science Center also recently announced plans to open a new 7,000-
square-foot exhibition gallery called “Our Destiny in Space.” It will look at the questions that will face the future humans
living on Mars.
Both exhibits plan to open in summer 2022.
Eventually, the group hopes to continue expanding in between the Science Center and Astrobotic in the North Side
neighborhood, creating the headquarters for Pittsburgh’s space ecosystem. Those plans haven’t been started yet and the
stakeholders are waiting on input from the community around them, Mr. Brown said.
Rep. Conor Lamb, D-Mt. Lebanon, who also attended the event, noted that the collaborative space initiative is coming at
the right time. It fits in well the infrastructure plan President Joe Biden is working to push through, he said.
"NASA To Speak At Science Center."
ButlerRadio.com 2021 June 8. First retrieved 2021 June 9.
The Carnegie Science Center is welcoming an official from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for a talk
later this week.
An Associate Administrator for NASA will discuss overcoming challenges as well as how commercial partnerships help with
space exploration in a presentation for students at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday followed by another for government officials and
community leaders at 5:20 p.m.
Science Center officials will also be joined by those from Pittsburgh-based robotics company to announce initiatives to
continue cultivating space science in the region.
"Moonshot Museum’s goal is to spark curiosity in space exploration." Editorial.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2021 May 22. First retrieved 2021 May 24.
"Astrobotic to Show Lunar Landers and Rovers at Moonshot Museum in Pittsburg."
AutoEvolution.com 2021 May 8. First retrieved 2021 May 19.
"Astrobotic planning space museum at its North Side headquarters."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2021 May 7. First retrieved 2021 May 19.
"This new space museum is one giant leap for Pittsburgh."
The Incline 2021 May 7. First retrieved 2021 May 20.
"Moonshot Museum nearing liftoff at Astrobotic on the North Side."
NextPittsburgh.2021 May 6. First retrieved 2021 May 19.
"Pennsylvania’s first museum dedicated exclusively to space will open in Pittsburgh."
WTAE-TV 4, Pittsburgh 2021 May 6. First retrieved 2021 May 19.
"Astrobotic Opening Headquarters As The Moonshot Museum In 2022."
KDKA-TV 2, Pittsburgh 2021 May 5. First retrieved 2021 May 19.
"Moonshot Museum to offer window into Astrobotic lunar lander work."
CollectSPACE.com 2021 May 5. First retrieved 2021 May 19.
Guggenheimer, Paul.
"Astrobotic space museum planned for Pittsburgh."
TribLive.com: Tribune-Review, Pittsburgh 2021 May 5. First retrieved 2021 May 19.
"Moonshot Space Museum Coming to Pittsburgh." News Release.
Astrobotic.com 2021 May 5. First retrieved 2021 May 20.
Moonshot Space Museum Official Internet Web-Site:
< https://moonshotmuseum.org/ >
Obituary: Judith A. Madden. On-Line Classified Obituary.
niedfuneralhome.com 2021 March 4.
Judy Madden was a volunteer at the Buhl Science Center in the 1980s and early 1990s, along with husband Lee and sons
Greg and Chris; both sons went on to become Buhl Science Center staff members (Greg:technician, Chris: Floor Aide and Submarine Tour Guide).
Obituary: Debra Marie Visnansky. On-Line Classified Obituary.
schellhaasfh.com 2021 Feb. 14.
Debra Marie Visnansky, who went to high school with Buhl Science Center staff member Davin Flateau, was a volunteer at
the Buhl Science Center in the late 1980s and / or early 1990s.
Kurlander, Carl.
"Perspective: An Appreciation of Duane Jones." News Release.
University of Pittsburgh 2021 Feb. 8. First retrieved 2021 Feb. 9.
Romero and Ricci had met after George had read a poem Ricci had written. They had coffee in Oakland for what
apparently lasted about three days and started talking about movies, because Ricci was the projectionist at Pitt and had
access to Pitt film equipment. Before long, Romero dropped out of Carnegie Tech and Ricci and Romero, along with Ricci’s
cousin Rudy Ricci and Russ and Gary Streiner, had started their own company on Pittsburgh's South Side called Latent
Image. The new company produced commercials for Buhl Planetarium and Calgon Detergent as well as short
pieces for “Mister Rogers' Neighborhood,” including “Mr. Rogers Gets a Tonsillectomy.” Inspired by Pittsburgh’s televised
Chiller Theater, which showed horror movies late Saturday nights hosted by “Chilly Billy Cardille,” they decided to produce a
feature which initially was called “Night of the Flesh Eaters.”
Lynn, Hannah.
"Seven Days of Arts and Entertainment: Nov. 19-25."
"Sun., Nov. 22 - Family Fun." Weekly Listings.
Pittsburgh City Paper 2020 Nov. 18. First retrieved 2020 Nov. 22.
Get out of town — far out — with Space Out! Astronomy Weekend at the Carnegie Science Center. Celebrate and learn
about outer space including "Stars Over Pittsburgh" planetarium and "Cosmic Chemistry" shows. The Science Center is
limiting capacity to 15%, so get your tickets in advance. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. One Allegheny Ave., North Side. $11.95-19.95.
carnegiesciencecenter.org
"Carnegie Science Center Unveils Upgrades To Buhl Planetarium, New Addition To Miniature Railroad."Video Report with Text.
KDKA-TV 2, Pittsburgh 2020 Nov. 17. First retrieved 2020 Nov. 22.
$2 million upgrade of Carnegie Science Center's Buhl Planetarium.
"PHOTOS: Carnegie Science Center’s Buhl Planetarium, Miniature Railroad and Village renovations." Photograph Essay.
WPXI-TV 11, Pittsburgh 2020 Nov. 17. First retrieved 2020 Nov. 22.
$2 million upgrade of Carnegie Science Center's Buhl Planetarium.
Machosky, Michael.
"The upgraded Buhl Planetarium is now one of the most advanced in North America."
NextPittsburgh.com 2020 Nov. 17. First retrieved 2020 Nov. 19.
$2 million upgrade of Carnegie Science Center's Buhl Planetarium.
Pitz, Marylynne.
"It's a digital universe at Carnegie Science Center's Buhl Planetarium."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2020 Nov. 17. First retrieved 2020 Nov. 19.
$2 million upgrade of Carnegie Science Center's Buhl Planetarium.
"Pittsburgh’s new planetarium is out of this world." Newsletter.
The Incline 2020 Nov. 11. First retrieved 2020 Nov. 19.
$2 million upgrade of Carnegie Science Center's Buhl Planetarium.
"Multi-million $$ renovation to Buhl Planetarium." Facebook Micro-Blog-Post.
Carnegie Science Center 2020 Nov. 9. First retrieved 2020 Nov. 19.
$2 million upgrade of Carnegie Science Center's Buhl Planetarium.
"Multi-million $$ renovation to Buhl Planetarium." Twitter Micro-Blog-Post.
Carnegie Science Center 2020 Nov. 9. First retrieved 2020 Nov. 20.
$2 million upgrade of Carnegie Science Center's Buhl Planetarium.
Graney, Christopher M.
"Oldest U.S. Planetarium Projector Found & Recovered." Blog-Post: Re-Print of SpaceWatchtower Blog-Post.
Sacred Space Astronomy (Vatican Observatory Foundation) 2020 November 14. First retrieved 2020 November 15.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Mystery Solved! Oldest U.S. Planetarium Projector Found & Recovered." Blog-Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2020 Sept. 18. First retrieved 2020 Sept. 18.
A 50-year mystery has been solved! America's oldest planetarium projector, the Zeiss II / III Planetarium Projector operated
at Chicago's Adler Planetarium from 1930 to 1969, has been found and recovered.
About 20 years ago, planetarium historians Glenn A. Walsh and Brent Sullivan, with assistance from Gary Lazich, started
looking for Adler's historic Zeiss II / III Planetarium Projector. Through research, including telephone and electronic mail
interviews with people who had involvement with the Adler Zeiss Projector, a narrative started to be assembled showing
what may have happened to the projector...
In 1935, the Buhl Foundation (then, the nation's 13th largest philanthropic foundation) announced that they would build a
planetarium in memory of Henry Buhl, Jr., who had owned one of Pittsburgh's major department stores, Boggs and Buhl.
The Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science opened in 1939. AAAP co-founder Leo Scanlon (who, in November
of 1930, had constructed the world's first all-aluminum astronomical observatory dome) was one of the first two Buhl
Planetarium lecturers.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Astro-Calendar: 2020 Nov. / Centennial: Commercial Radio Broadcasting." Blog-Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2020 Nov. 1. First retrieved 2020 Nov. 1.
KDKA-AM, Pittsburgh, became the world's first commercial broadcasting station on 1920 November 2.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Mystery Solved! Oldest U.S. Planetarium Projector Found & Recovered." Blog-Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2020 Sept. 18. First retrieved 2020 Sept. 18.
A 50-year mystery has been solved! America's oldest planetarium projector, the Zeiss II / III Planetarium Projector operated
at Chicago's Adler Planetarium from 1930 to 1969, has been found and recovered.
About 20 years ago, planetarium historians Glenn A. Walsh and Brent Sullivan, with assistance from Gary Lazich, started
looking for Adler's historic Zeiss II / III Planetarium Projector. Through research, including telephone and electronic mail
interviews with people who had involvement with the Adler Zeiss Projector, a narrative started to be assembled showing
what may have happened to the projector...
In 1935, the Buhl Foundation (then, the nation's 13th largest philanthropic foundation) announced that they would build a
planetarium in memory of Henry Buhl, Jr., who had owned one of Pittsburgh's major department stores, Boggs and Buhl.
The Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science opened in 1939. AAAP co-founder Leo Scanlon (who, in November
of 1930, had constructed the world's first all-aluminum astronomical observatory dome) was one of the first two Buhl
Planetarium lecturers.
McMonagle, Haley.
"You Can Live in the Childhood Home of a Local Astronaut."
Pittsburgh Magazine 2020 July 13.
Rudin, Rabbi James.
"Memories of Pittsburgh."
Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle 2020 June 24. First retrieved 2020 June 26.
During Passover, I always visited Kennywood amusement park, and I also took walks alone on East Ohio Street.
One destination was the Buhl Planetarium with its stargazing shows...
Alas, the 700 and 800 blocks of East Ohio Street were demolished some years ago to make way for a high-speed highway.
Louis Rosenbloom’s store, my father’s dental office, Isaly’s dairy restaurant… all gone.
ory
Only the Buhl Planetarium remains from my youthful visits to that wondrous street of memory.
Mullaney, James.
"The “Great Lensnapping” By Guest Host: James Mullaney." Blog-Post.
rogerivester.com 2020 June 17. First retrieved 2020 June 22.
Story of the “Great Lensnapping” of the Fitz objective lens of the original telescope of Pittsburgh's
Allegheny Observatory.
Author James Mullaney was Astronomy Curator of 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.Alas, the 700 and 800 blocks of East Ohio Street were demolished some
years ago to make way for a high-speed highway. Louis Rosenbloom’s store, my father’s dental office, Isaly’s dairy restaurant… all gone.
Only the Buhl Planetarium remains from my youthful visits to that wondrous street of memory.
Mullaney, James.
" “Celestial Harvest” The Book: By Guest Host, James Mullaney
CELESTIAL HARVEST: HOW IT HAPPENED." Blog-Post.
rogerivester.com 2020 May 18. First retrieved 2020 May 18.
Blog-Post by former Buhl Planetarium Astronomy Curator James Mullaney.
Benningfield, Damond.
"Rescue!" Radio Feature.
StarDate.com 2020 May 16. First retrieved 2020 May 16.
75th Anniversary: German Scientist Max Planck Rescued by U.S. Army from Russians, at end of World War II.
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.
Norwood, Joy.
"Brookville native leaves legacy of creativity, entertainment." Tri-County Sunday
The Courier Express, DuBois PA 2020 Feb. 23. First retrieved 2020 Feb. 24.
In 1954, Charles Bowdish would do two displays – one for viewing in Brookville and one at Buhl Planetarium.
It is said 3,000 people viewed it in Pittsburgh in one day and that 1,500 people visited Brookville in the first week of the
display. He would do the same again in 1955 but that would be the last time he built a Brookville exhibit.
Bowdish continued to live in Brookville despite working with Buhl Planetarium as “model builder and consultant” until his death in 1988.
Bowdish’s miniature railroad display would later be moved to the Carnegie Science Center in 1992.
Benningfield, Damond.
"Critics." Daily Radio Feature: StarDate.
StarDate.org 2020 Jan. 13. First retrieved 2020 Jan. 13.
Centennial: The New York Times editorial on rocket pioneer Robert Goddard, which was retracted on 1969 July 17.
Hester, Jessica Leigh.
"When Trippy Black-Light Murals Brought the Cosmos Down to Earth."
AtlasObscura.com 2020 Jan. 10. First retrieved 2020 Jan. 13.
Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium had a large black-light gallery,
The Hall of the Universe, from the 1950s to the mid- 1980s.
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.
"Astronomical Calendar: 2019 Dec. / Centennial: Death of Astronomy Philanthropist H.C. Frick." Blog-Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2019 Dec. 1. First retrieved 2019 Dec. 1.
December 2 marks the Centennial Anniversary of the death of industrialist and education and astronomical philanthropist
Henry Clay Frick, who provided much of the funding for construction of the second, three-dome Allegheny Observatory,
dedicated in 1912. He asked astronomer John A. Brashear to organize the Henry Clay Frick Educational Commission.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"100 Years Ago: U.S. Scientist Questions Evidence Proving General Theory of Relativity." Blog-Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2019 Nov. 13. First retrieved 2019 Nov. 13.
Includes 1934 photograph of Albert Einstein and Leo J. Scanlon, Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh
Co-Founder (1929), constructor of the world's first all-aluminum, astronomical observatory dome (1930), and one of the first
two Buhl Planetarium lecturers (1939).
She.
"Quote of the Day: Worlds Beyond Earth."
Ricochet.com 2019 Nov. 24. First retrieved 2019 Nov. 27.
Short biography of astronomer, educator, and telescope-maker John A. Brashear, along with the Sarah Williams poem
stanza that Dr. Brashear and his wife loved: “I have loved the stars too truly to be fearful of the night”– Sarah Williams
(consequently, a paraphrased version of this stanza appears on the the Brashears' crypt, in the basement of the
Allegheny Observatory).
One of nine comments following the article:
James Gawron
She,
When I was about 5 years old we got a 99-year lease on a star in the constellation Pisces from Buhl Planetarium in
Pittsburgh. I’ve been thinking of renting the star out but I’d rather not pay the back taxes.
Regards,
Jim
Bogdan, Ruth.
"Pumpkin patch is part of longtime love of gardening for Crissman."
The Bradford Era, Bradford PA 2019 Oct. 1. 1st retrieved 2019 Oct. 2.
A scrapbook put together by Gus Crissman’s daughter-in-law shows an article from April 1957 that shows
Crissman — then a student at Bradford High School — with a science exhibition on hydroponics.
He had just won the official Buhl Planetarium Science Craft Award at the School Science Fair in Pittsburgh for the
project, a study in soil improvement through use of nutrients in liquid form.
"Science Fair coming to Science Center."
Observer-Reporter, Washington PA 2019 Sept. 29.
For the first time in its 81-year history, the Covestro Pittsburgh Regional Science & Engineering Fair (PRSEF) will
happen at the Carnegie Science Center.
It will be held March 25. That day, more than 900 middle and high school students from across the region will compete
for scholarships and cash prizes as they present their science, math and engineering projects.
The fair has been held in several Pittsburgh locations through the years, including the Buhl Planetarium [through the 1960s and much of the 1970s],
Duquesne University, LaRoche University, Brashear High School and Heinz Field [also the Gymnasium of the
Allegheny Campus of the Community College of Allegheny County during the 1980s and early 1990s]. After an
extensive analysis, the Science Center determined that the addition of the PPG Science Pavilion provides the space
required to host the competition.
The science and engineering fair has been a Pittsburgh tradition since 1940. It is the third oldest science fair in the
United States under the affiliation of Society for Science & The Public.
Each fall, teachers in 21 counties in Western Pennsylvania and Garrett County, Md., introduce PRSEF as an
extracurricular activity or as part of their academic program. Students in grades six to 12 select a scientific or
engineering project from one of 21 categories, and their research plans are reviewed by the Covestro PRSEF Scientific
Review Committee to guarantee that proper scientific procedures will be followed. During the competition, judges
interview students using the Socratic method to ensure they have a deep understanding of their project and a creative
approach to their research design.
School and teacher registration for PRSEF begins Tuesday, and student registration begins Nov. 1. For information go
online to PittsburghScienceFair.org.
Monday Morning, 2019 September 23, 3:35 a.m. EDT / 7:35 UTC -
Friends of the Zeiss Project Director Glenn A. Walsh provides (via electronic-mail) the time of the 2019 Autumnal Equinox
(3:50 a.m. EDT / 12:50 a.m. PDT / 7:50 UTC) to
George Knapp, weekend host of overnight, national radio program,
Coast-to-Coast-AM, which Mr. Knapp announced on the radio show, crediting Mr. Walsh for the information and mentioning
that Mr. Walsh had worked at a planetarium.
Tuesday Morning, 2019 August 13, 10:00 a.m. EDT / 14:00 UTC -
Friends of the Zeiss Project Director Glenn A. Walsh (as a member of the National Space Society) and
National Space Society Regional Director Randy W. Gigante met with Heather Painter, Legislative Assistant for U.S. Congressman
Conor Lamb (D-Pennsylvania) in the
Pennsylvania Congressional 17th District Office in Mount Lebanon PA,
regarding legislation and funding for NASA. Congressman Lamb is a member of the
U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, as well as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy.
Walsh, Glenn A.
2019 August 11 - Centennial of the passing of industrialist and philanthropist
Andrew Carnegie. Internet Web-Site Entry.
Andrew Carnegie helped build 2,509 public libraries as well as science institutions such as Carnegie Mellon University,
Allegheny Observatory, and Mount Wilson Observatory and established the Carnegie Institution for Science
and the Carnegie Museum of Natural History.
History of Andrew Carnegie & Carnegie Libraries 2019 Aug. 11.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"India Launches Rover to Probe Moon's South Pole." Blog-Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2019 July 23.
As part of a national research project in the 1980s to better map the Moon's South Pole area, photographs of the Moon
were taken by American Lunar Society Founder Francis G. Graham using the rather unique 10-inch Siderostat-type
Refractor Telescope, in the third floor astronomical observatory of 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).
Graham, Francis G.
"American Lunar Society Founder on 50th Anniversary: 1st Humans Walk on Moon !, KOKH’S QUESTION:
After 50 Years, Why No Lunar Settlements ?" Blog-Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2019 July 16.
The author of this essay is Francis G. Graham, Professor Emeritus of Physics, Kent State University, and Founder of
the American Lunar Society. Earlier in his career, he was a Planetarium and Observatory Lecturer 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.
"Study: Rent Is Increasing Among Pittsburgh Neighborhoods."
KDKA-TV 2, Pittsburgh 2019 June 18.
Pittsburgh's North Side now has the top rents in the market.
Allegheny Center is third on the list. Surrounded by attractions like the National Aviary and the Children’s Museum of
Pittsburgh (this includes buildings now being used by the Children's Museum: original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of
Popular Science and original Carnegie Free Library of Allegheny), rent has increased by 6.88 percent. For a one-
bedroom apartment, you can pay around $1,251 a month.
Burke, Mack.
"Wells Fargo Refreshes Debt on Pittsburgh’s Nova Place With $140M Loan."
CommercialObserver.com 2019 June 17.
Nova Place was formerly known as Allegheny Center, and the complex includes the original Buhl Planetarium and
and Institute of Popular Science and the original Carnegie Free Library of Allegheny building.
Television and motion picture actor, and native of Pittsburgh, Jeff Goldblum creates Buhl Planetarium entrance announcement:
“Hello, my name is Jeff Goldblum, and you know what I want to say, “Welcome. Welcome, welcome, welcome to
you ‘cause here you are at the Buhl Planetarium, which is what we like to say is a theater of the stars. Now, the stars
that you are about to see aren’t movie stars, some people would call me a movie star, but these are profoundly large,
brilliantly hot masses of gas and plasma, well, some of that actually does describe me.”
The "Theater of the Stars" was the original name for the Planetarium Theater at the original
Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science.
Mr. Goldblum credits the original Buhl Planetarium with helping develop his sense of wonderment and curiosity.
Buhl Planetarium (Carnegie Science Center) Program Development Coordinator Ralph Crewe contacted
Mr. Goldblum's agent asking for Mr. Goldblum's donation of the announcement.
The following are news articles regarding Mr. Goldblum's new announcement:
"Web Extra: Jeff Goldblum's Welcome Message To The Buhl Planetarium." Audio File.
Actual announcement by Jeff Goldblum, at the beginning of shows at the Henry Buhl, Jr. Planetarium and Observatory.
KDKA-TV 2, Pittsburgh 2019 May 10.
"‘Welcome, Welcome, Welcome’: Jeff Goldblum Is Newest Star At Buhl Planetarium."
KDKA-TV 2, Pittsburgh 2019 May 10.
Guggenheimer, Paul.
"Jeff Goldblum becomes ‘voice’ of the Buhl Planetarium."
TribLive.com: Tribune-Review, Pittsburgh 2019 May 10.
Culgan, Rossilynne.
"Jeff Goldblum — yes, that Jeff Goldblum — is the new voice of Carnegie Science Center’s Buhl Planetarium."
TheIncline.com 2019 May 10.
Green, Ashlee.
"Northsiders gather to celebrate reopening of historic fountain."
The Northside Chronicle, Pittsburgh 2019 May 6.
Also see ---
"Reconstruction of Allegheny Commons fountain unearths history."
Giant Sundial Sculpture Proposed for Site in 1976 as Bicentennial Project
"For a cybersecurity career, you must never get complacent."
SiliconRepublic.com 2019 March 13.
To find out more about a cybersecurity career, Siliconrepublic.com spoke to
Barbara Endicott-Popovsky,
the director for the Center of Information Assurance & Cybersecurity at the University of Washington...
As a kid, I built my own telescope. I would go to the Buhl Planetarium in Pittsburgh and take part in moon watches;
I loved looking at the stars through the telescopes at Allegheny Observatory.
Rittmeyer, Brian C.
"Carnegie Science Center submarine Requin to resume normal hours Saturday."
TribLive.com: Tribune-Review, Pittsburgh 2019 Feb. 28.
In September of 1990, the historic USS Requin submarine started as an exhibit of Pittsburgh's original
Buhl Planetarium and institute of Popular Science (a.k.a. Buhl Science Center), Pittsburgh's science and
technology museum from 1939 to 1991.
Bartley, Randy.
"Miniature railroad centennial celebrated in Brookville."
The Derrick, Oil City PA 2019 Feb. 26.
"He (Charles Bowdish) continued his tradition until 1954 when his display was moved to Buhl Planetarium,
in Pittsburgh where it became known as the Christmastown ...
In 1992, the display was moved to the Carnegie Science Center and became known as the
The Miniature Railroad & Village. The new permanent ..."
Graham, Francis G.
"American Lunar Society Founder on 50th Anniversary: 1st Humans Orbit Moon,
The Incredible Legacy of Apollo 8." Blog-Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2018 Dec. 24.
The author of this essay is Francis G. Graham, Professor Emeritus of Physics, Kent State University, and Founder of
the American Lunar Society. Earlier in his career, he was a Planetarium and Observatory Lecturer 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.
Collins, Curt.
"Astronomer Arthur L. Draper on the UFO Mystery." Blog-Post.
The Saucers That Time Forgot 2018 December 7.
Includes article by Buhl Planetarium Director Arthur L. Draper:
Draper, Arthur L.
"Flying Saucers."
The Pittsburgh Press 1950 July 2.
Mericle, Julia.
"Innovator Awards Career Achievement: Ann Metzger and Ron Baillie worked together to advance
Carnegie Science Center's mission."
Pittsburgh Business Times 2018 Dec. 5.
Baillie began working for the Carnegie Science Center in 1983 when it was still known as the
Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science.
Quinn, Sally.
"The final frontier? With these 10 cool ways kids can explore space in Pittsburgh, it’s just the beginning."
NextPittsburgh.com 2018 Oct. 24.
Includes photographs and information regarding the historic
Foucault Pendulum
and
Zeiss II Planetarium Projector of the original
Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science.
Koscinski, Kiley and Megan Harris.
"Well Into Expansion, Children’s Museum Of Pittsburgh Still Calls To Kids Of All Ages." Radio Program "The Confluence."
WESA-FM 90.5, Pittsburgh 2018 Oct. 15.
The 35-year-old Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh began in the old Allegheny Post Office, expanded to the
Buhl Planetarium and will soon move into the stacks of the former Carnegie library (first publicly-funded
Carnegie Library in America, the Carnegie Free Library of Allegheny).
Koscinski, Kiley and Mick Stinelli.
"Carnegie Science Center Leaders Step Down From Their Unique Directorship Together." Radio Program: "The Confluence."
WESA-FM 90.5, Pittsburgh Thur., 2018 Oct. 11.
Host Kevin Gavin interviews Carnegie Science Center Henry Buhl, Jr. Co-Directors who are retiring by the end of the year.
Co-Director Ron Baillie talks about starting at Buhl Planetarium / Buhl Science Center in 1983.
Some Buhl Planetarium apparatus and programs, including the Zeiss II Planetarium Projector, Transpara the Talking Glass
Lady, and the Miniature Railroad and Village are mentioned.
Stefano, Dan.
"Reusing the past at Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh."
ThePittsburgh100.com 2018 Oct. 8.
Who would have thought kids would love to go to the post office?
You’re not buying stamps at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, but part of the popular attraction
occupies what was once Allegheny Post Office, or Old North Post Office, which dates back to 1897.
Marked by a distinctive dome and classic facade, the historic building provides an interesting
contrast to the rest of the facility, which has a modern section linking to the old Buhl Planetarium.
The post office closed long before its current visitors were born, but it’s a great example of how to convert old buildings.
Hamill, Sean D.
"Carnegie Science Center co-directors are retiring this year."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2018 Sept. 24.
Having accomplished all the goals they helped map out in a strategic plan a decade ago, Carnegie Science Center
co-directors Ron Baillie and Ann Metzger will both retire by the end of the year, the science center said Monday...
Mr. Baillie’s career stretches back to when the organization had become known as the Buhl Science Center, having
just decided to change it from the Buhl Planetarium and begin expanding beyond its origins focused on astronomy.
The year he started his career, 1983, “really was the beginning of the new science center,” he said.
Helping to usher the science center from its origins as a planetarium into what it is today is his proudest
accomplishment, he said.
Benningfield, Damond.
"Visiting Astronomers" Radio Feature.
StarDate Radio Program, University of Texas McDonald Observatory 2018 July 22.
One of the few on the list is Mount Langley, a 14,000-foot summit in California.
It’s named for Samuel Pierpont Langley, who was a long-time director of the Allegheny Observatory.
"Carnegie Science Center’s New PPG Science Pavilion™ To Open June 16." News Release.
BusinessWire.com 2018 June 11.
"PPG and the Science Center began their partnership 37 years ago, starting with PPG’s support of the Science Center’s
predecessor organization,
Buhl Science Center, in 1981. PPG and the PPG Foundation’s $7.5 million gift to the SPARK! Campaign
is the single largest donation in the history of the Science Center. The PPG Science Pavilion reflects both PPG and the
Science Center’s lasting commitment to education, life, and career prospects of children and the economic vitality of the
Pittsburgh region."
ACTUALLY, PPG Industries (formerly known as Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company), provided exhibit funding for Pittsburgh's
original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science long before 1981. An optical illusion exhibit, called
"The Phantom Planet," was funded by PPG in the 1960s; in 1983, this exhibit adjoined a new optics exhibit called
"Image / Imagination." When
"Image / Imagination" was installed in the western section of Buhl's Great Hall on the first floor
in 1983, it displaced another, much larger exhibit funded by PPG in the 1960s,
"Gemmaux Masterpieces in Glass," which
included several back-lit art masterpieces (including one from Pablo Picasso) engraved in glass.
PPG
"Carnegie Science Center’s New PPG Science Pavilion™ To Open June 16." News Release.
Stockhouse.com 2018 June 11.
"PPG and the Science Center began their partnership 37 years ago, starting with PPG’s support of the Science Center’s
predecessor organization,
Buhl Science Center, in 1981. PPG and the PPG Foundation’s $7.5 million gift to the SPARK! Campaign
is the single largest donation in the history of the Science Center. The PPG Science Pavilion reflects both PPG and the
Science Center’s lasting commitment to education, life, and career prospects of children and the economic vitality of the
Pittsburgh region."
ACTUALLY, PPG Industries (formerly known as Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company), provided exhibit funding for Pittsburgh's
original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science long before 1981. An optical illusion exhibit, called
"The Phantom Planet," was funded by PPG in the 1960s; in 1983, this exhibit adjoined a new optics exhibit called
"Image / Imagination." When
"Image / Imagination" was installed in the western section of Buhl's Great Hall on the first floor
in 1983, it displaced another, much larger exhibit funded by PPG in the 1960s,
"Gemmaux Masterpieces in Glass," which
included several back-lit art masterpieces (including one from Pablo Picasso) engraved in glass.
"Carnegie Science Center’s New PPG Science Pavilion™ To Open June 16." News Release.
DigitalJournal.com 2018 June 11.
"PPG and the Science Center began their partnership 37 years ago, starting with PPG’s support of the Science Center’s
predecessor organization,
Buhl Science Center, in 1981. PPG and the PPG Foundation’s $7.5 million gift to the SPARK! Campaign
is the single largest donation in the history of the Science Center. The PPG Science Pavilion reflects both PPG and the
Science Center’s lasting commitment to education, life, and career prospects of children and the economic vitality of the
Pittsburgh region."
ACTUALLY, PPG Industries (formerly known as Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company), provided exhibit funding for Pittsburgh's
original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science long before 1981. An optical illusion exhibit, called
"The Phantom Planet," was funded by PPG in the 1960s; in 1983, this exhibit adjoined a new optics exhibit called
"Image / Imagination." When
"Image / Imagination" was installed in the western section of Buhl's Great Hall on the first floor
in 1983, it displaced another, much larger exhibit funded by PPG in the 1960s,
"Gemmaux Masterpieces in Glass," which
included several back-lit art masterpieces (including one from Pablo Picasso) engraved in glass.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Science Experiments Children & Teens Can Do At Home !" Blog-Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2018 June 5.
Some schools, science centers / science museums, and even some public libraries offer science classes during the
Summer months, sometimes referred to as “Summer Camps.” At Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of
Popular Science, Summer classes were known as the “Summer Science Academy.”
One way may be to visit a science center / science museum, which sometimes allows the public to help conduct science
experiments. Several days of the week (particularly on Sundays), people could participate in science experiments in the
Discovery Lab of Pittsburgh's Buhl Science Center (a.k.a. original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science).
Tierney, Jacob.
"Las Vegas company buys historic bank building in Greensburg."
Tribune-Review, Greensburg PA 2018 May 21.
A Las Vegas company has purchased a stately bank building in downtown Greensburg that has been vacant since 2005.
The Barclay-Westmoreland Trust Co. building on the corner of South Main Street and Pittsburgh Street was constructed in 1928.
It housed financial institutions until 2005, when Citizens Bank — its final tenant — closed its branch there.
In 2007 developers Doug and Mari-Pat Lingsch bought the building from Citizens Bank for $258,000.
They wanted to turn it into a science museum that would bring tourists to Greensburg.
Then the recession happened. The developers were unable to raise the $1 million they wanted for renovations,
work on the museum never started, and the building sat vacant, said Greensburg Planning Director Barbara Ciampini.
Plantone's buys historic buildings all over the country to lease or sell, and he's particularly interested in banks.
“We convert them, re-rent them to banks or convert them to some other kind of function,” he said.
A lot of historic banks are closing down or moving to smaller facilities as people shift to online banking, he said.
“You've got these great buildings, many standalone, many in a downtown environment like this, that are going to have to be put to another use,” he said.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Library to be Established on the Moon !" Blog-Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2018 May 21.
In the latter part of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, famous industrialist and philanthropist
Andrew Carnegie, who grew-up on the North Side of Pittsburgh, funded the construction of 2,509 public libraries
worldwide (including 1,689 in the United States), as well as several academic libraries. Now, a Pittsburgh aerospace
company, Astrobotic, plans to fly a digital library to the Moon, as a way to preserve human knowledge.
"YEARS AGO FOR APRIL 21." Column.
The Vindicator, Youngstown OH 2018 April 21.
1968:
John Parker, sophomore at Chaney, wins third place in physics at the 1968 Pittsburgh National Science Fair at Buhl Planetarium with a cathode ray oscilloscope.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"50th Anniversary: Classic Science-Fiction Film "2001: A Space Odyssey." Blog-Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2018 April 10.
At the space hotel, a scientist telephoned his daughter on Earth, using a video pay telephone. This predicted
the type of video-phone service we have today, with services such as Skype. However, video-phone service did
have its beginnings in the mid-1960s, from research at Bell Laboratories. But, due to the high cost of the service
at that time, picture-phone service was not commercially successful.
AT&T first displayed picture-phone service [black-and-white, real-time picture (not slow-scan)] to the general public
in 1964, via a transcontinental connection between Disneyland in Anaheim, California and the World's Fair in
New York City (the author of this blog-post, Glenn A. Walsh, used the picture-phone at the New York World's Fair
in June of 1965). Picture-phone booths were also set-up in New York's Grand Central Terminal, Washington, and
Chicago in 1964.
The first general, commercial picture-phone service started in Pittsburgh on 1970 June 30. Picture-phones (38)
were leased by eight Pittsburgh corporations including Alcoa and Westinghouse, and by NBC's news / talk radio
station, WJAS-AM 1320 (which had helped inaugurate the Pittsburgh service). Two public demonstration,
picture-phone booths were set-up on the Mezzanine of Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of
Popular Science, as a part of Buhl's Bell Telephone Exhibit.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Photo: Rare Phenomenon - Toronto Skyline Seen Across Lake Ontario in NY State!" Blog-Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2018 March 6.
So, how is it that the skyline of Toronto, 42 miles / 68 kilometers away, can be seen across Lake Ontario?
The author put this question to Francis G. Graham, Professor Emeritus of Physics at Kent State University. Professor Graham, who earlier in his career
was a Planetarium and Observatory Lecturer at Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science, provided the following explanation:
Your question was asked of me in regards to Cleveland.
From the Key Bank top floor in Cleveland, one should not be able to see the shore of Canada across Lake Erie. The straight-line distance to the horizon places
the horizon in the middle of Lake Erie.
But due to refraction from warm air, Canada is occasionally glimpsed from the Key Bank building. I have not witnessed it, but it is reliably told.
The straight-line distance to the horizon is given by d in the Pythagorean Theorem,
d = square root of [ (R + h ) ^2 - (R)^2 ]
where h is the height of the structure and R is the radius of the Earth (which varies slightly).
Refraction can extend this. So it would be possible to see Toronto on some days across (Lake) Ontario.
Key (Bank) Tower, referred to by Professor Graham, is the tallest building in the state of Ohio, located on Public Square in the center of Downtown Cleveland. With 57 floors,
the building rises 947 feet / 289 meters to the top of the spire (the top floor is at a height of 888 feet / 271 meters).
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.
Harris, Megan.
"The Confluence's Ultimate Pittsburgh Christmas Bucket List."
WESA-FM 90.5 Pittsburgh 2017 Nov. 17.
1. The Miniature Railroad & Village: Formerly available to the public only during the holidays at its creator’s home,
and later at the Buhl Planetarium – is now on display year-round at the Carnegie Science Center on the
North Shore. The village features hundreds of animated scenes that illustrate how people lived, worked and played
in around the Steel City from the 1880s to the late 1930s, with occasional new additions.
Klimovich Harrop, Joanne.
"Primanti's a part of history at Carnegie Science Center Miniature Railroad & Village."
TribLive.com: Tribune-Review, Pittsburgh 2017 Nov. 15.
The miniature railroad & village has been a staple at the Science Center since 1992. It was first created by
Charles Bowdish of Brookville, Pa., a disable veteran of World War I, in 1919 and displayed at his home. In 1954,
the display moved to Buhl Planetarium on the North Side, and to the science center in 1992. Each fall, a new model
is added to the display.
"Primanti Bros. finds a home in Carnegie Science Center Miniature Railroad & Village."
TribLive.com: Tribune-Review, Pittsburgh 2017 Oct. 30.
The Miniature Railroad & Village was first created by Charles Bowdish in 1919 and displayed at his home.
In 1954, the display moved to Buhl Planetarium on Pittsburgh's North Side. It was relocated to
Carnegie Science Center in 1992.
The exhibit is closed now for annual maintenance and will re-open to the public on Nov. 20.
O'Driscoll, Bill.
"A one-woman show about opting out of motherhood." Theater Review.
Pittsburgh City Paper 2017 Oct. 25.
For Stacey Vespaziani, the question recalls a giant foam sperm she saw on a childhood school trip to the science
center (probably the North Side’s old Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science). It was part of a
birds-and-bees exhibit, and she marks the episode — the mystery, strangeness and implicit expectation
surrounding reproduction — as the start of a life-long perplexity about parenthood.
(This probably refers to Buhl Planetarium's long-running
"Wonder of Wonders" program, primarily scheduled
for school and youth groups; parental approval is necessary to attend this program.)
Freeman, Bradley C.
"Idea of a radio channel for children offers exciting possibilities." "Voices".
Today, Singapore 2017 Oct. 18.
In my hometown in the United States, there is a wonderful programme called the Saturday Light Brigade that is one of
the longest-running public radio shows in the world. Each weekend, it broadcasts from the Children’s Museum of
Pittsburgh. The show features family-friendly acoustic musical guests, on-air games and participatory puzzles, as well
as phone calls from children and adults.
The hosts also conduct off-air workshops for the kids to learn more about radio and the media in general.
The studios of the Saturday Light Brigade are located in Bowdish Gallery, formerly occupied by the popular Miniature
Railroad and Village, on the lower level of Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science.
Born, Molly.
"Obituary: James Paul Hughes / Longtime educator at Buhl Planetarium." Obituary.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2017 Oct. 16.
Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium is where James Hughes would spend most of his career,
beginning with operating the Zeiss II projector that was long used to display planets and other
cosmic gems on the domed ceiling of the “Theater of the Stars.”
"Ringgold Boosters to induct 10 into Hall of Fame."
Observer-Reporter, Washington PA 2017 Sept. 28.
Ten inductees, all graduates of either Donora or Monongahela high schools, will be honored in addition to
10 outstanding high school students at the Ringgold Boosters Hall of Fame Banquet.
Carl Francis Wapiennik, who graduated in 1945 from Donora High School. Wapiennik
was named in “Who’s Who in America” and was honored as “Man of the Year” by the Pittsburgh Jaycees.
These honors were based on his outstanding education accomplishments and civic generosity.
Wapiennik graduated magna cum laude in 1953 from the University of Pittsburgh with bachelor’s degree in physics.
He is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Pi Sigma national physics honor society.
In 1964, Wapiennik was named executive director of Buhl Planetarium, where he supervised the design and
production of numerous electro-mechanical visual effects for the Star Theater presentations and gallery exhibits.
He is well-known among area educators and students for his demonstration in general science and physics.
He participated in designing the planetarium’s unique Hall of the Universe, which features astronomy exhibits under
ultraviolet light. He also planned and developed the Star Theater’s 360-degree panoramic projection system, the
multiple speaker sound system and the master control console. These systems gave Buhl the distinction of being
able to present two sky dramas on the same day.
Before his work at Buhl, Wapiennik was employed by Radio Corp. of America, Canonsburg, and the Naval Research
Laboratories, Washington, D.C. He was a radar specialist aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Randolph during
World War II.
Mr. Wapiennik is co-inventor of a patented valve for controlling liquid flow without the use of moving parts.
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.
"HFF Announces $127.5M Financing for Nova Place and 106 Isabella in Pittsburgh." News Release.
BusinessWire.com 2017 Sept. 18.
Nova Place, a former urban mall that was converted into office use in the early 1990’s, comprises three office complexes
totaling 1,250,702 square feet – Concourse, Tower 1 and Tower 2 - and a 3,000-space parking garage. The property is
86 percent leased.
Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science building and the original
Carnegie Free Library of Allegheny
building are located just north of Nova Place (former Allegheny Center complex), in
Allegheny Square.
Blazina, Ed.
"Work starts on bike lanes around Allegheny Circle on Pittsburgh's North Side."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2017 Sept. 12.
The city’s long-term goal is to reconnect East and West Ohio streets, with the street running through the plaza at Nova
Place and in front of the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh (including original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular
Science building) and the New Hazlett Theater (and the adjacent Carnegie Free Library of Allegheny building). The city
already owns the rights of way for most of that project.
Paletta, Anthony.
"Renewing Renewal in Pittsburgh."
CityLab.com 2017 Sept. 5.
Neither catastrophic nor beloved, the post-war regeneration of Allegheny Center has quietly gone stale in recent years.
Today, it’s getting a much needed facelift.
Over 500 buildings and 850 families were removed and all but about ten structures within 30 blocks in the area.
Preservationists scored successes in retaining the former city’s Carnegie Library, Buhl Planetarium, and Post Office,
but nearly all else was leveled, including a historic market house.
* 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).
Weidenhof, Alex.
"Conservators assess damage to portraits found at old Carnegie Library on North Side."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2017 July 31.
The Carnegie Free Library of Allegheny, the first publicly-supported Carnegie Library in America which opened in
1890 in Andrew Carnegie's adopted hometown of Allegheny, Pennsylvania (now Pittsburgh's North Side), is being
renovated by the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh (located next-door in Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and
Institute of Popular Science building).
"Renovations At Old Carnegie Library Uncover Lost Works Of Art."
KDKA-TV 2, Pittsburgh 2017 July 25.
The Carnegie Free Library of Allegheny, the first publicly-supported Carnegie Library in America which opened in
1890 in Andrew Carnegie's adopted hometown of Allegheny, Pennsylvania (now Pittsburgh's North Side), is being
renovated by the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh (located next-door in Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and
Institute of Popular Science building).
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).
"Buhl Science Center Seating - $100 (South Side Flats)." Sale Listing.
Pittsburgh.CraigsList.org 2017 July 5.
Sale listing of two former red seats from the original Buhl Planetarium at the Buhl Science Center, Pittsburgh.
Toledo, Adalberto, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
"Obituary: Donald Deets / High school chemistry teacher loved to blow things up for Independence Day." Obituary.
Reading (PA) Eagle / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette / Associated Press 2017 July 4.
Donald Deets was the faculty sponsor of the Instructional Media Department (i.e. AV Department) at the Pittsburgh-
suburban Shaler Area High School (when Friends of the Zeiss Project Director Glenn Walsh was the student director
of the Instructional Media Department); in later years, he was “Don the Science Guy” at Pittsburgh's Carnegie Science Center.
Blazina, Ed.
"City weighing options for 'moat road' around Allegheny Center."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2017 June 19.
The long-range plan calls for reinstituting the connection between East and West Ohio streets with the street running
through the plaza at Nova Place (originally Allegheny Center) and in front of the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh
(including Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science) and the New Hazlett Theater
(originally the
world's first Carnegie Hall, adjacent to America's first publicly-funded Carnegie Library, the
Carnegie
Free Library of Allegheny). The city already owns the rights of way for most of that project.
ALSO SEE:
"Brian O'Neill: Restoring sane lanes 'round old Allegheny Center."
Mullaney, James J.
"Stargazing Simplified."
Sky and Telescope Magazine 2014 April (Internet Reprint: 2017 June 6).
Authored by James J. Mullaney, astronomy writer, lecturer, and consultant who has served as Curator of Exhibits
and Astronomy 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.
2017 April 22 -
March for Science - Pittsburgh
Attended by Friends of the Zeiss Project Director Glenn A. Walsh.
Also distributed flyer for Friends of the Zeiss' public observing session for the
Great American Solar Eclipse on 2017 August 21.
Thomas, Mary Ann.
"Henry Hillman, renowned Pittsburgh businessman and philanthropist, dies."
TribLive.com: Tribune-Review, Pittsburgh 2017 April 14.
Hillman died at age 98.
He served on the boards of a number of Pittsburgh nonprofits and civic icons such as the Carnegie Museums of
Pittsburgh, Children's Hospital, the University of Pittsburgh, Action Housing, the Urban Redevelopment Authority and
the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.
Memorial contributions can be sent to the Hillman Cancer Center/University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute or to the
Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science (a.k.a. Buhl Science Center) merged with The
Carnegie Institute (a.k.a. Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh) in January of 1987.
Rutter, Joe.
"Steelers' Rooney remembered fondly by his beloved North Side."
TribLive.com: Tribune-Review, Pittsburgh 2017 April 14.
Pittsburgh Steelers' Chairman Dan Rooney died on 2017 April 13 at age 84.
Rooney was so proud of his neighborhood that, earlier this decade, he co-authored a book with local historian Carol
Peterson titled, “Allegheny City: A History of Pittsburgh's North Side.” Rooney was deeply involved in efforts to
preserve the North Side's history, neighbors said.
After Glenn A. Walsh notified Carnegie Library (by electronic mail on 2007 March 6) that the explanatory plate of the
Colonel James Anderson Memorial (gifted by Andrew Carnegie in 1904) was missing, later on Dan Rooney paid to
replace this explanatory plate. In 1988, this memorial had been reassembled and rededicated across from the
entrance to the Carnegie Free Library of Allegheny, on the east lawn of Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and
Institute of Popular Science.
Murphy, Kara.
"Pittsburgh lives up to new nickname, Kidsburgh."
GoErie.com 2017 Feb. 19.
We got to the city mid-day Friday and headed straight for the four-floor Carnegie Science Center. The center, opened
in 1991, is perched over the Ohio River on Pittsburgh's north shore. It is in the process of a $21 million expansion,
which will include 14,000 additional feet of exhibit space when it is completed in spring 2018.
The next day we were off to the Children's Museum, also on Pittsburgh's north side...We all went "wow" when we
turned a corner and found the "Garage," a former planetarium repurposed into a cavernous room of creative play.
We traveled from the museum to the Duquesne Incline, which the kids had watched go up and down the hill the day
before from the windows of the Science Center.
By then, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History was getting ready to open and we squeezed what could have been
easily an entire day of learning into two hours. The full-sized dinosaur skeletons were awesome, and the kids enjoyed
getting hands-on time as paleontologists at the Bonehunters Quarry.
We also speed-walked through the adjoining Carnegie Museum of Art, with my 5-year-old tugging me forward chanting
"this is boring, this is boring."
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.
"Book: "Einstein for Anyone: A Quick Read"." Blog-Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2016 Dec. 15.
David Topper, who grew up in Pittsburgh in the 1940s and 1950s, credits Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and
Institute of Popular Science for his interest in Science. He says, "I have very fond memories of the Buhl Planetarium...It
stimulated my interest in science and especially astronomy, which has not abated over the years."
Kane, Karen.
"Obituary: Marilyn Skolnick / Monroeville activist traveled the world." Obituary.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2016 Dec. 13.
Marilyn Skolnick was a long-time member of the Port Authority of Allegheny County (PAT) Board of Directors who
created PAT's citizen advisory committee, the Allegheny County Transit Council.
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.
"White House Science Frontiers Conference & Astronomy Night in Pittsburgh." Blog-Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2016 Oct. 14.
U.S. President Barack Obama attends first Frontiers Conference at Carnegie Mellon University and the University of
Pittsburgh. Eighth annual White House Astronomy Night occurred at the historic Allegheny Observatory.
O'Neill, Brian.
"Brian O'Neill: Restoring sane lanes 'round old Allegheny Center." Column: Brian O'Neill.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2016 Oct. 6.
Includes possible re-connection of East and West Ohio Streets, which run in front of Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science,
the
world's first Carnegie Hall, and America's first publicly-funded Carnegie Library, the
Carnegie Free Library of Allegheny).
ALSO SEE:
"City weighing options for 'moat road' around Allegheny Center.".
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.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"City Council Approves Legal Transfer of Historic Hazelwood Library to URA." Blog-Post.
LibraryWatchtower 2016 Sept. 26.
Regarding proposed sale, by the City of Pittsburgh, of the historic Hazelwood Branch building of
The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, which was the first Carnegie Library neighborhood branch system.
The City should seek reuse of the Hazelwood Library building the same way it sought reuse of the historic Buhl
Planetarium building in 2002---by long-term lease. This way, the City retains control of the historic structure for the benefit of city residents.
Councilwoman Harris said that the City Law Department had already confirmed to her that the historic
Carnegie Free Library of Allegheny, located in Allegheny Center next to the historic Buhl Planetarium,
could not be legally sold by the City. As with the historic Hazelwood Library, the historic Allegheny Library was
abandoned by Carnegie Library in the last decade, in favor of newer, down-sized library branches.
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.
"City Council Preliminarily Approves Sale of Historic Hazelwood Library." Blog-Post.
LibraryWatchtower 2016 Sept. 15.
Regarding proposed sale, by the City of Pittsburgh, of the historic Hazelwood Branch building of
The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, which was the first Carnegie Library neighborhood branch system.
The City should seek reuse of the Hazelwood Library building the same way it sought reuse of the historic Buhl
Planetarium building in 2002---by long-term lease. This way, the City retains control of the historic structure for the benefit of city residents.
Councilwoman Harris said that the City Law Department had already confirmed to her that the historic
Carnegie Free Library of Allegheny, located in Allegheny Center next to the historic Buhl Planetarium,
could not be legally sold by the City. As with the historic Hazelwood Library, the historic Allegheny Library was
abandoned by Carnegie Library in the last decade, in favor of newer, down-sized library branches. She said that the City
Law Department is still conducting research, regarding whether the historic Hazelwood Library can legally be sold by the City.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Historic Hazelwood Library Public Hearing." Blog-Post.
LibraryWatchtower 2016 Sept. 13.
Regarding proposed sale, by the City of Pittsburgh, of the historic Hazelwood Branch building of
The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, which was the first Carnegie Library neighborhood branch system.
The City should seek reuse of the Hazelwood Library building the same way it sought reuse of the historic Buhl
Planetarium building in 2002---by long-term lease. This way, the City retains control of the historic structure for the benefit of city residents.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Proposed Sale of Historic Hazelwood Library: Public Hearing Thursday." Blog-Post.
LibraryWatchtower 2016 Sept. 5.
Regarding proposed sale, by the City of Pittsburgh, of the historic Hazelwood Branch building of
The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, which was the first Carnegie Library neighborhood branch system.
The City should seek reuse of the Hazelwood Library building the same way it sought reuse of the historic Buhl
Planetarium building in 2002---by long-term lease. This way, the City retains control of the historic structure for the benefit of city residents.
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.
"Keep Historic Hazelwood Library as City Property." Blog-Post.
LibraryWatchtower 2016 Aug. 18.
Regarding proposed sale, by the City of Pittsburgh, of the historic Hazelwood Branch building of
The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, which was the first Carnegie Library neighborhood branch system.
The City should seek reuse of the Hazelwood Library building the same way it sought reuse of the historic Buhl
Planetarium building in 2002---by long-term lease. This way, the City retains control of the historic structure for the benefit of city residents.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Statement before the Council of the City of Pittsburgh: Proposed Sale of Historic Hazelwood Branch Bldg.,
Carnegie Library." Public Statement.
Pittsburgh City Council 2016 July 20.
The City should seek reuse of the Hazelwood Library building the same way it sought reuse of the
historic Buhl Planetarium building in 2002---by long-term lease. This way, the City retains control of the
historic structure for the benefit of city residents.
O'Shea. Ryan.
"NASA astronaut comes home, talks Pittsburgh roots." Text and Video News Story.
WTAE-TV 4. Pittsburgh 2016 July 16.
Includes brief, partial views of the historic
Zeiss II Planetarium Projector
from Pittsburgh's original
Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science,
as displayed at the entrance to the Science Stage Theater of Pittsburgh's Carnegie Science Center.
Deitch, Charlie.
"Pittsburgh's 'Q Morning Show' with Jim Krenn ends after one year;
Comedian Mike Wysocki will continue writing 'City Paper' sports column." Blog Post.
Pittsburgh City Paper: Blogh 2016 July 5.
Former Buhl Planetarium Floor Aide Jim Krenn, who is now a well-known radio celebrity and stand-up comic,
has ended a radio show with WLTJ-FM / Q-92.9 (for many years, he was also the morning host on WDVE-FM 102.5);
apparently, he will continue to be associated with WLTJ-FM (in the late 1950s, when WLTJ-FM was known as KDKA-FM,
the station was the first FM radio station to broadcast in stereo, although on an experimental basis).
May 9 - Safe Public Viewing of Rare Astronomical Event." News Release.
Friends of the Zeiss 2016 April 14.
"Lloyd Shapley dies at 92; UCLA professor won Nobel for game-theory work."
Los Angeles Times / Associated Press 2016 March 14.
"Lloyd S. Shapley, Professor Emeritus of the University of California at Los Angeles and son of distinguished 20th century
astronomer
Harlow Shapley,
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."
Gilchrist, Shannon.
"President who helped revive COSI announces he'll retire."
Columbus Dispatch 2016 Jan. 29.
David E. Chesebrough, president and CEO of COSI Columbus, announced this morning that he will retire at the end of
2016. He worked at Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science (a.k.a. Buhl Science Center)
in the 1980s and early 1990s. From 1991 to 1994, he was Carnegie Science Center Assistant Director in charge of the
Allegheny Square Annex of The Carnegie Science Center, which consisted of operations in the original Buhl Planetarium
building.
Brenneman, Wendy.
"Let's talk about science: Freezing and melting."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2016 Jan. 21.
By Wendy Brenneman, early childhood coordinator, Carnegie Science Center.
Remember to save a snowball in your freezer for snowball day at Carnegie Science Center in the summer.
"Save a snowball now for Carnegie Science Center this summer."
The Tribune-Review, Pittsburgh 2016 Jan. 12.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Snowballs on the First Day of Summer!" Blog Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2015 June 21.
Talks about former Buhl Planetarium Public Relations Director Caroljo Lee Henderson,
who initiated the promotion, in 1985, to have snowballs brought to Buhl Planetarium
on the day of the Summer Solstice.
Wills, Rick.
"Drilling issues bring book on Middlesex's past into spotlight."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2015 May 9.
Talks about book of the definitive history of Middlesex Township, Butler County, written by former Buhl Planetarium Public
Relations Director Caroljo Lee Henderson, now age 80. Also talks about Ben Byrer, now age 96, who
painted several
murals which were once displayed in Buhl Planetarium's
Hall of the Universe. When
The Carnegie Science Center chose
not to move these murals to the new science center, Mr. Byrer donated them to the Hoover-Price Planetarium in his
native Canton, Ohio.
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.
"Save Toronto's McLaughlin Planetarium building." Change.org Public Petition.
Change.org Accessed 2015 March 12.
Campbell-Dollaghan, Kelsey.
"The Insanely Complicated Logistics of Building a Planetarium."
Gizmodo.com 2015 March 11.
Kirkland, Kevin.
"Century Club: Arts and education supporter Ann Power Wardrop turns 100." Column: Century Club.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2015 March 3.
As Life Trustee of The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Ann Wardrop was instrumental in having "Labor," the Andrew
Carnegie memorial to his mentor, Col. James Anderson, reconstructed in the late 1980s. Originally donated to
Allegheny City, Pennsylvania in 1904 by Andrew Carnegie, the Daniel Chester French memorial, which includes the
statue, "The Reading Blacksmith," was originally located adjacent to the original Carnegie Free Library of Allegheny
building at the corner of East Ohio Street and Federal Street (now known as Allegheny Square, caddy-corner to the
Buhl Community Park at Allegheny Square). The memorial was reconstructed directly across a pedestrian mall walkway
(former Federal Street) from the main library entrance, on the east lawn of Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and
Institute of Popular Science.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Tue. Morning Fireball Over Pittsburgh Seen in Several States." Blog Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2015 Feb. 19.
Belko, Mark.
"New York firm buys North Side's Allegheny Center office complex."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2015 Feb. 19.
Fleisher, Chris.
"New York developer takes control of Allegheny Center in North Side."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2015 Feb. 19.
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.
Santoni, Matthew.
"Mt. Lebanon High School to sell its planetarium equipment.
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2015 Jan. 25.
* Friends of the Zeiss-related
News Articles Regarding the 75th Anniversary of Buhl Planetarium: 2014 October 24.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"WHEN PITTSBURGH GOT ITS PLANETARIUM
"The 75th anniversary of America's 5th major planetarium."
Planetarian 2014 December: 50.
Click here for
a history of Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science starting on page 50 of the .pdf file
of this article in the Quarterly Journal of the International Planetarium Society.
Skirtich, Ed.
"Science Center train exhibit reaches milestone."
The Northside Chronicle On-Line, Pittsburgh 2014 Dec. 11.
The 60th anniversary of the Miniature Railroad and Village in Pittsburgh includes a scale-model of the original
Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science building.
"SCIENCE CENTER TO HOST WEEKEND OF TRAIN-THEMED FUN." News Release.
Carnegie Science Center 2014 Dec. 3.
All of this is in addition to the beloved Miniature Railroad & Village® with its newest feature, the Buhl Planetarium;
a mini-railroad and village around the holiday tree in the main lobby; and dozens of historic model train artifacts from
Lionel’s private collection.
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.
"BUHL PLANETARIUM BUILDING TO BE UNVEILED IN MINIATURE RAILROAD ." News Release.
Carnegie Science Center 2014 Nov. 17.
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.
Santoni, Matthew.
"Former submariner was vessel of knowledge." Obituary.
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review On-Line 2014 Oct. 12.
Started his Navy career on submarines in World War II, and for many years he served as a Tour Guide of the USS Requin submarine,
located on the Ohio River next to The Carnegie Science Center, beginning in 1990 when the USS Requin tours were operated by the Buhl Science Center.
"Buhl Planetarium observes 75th with space events."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2014 Oct. 7.
Karlovits, Bob.
"Buhl Planetarium at 75: Still state-of-the-art science."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review On-Line 2014 Oct. 4.
"SCIENCE CENTER TO COMMEMORATE 75 YEARS OF BUHL PLANETARIUM
ASTRONOMY-THEMED EVENTS, EDUCATION ACADEMY TO FETE PITTSBURGH ICON."
News Release.
Carnegie Science Center 2014 Sept. 29.
"OCT. 23 – SAFE PUBLIC VIEWING OF SOLAR ECLIPSE AT MT. LEBANON PUBLIC LIBRARY,
ON EVE OF 75TH ANNIV. OF BUHL PLANETARIUM." News Release.
Friends of the Zeiss 2014 Sept. 15.
Kane, Karen.
"Colorful former Pittsburgh Mayor Sophie Masloff died Sunday morning." Obituary.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2014 Aug. 17.
Wereschagin, Mike.
"Former Pittsburgh Mayor Sophie Masloff dies." Obituary.
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2014 Aug. 17.
When former Mayor Sophie Masloff was a City Councilwoman, in the 1980s, she was the City liaison to the
Board of Directors of the Buhl Science Center (a.k.a. Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular
Science).
Smith, Craig.
"Narrator deeply loved music, art, local sports." Obituary.
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2014 Aug. 16.
Born, Molly.
"Obituary: Raymond W. Lehman / Shared his love of classical music across three decades." Obituary.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2014 Aug. 14.
Ray Lehman was a retired radio announcer, who served as a Floor Supervisor and a Planetarium Show Narrator at the
Buhl Science Center (a.k.a. Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science) in the early 1990s.
"SPLASH! Kick Off to Summer Community Free Day - Children's Museum of Pittsburgh." Web Page Notice
Children's Museum of Pittsburgh 2014 June 21.
Sponsored by the Jack Buncher Foundation.
From 1985 to 1991, Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science
(a.k.a. Buhl Science Center) provided an annual free-of-charge day to the public, in honor of the Summer Solstice.
Also see:
*
Carnegie Science Center Reuse of
1980s "Snowballs on Summer Solstice Day" Promotion of Pittsburgh's Original Buhl Planetarium and
Institute of Popular Science
*
Annual Summer Solstice Day Event at Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science,
1985 to 1991
Mullaney, James J.
"Stargazing Simplified."
Sky and Telescope Magazine 2014 April (Internet Reprint: 2017 June 6).
Authored by James J. Mullaney, astronomy writer, lecturer, and consultant who has served as Curator of Exhibits
and Astronomy at Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science.
"CALLING ALL SCIENCE FAIR ALUMNI - HELP CELEBRATE 75 YEARS OF SCIENCE!
"PITTSBURGH REGIONAL SCIENCE & ENGINEERING FAIR TO HOLD 75TH COMPETITION." News Release.
Carnegie Science Center 2014 March 4.
More on the history of the Pittsburgh Regional Science and Engineering Fair, which began as the Pittsburgh Regional
School Science and Engineering Fair at Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science in the
Spring of 1940, the oldest regional science and engineering fair in the country!
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Museum & Library Workers Seek Better Treatment." Blog Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2014 Feb. 27.
Last week, the Pittsburgh City Paper ran a story on a new initiative by museum and library workers in the city, to seek better pay, benefits,
and greater say in the work place. For many of these cultural-industry workers, the issue came to the forefront when some non-profit employers,
including Carnegie Museums and Carnegie Libraries, cut employee hours, to avoid the expense of complying with the Federal Affordable Care Act,
thus denying these part-time workers the opportunity to purchase discounted health care insurance.
Included is a letter-to-the-editor by former Buhl Planetarium employee and former Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall
Life Trustee Glenn A. Walsh regarding this issue. Viability of Carnegie Science Center's latest $55 million expansion plan is questioned.
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.
Graham, Francis G.
"Mars Rover Sees Mystery Rock Suddenly Appear." Blog Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2014 Jan. 20.
Source: Francis G. Graham, Professor Emeritus of Physics, Kent State University;
former Planetarium Lecturer & Observatory Observer, Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium
and Institute of Popular Science;
Steering Commitee Member, Friends of the Zeiss;
Reporting for SpaceWatchtower, a project of Friends of the Zeiss.
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.
Horn, Alyse.
"Save a snowball for the summer solstice."
The Northside Chronicle On-Line, Pittsburgh 2014 Jan. 9.
The idea was thought of in 2007 by the museum as a way to kick off the first day of summer and “saving a snowball in the winter to get a summer
bargain [that] made winter a little less painful,” Zimecki said.
Actually, this
snowball promotion on the Summer Solstice Day was the idea of Public Relations Director Jo Lee at Pittsburgh's original
Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science (a.k.a. Buhl Science Center) in 1985.
Hennessy, Mike.
"Let's Talk About: Tesla and Kaufman." Column: Let's Talk About.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2014 Jan. 2.
In 1950 Kaufman's
Tesla Coil was donated to Pittsburgh's original
Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science. This Tesla Coil is now demonstrated
in the Works Theater at
Pittsburgh's
Carnegie Science Center.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"2014: 75th Year of Pittsburgh's Buhl Planetarium." Electronic Mail-Group Message.
South Hills Backyard Astronomers Mail-Group 2014 Jan. 1
2014: 75th Year of Pittsburgh's Buhl Planetarium
With the beginning of 2014, it is well into the 75th year of operation of Pittsburgh's Buhl Planetarium. The 75th
anniversary of The Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science will be October 24.
The Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science / Buhl Science Center: 1939 October 24 to 1991 August 31
Henry Buhl, Jr. Planetarium and Observatory at The Kamin (Carnegie) Science Center: 1991 October 5 to Present
https://buhlplanetarium.tripod.com/75years/quickhistory.html
Walsh, Glenn A.
"The Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania U.S.A.
"Quick History and Current Use of Building by Children's Museum." Updated Web Page.
History of The Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science, Pittsburgh 2013 Dec. 28.
* Friends of the Zeiss-related
News Articles Regarding the 75th Anniversary of Buhl Planetarium: 2014 October 24.
Brehun, Deborah A.
"Holiday traditions in Ligonier keep childhood memories on track."
Tribune-Review, Greensburg PA 2013 Dec. 25.
“Every Christmas, when he was a child, he would go to see the train display at Buhl Planetarium in Pittsburgh,” said Carol Sheats.
“We took our son to see the display at Christmas, too.”
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Historic Buhl Planetarium Flag Pole Refurbished, Back-in-Use." Blog Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2013 Dec. 7.
Also see:
The Historic Flag Pole At Pittsburgh's Original
Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science
Walsh, Glenn A.
"John Fitzgerald Kennedy: The Loss of the Man Who Sent Us to the Moon - A Personal Remembrance From 50 Years Ago." Blog Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2013 Nov. 22.
Starting on my tenth birthday (1965 November 12) I made my first of many visits (particularly during junior high school)
to Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science. Years later, I would go on to become
Astronomical Observatory Coordinator and a Planetarium Lecturer at the original Buhl Planetarium, as well as Curator
of a fairly unique embryology exhibit where chicks (and occasionally ducklings) were hatched before visitors' eyes
every weekend.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Laserium: 40th Anniversary." Blog Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2013 Nov. 19.
2013 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.
Zlatos, Bill.
"Pittsburgh's Buhl Foundation to focus efforts on North Side."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2013 Nov. 14.
Buhl made a fortune in retail with his partner, Russell Boggs. The Boggs and Buhl Department Store sat across from what now is the
Children's Museum of Pittsburgh (inside The Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science building), and Buhl never forgot that much of his
money came from the North Side.
Buhl has given the museum $2.5 million since 2002. Most of the money went for an expansion in 2004 and the development of Buhl Community
Park in Allegheny Square. Werner said she has been talking with Buhl officials about another expansion of the museum into space once occupied
by the Carnegie Library that closed as a result of a lightning strike in 2006. The library reopened in 2009 (in a new building three blocks north of the
historic building) with $1 million in help from Buhl.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Saving Library Materials: "Great Depression Mentality" ???" Blog Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2013 Nov. 5.
When I was a Library Trustee (at the
Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall in Carnegie, Pennsylvania),
I sought and received the donation of several additional book stacks, so our small library did not have to weed as
many materials out of the collection. At the same time, a reference librarian told me that many older books, magazines,
and journals had been discarded from
Carnegie Library’s Allegheny Regional Branch (located next-door to
Pittsburgh's original
Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science). Are all of these discarded materials now
available on-line or on microfilm in Allegheny County? I doubt it.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Sat. Memorial Service for John McCarter, Buhl Planetarium Supporter." Blog Obituary.
SpaceWatchtower 2013 Oct. 3.
O'Hare, Michael.
"Memories of such things make up a life."
Leader Times, Kittanning PA 2013 Sept. 19.
I grew up just a few miles down the Ohio River from the Point and Pittsburgh was always in my awareness. My favorite places included the (then)
Buhl Planetarium, the Carnegie Library branches on the North Side and Oakland, the University of Pittsburgh's Cathedral of Learning, eventually
Point State Park and the streets throughout the center city.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Carnegie Library Bldg. May Be Reused by Children's Museum." Blog Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2013 Sept. 3.
Regarding the possible reuse of the historic
Carnegie Free Library of Allegheny building,
America's first publicly-funded Carnegie Library, by the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh,
as they reused the historic
Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science building, next-door, in 2004.
Nelson Jones, Diana.
"Children's Museum may expand into former library."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2013 August 3.
The Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, which started in 1983 in the basement of the
Old Allegheny Post Office,
later occupied the entire post office building, and expanded into the original
Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science in 2004,
is now considering the possibility of offering programming in the
building that formerly held the
Allegheny Regional Branch of The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (the first publicly-funded Carnegie Library in America),
in historic
Allegheny Square on the Lower North Side of Pittsburgh.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Former Buhl Planetarium Curator Jim Mullaney To Be On National Radio." Blog Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2013 June 26.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Buhl Planetarium / Science Center: Recent Deaths." Blog Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2013 June 8.
Over the last month, there were three losses to the Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science / Buhl Science Center family:
Bob Hertrick, Paul McCaffery, and David Henderson (husband of Jo Lee Henderson).
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).
Robert G. Hertrick, Classified Obituary. Death Notice.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2013 May 11.
Former Buhl Science Center Volunteer and Floor Aide
Bob Hertrick unexpectedly passed-away at age 60.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Biopic on Life of Nikola Tesla to Start Filming." Blog Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2013 May 3.
1,200,000-volt Oudin-type Tesla Coil Built for Pittsburgh's Original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Centennial: Science Research @ Mellon Institute." Blog Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2013 March 28.
Products ranging from antifreeze and synthetic rubber to casings that allow hot dogs to be mass produced,
and even the bouncy toy Silly Putty as an accidental discovery, were developed at the Mellon Institute of Industrial
Research, which celebrates its centennial this month. The Institute's eight-story, neo-classical building,
built at a cost of $10 million, opened in May of 1937, two and one-half years before the 1939 October 24 dedication
of the three-floor, art-deco building of Pittsburgh's original
Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science,
built at a cost of $1.07 million. In 1967, Mellon Institute merged with the Carnegie Institute of Technology to form
Carnegie Mellon University.
Harding, Margaret and Carl Prine.
"Pittsburgh police department places few limits on outside work."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review On-Line 2013 March 16.
During the 1980s and early 1990s, one Pittsburgh Police Officer (from the former Number Nine Precinct on upper
Federal Street) was assigned to an off-duty special detail at Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and
Institute of Popular Science, Thursday through Sunday evenings, for security with Buhl Planetarium's evening
laser-light concerts. The police officers would be on-duty on Thursday and Sunday evenings from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.
(for laser-light concerts at 8:00 and 9:15 p.m.) and on Friday and Saturday nights from 7:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
(for the laser-light concerts at 8:00, 9:15, 10:30 p.m., and 12:00 Midnight).
McCoy, Adrian.
"Krenn's newest gig: a podcast."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2013 March 13.
Comedian and former WDVE-FM morning drive-time radio host Jim Krenn worked as a Floor Aide at Pittsburgh's original
Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science in the 1970s.
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.
"Pittsburgh-Area Librarian Receives National Award." Blog Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2013 Feb. 15.
Before starting to work as a children's librarian at Mount Lebanon in 1983, she held similar positions at the
Pleasant Hills Library and at the-then newly-opened Squirrel Hill Branch of The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.
Last year, Friends of the Zeiss and the Mount Lebanon Public Library co-sponsored a safe public viewing,
through telescopes, of the very rare Transit of the Planet Venus across the image of the Sun. Although clouds
prevented the public from viewing the June 5 early evening event with the telescopes, the public was still able to
watch the event via a live web-cast in a library meeting room.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Happy Holidays, Brought to You by Lasers." Blog Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2012 Dec. 25.
For decades, holiday-themed laser-light shows have been a staple at many science centers, including during the
1980s and early 1990s at Pittsburgh's original
Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science
(a.k.a. Buhl Science Center).
Now, industrial lasers are adding to seasonal cheer with exquisitely-detailed Christmas cards cut with a laser,
a fiber laser-cut Christmas tree in three reflective metals, and even a laser-cut Gingerbread House !
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Was the Star of Bethlehem Real ?" Blog Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2012 Dec. 24.
This age-old question was the topic of the classic
"The Star of Bethlehem" planetarium sky drama,
performed each Christmas season 1939 through 1990, in the
The Theater of the Stars
of Pittsburgh's original
Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science.
"'How to' Science Fair Project Video Series from NASA." Blog Posting.
SpaceWatchtower 2012 Dec. 22.
The
Pittsburgh Regional School Science and Engineering Fair, the third oldest Science Fair in the United States
(the oldest regional Science Fair in a major metropolitan area; the two older fairs are state-wide fairs),
originated at Pittsburgh's original
Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science in the Spring of 1940.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Transit of Venus Viewed From Saturn." Blog Posting.
SpaceWatchtower 2012 Dec. 22.
Friends of the Zeiss sponsored the City of Pittsburgh's only public viewing, with telescopes, of the
2004 Transit of Venus across the image of the Sun.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Friday Morning Winter Begins - Apocalypse ?." Blog Posting.
SpaceWatchtower 2012 Dec. 20.
Regarding the completion of the 12th baktun of the Mayan Calendar, which some erroneously predicted as the "end of the world."
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Meteorite From Calif. Fireball Found." Blog Posting.
SpaceWatchtower 2012 Oct. 22.
Buhl Planetarium Meteorite: Fifth largest meteorite fragment from Barringer Meteor Crater near Winslow, Arizona.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Crowd-Funding Saves Tesla Electricity Lab." Blog Posting.
SpaceWatchtower 2012 Oct. 19.
A
large one million-volt Oudin-type Tesla Coil was demonstrated at Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science.
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."
"Lloyd Shapley dies at 92; UCLA professor won Nobel for game-theory work."
Los Angeles Times / Associated Press 2016 March 14.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Brashear House & Factory: Nomination to National Register of Historic Places ." Blog Posting.
SpaceWatchtower 2012 Oct. 11.
Comments of Glenn A. Walsh, Project Director of
Friends of the Zeiss, in support of nomination.
Both
Henry Clay Frick and
Andrew Carnegie were good friends of John Brashear.
John Brashear accompanied
Andrew Carnegie to the dedication of the
Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall,
in Carnegie, Pennsylvania, on 1902 April 22.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Historic Nomination: John Brashear House & Factory, Pittsburgh ." Blog Posting.
SpaceWatchtower 2012 Sept. 13.
Both
Henry Clay Frick and
Andrew Carnegie were good friends of John Brashear.
John Brashear accompanied
Andrew Carnegie to the dedication of the
Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall,
in Carnegie, Pennsylvania, on 1902 April 22.
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.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"NASA Strategic Direction Study: Glenn Walsh's Public Comments." Blog Posting.
SpaceWatchtower 2012 Aug. 18.
"Vi ‘Nanna’ R. Marich." Obituary.
Parkersburg News and Sentinel 2012 Aug. 12.
Vi Marich worked as the Chief Accountant at Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science
during the 1980s and 1990s, along with her daughter Kathy Schoen.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Pittsburgh's Allegheny Observatory History Video Now Available." Blog Posting.
SpaceWatchtower 2012 July 25.
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 Community Park at Allegheny Square Opens." Blog Posting.
SpaceWatchtower 2012 June 25.
Rebuilt Allegheny Square Plaza/Park, in front of Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science
and the original Carnegie Free Library of Allegheny, opens to the general public.
"look up!" Column: "down in front."
Mt. Lebanon Magazine 2012 June.
Article about upcoming Transit of Venus public viewing event at the Mount Lebanon Public Library on the early evening of June 5.
(E-Book version of print edition; article at top of page 7.)
"venus on the move." Column: "down in front."
Mt. Lebanon Magazine On-Line 2012 June.
Article about upcoming Transit of Venus public viewing event at the Mount Lebanon Public Library on the early evening of June 5.
(Third of three brief news articles in "down in front" column.)
"JUNE 5 - SAFE PUBLIC VIEWING OF RARE ASTRONOMICAL EVENT WITH
4.5-INCH REFLECTOR TELESCOPE AT MT. LEBANON PUBLIC LIBRARY. News Release.
Friends of the Zeiss 2012 May 29.
Includes
Transit of Venus - Frequently Asked Questions.
"June 5 - Safe Public Viewing of Rare Astronomical Event." Poster/Flyer 2.
Friends of the Zeiss 2012 May 23.
"June 5 - Safe Public Viewing of Rare Astronomical Event." Poster/Flyer 1.
Friends of the Zeiss 2012 May 13.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Mystery: Brashear Telescope Donated by Frick to Pittsburgh Suburb Missing for Decades." Blog Posting.
SpaceWatchtower 2012 May 7.
John Brashear telescope donated to Mount Pleasant PA, by industrialist Henry Clay Frick (then an executive with the
Carnegie Steel Company), has been missing for decades after being removed for restoration.
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.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Pittsburgh's Allegheny Observatory: New History Film." Blog Posting.
SpaceWatchtower 2012 April 19.
New film documentary regarding the largest astronomical observatory located within the city limits of a major American city.
Henry Clay Frick and Andrew Carnegie helped John Brashear construct the new Allegheny Observatory building.
Samuel Pierpont Langley, James E. Keeler, and John Brashear were Directors of the original Allegheny Observatory.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Buhl Planetarium Chick Curator Revisits Chickens at Carnegie Library." Blog Posting.
SpaceWatchtower 2012 April 11.
Regarding former Buhl Planetarium Embryology Exhibit Curator Glenn A. Walsh's attendance of an urban chicken farming
program at the historic West End Branch of The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. Includes a photograph of Mr. Walsh holding
a mature chicken during the program.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Indiana Newspaper: Walsh on Carnegie Library History." Blog Posting.
SpaceWatchtower 2012 April 8.
Friends of the Zeiss Project Director Glenn A. Walsh quoted on Carnegie Library history in the Sunday edition of
The Tribune-Star of Terre Haute, Indiana.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"1 Week: Pittsburgh Subway Extension Open
Precise Times of First Subway Trains." Blog Posting.
SpaceWatchtower 2012 April 1.
New North Side Subway Station is only three blocks from Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science,
and the original
Carnegie Free Library of Allegheny and
America's First
Carnegie Hall,
in Allegheny Square.
Smydo, Joe.
"North Side park could get new name."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette On-Line 2012 March 6.
Allegheny Public Square on the North Side may be getting a new name.
Pittsburgh City Council President Darlene Harris today introduced legislation that would rename the space
"Buhl Community Park at Allegheny Square," reflecting the Buhl Foundation's support for
the Pittsburgh Children's Museum.
The museum, which is raising more than $6 million to renovate the park, requested the name change.
Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science and Carnegie Free Library of Allegheny
and Carnegie Hall sit on Allegheny Square.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Former Buhl Planetarium & Observatory Lecturer Bestowed as Kent State University Professor Emeritus."
Blog Posting.
SpaceWatchtower 2012 Feb. 17.
* Rutkoski, Rex.
"WDVE Morning Show faces change but formula remains the same."
Valley News Dispatch Tarentum/New Kensington PA 2012 Feb. 10.
* McCoy, Adrian.
"Jim Krenn out, Scott Paulsen back at WDVE."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2012 Jan. 20.
*
"Krenn's friends set Ross benefit for animal shelter."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2012 Jan. 20.
* McCoy, Adrian.
"Paulsen to rejoin WDVE-FM morning show."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette On-Line 2012 Jan. 19.
* Rutkoski, Rex.
"Scott Paulsen, Bill Crawford joining WDVE-FM."
Valley News Dispatch, Tarentum/New Kensington PA 2012 Jan. 19.
* Fuoco, Michael A.
"Krenn's disappearance from 'DVE airwaves unexplained."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2011 Dec. 15.
** Long-time (since 1988) and popular WDVE-FM radio morning personality, Jim Krenn, was employed on the
Floor Staff of Pittsburgh's original
Aug
Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science
in the 1970s.
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.
Spatter, Sam and Rachel Weaver.
"Rust threatens to mothball Science Center's Requin submarine."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2012 Jan. 28.
The
USS Requin submarine started as a special exhibit of Pittsburgh's original
Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science
in the Autumn of 1990.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"What was the Star of Bethlehem? Recollections from Buhl & Hayden Planetaria." Blog Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2011 Dec. 24.
This age-old question was the topic of the classic
"The Star of Bethlehem" planetarium sky drama,
performed each Christmas season 1939 through 1990, in the
The Theater of the Stars
of Pittsburgh's original
Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science.
* Fontaine, Tom,
"Rides could be free on part of North Shore Connector."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review On-Line 2011 Dec. 21.
*
"Free T Rides Proposed Between Downtown & North Side T Station." News Release.
Port Authority of Allegheny County 2011 Dec. 21.
* Schmitz, Jon and Mark Belko,
"Free 'T' on subway to North Shore in works.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2011 Dec. 21.
* Schmitz, Jon.
"Port Authority gets sponsors for free North Shore subway rides."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette On-Line 2011 Dec. 20.
** Subway rides between Downtown Pittsburgh and the North Side Subway Station,
close (within three blocks) to the original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science
and
Carnegie Free Library of Allegheny (including the world's first
Carnegie Hall,
a.k.a. New Hazlett Theater) buildings, will be free-of-charge when the North Side
subway extension opens 2012 March 25.
Schulman, John.
"'Palace of Culture': An elegant history of the Carnegie museums and library that 'greatly enhances our appreciation'."
Book review: 'Palace of Culture: Andrew Carnegie's Museums and Library in Pittsburgh,' Robert J. Gangewere. University of Pittsburgh Press, $35.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2011 Nov. 27.
This handsome, meticulously researched and beautifully written book comprises the histories of many separate but linked
institutions:
Carnegie Library, the Museums of Art and Natural History, Carnegie Music Hall,
Buhl Science Center and
The Andy Warhol Museum.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"70th Anniversary: Buhl Planetarium Observatory." Blog Posting.
SpaceWatchtower 2011 Nov. 19.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Buhl Planetarium History in New Book." Electronic Mail Group Message.
South Hills Backyard Astronomers Mail Group 2011 Oct. 16.
"Danny Litwhiler." Obituary.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette On-Line 2011 Sept. 23.
"Michigan State said he helped develop one of the first radar guns for use in clocking pitches,
one of dozens of inventions for the game."
In the mid-1980s, "The Right Moves" exhibit, located in the Octagon Gallery of Pittsburgh's original
Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science, included a "Pitching Cage" which
used a radar gun to clock the speed of baseball pitches by members of the general public.
Wikipedia.com biograpy of Danny Litwhiler.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Space Nebula "Chicken" from Buhl Planetarium?" Electronic Mail-Group Message.
South Hills Backyard Astronomers Mail-Group 2011 Sept. 21.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Allegheny Sq Rehab Construction Underway." Electronic Mail-Group Message.
South Hills Backyard Astronomers Mail-Group 2011 Sept. 19.
Rehabilitation has begun for the Allegheny Square Plaza, located in front of Pittsburgh's original
Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science.
Olson, Thomas and Sam Spatter.
"History weighs heavily on landmark."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2011 Sept. 17.
Henry Clay Frick's Union Trust Building (originally Union Arcade) may face second foreclosure.
"The building has large floor plates - about 40,000 square feet - and for a small user of about
10,000 square feet, that may not be comfortable located in such a large area," said Mark Anderson,
vice president of Pennsylvania Commercial Real Estate, based Downtown.
Pittsburgh's original
Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science building has a total square-footage of about 40,000.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"20 Years Ago..." Electronic Mail-Group Message.
South Hills Backyard Astronomers Mail-Group 2011 August 31.
Regarding the 20th anniversary of the closing of Pittsburgh's original
Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science (a.k.a. Buhl Science Center) as a public museum.
Buckley, Madeline.
"St. Vincent College opens first part of science center."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2011 June 26.
Saint Vincent College on Saturday dedicated the first phase of the $39 million Sis and Herman Dupré Science
Pavilion, a state-of-the-art research center with a digital imaging laboratory and a planetarium.
St. Vincent College, in Westmoreland County, is located 33 miles east of Pittsburgh.
Francis, Cody.
"St. Vincent dedicates science pavilion."
Tribune-Review, Greensburg PA 2011 June 25.
Smetanka said the planetarium and other technology, which will also be used for public shows, are recruitment
tools as much as educational tools.
St. Vincent College, in Westmoreland County, is located 33 miles east of Pittsburgh.
Thomas, Mary.
"Military to get free museum admission."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2011 June 14.
Other regional museums participating include the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh,
Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History, The Andy Warhol Museum, the Frick Art & Historical Center,
Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area in Homestead, and the Foster and Muriel McCarl Coverlet Gallery
at Saint Vincent College, Latrobe.
(During the public operation of Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science,
1939 to 1991, it was standard policy to give free admission to active members of the military in uniform.)
Nelson Jones, Diana.
"The $30 question." Blog: City Walkabout.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette On-Line 2011 May 3.
Comments to Blog: "...On the Northside, Allegheny Traditional Academy (the back,
across from the aviary) is beautiful, as are AGH, and Buhl Planetarium.
Buhl is my favorite utilitarian example in Pittsburgh..."
Cataldi, James F.
"Storytelling: With clear recall, he spells out his 'portentous' fall."
Column: PG Portfolio - "Storytelling."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2011 April 1.
"In 1962, eighth grade at St. Mary's in McKees Rocks, Sister Madeline picked me to go to
the regional spelling bee at Buhl Planetarium."
In the first three months of each year, The Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science
hosted the spelling bee rounds which lead to the final Western Pennsylvania Spelling Bee championship
round (which was usually held at a larger auditorium, such as in Schenley High School). These spelling
bee rounds, co-sponsored by The Pittsburgh Press, took place in Buhl's
250-seat Lecture Hall
(a.k.a. Little Science Theater), with two spelling bee sessions occurring on Saturday mornings,
for several weeks. The Pittsburgh Press rented the Lecture Hall for these spelling bee rounds
and paid for an additional Buhl Planetarium staff person (Floor Aide) to manage the needs for this rental.
The student contestants were seated just in front of the small and low Lecture Hall stage,
and the Lab Table on the stage, on old-style, black folding-chairs (which were replaced and
donated to the Salvation Army in the late 1980s).
Thomas, Kelly.
"Feelings mixed on Northside Catholic school merger."
The Northside Chronicle On-Line 2011 March 10.
"Two Catholic schools on North Side to merge."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2011 March 7.
LaRussa, Tony.
"Catholic schools in Brighton Heights, North Side to combine."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2011 March 7.
"Two parochial schools to merge."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette On-Line 2011 March 6.
"Two Pittsburgh diocese elementary schools to merge."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review On-Line 2011 March 6.
The Cardinal Wright Regional Catholic Elementary School building which will close,
which is the former St. Peter's Catholic Elementary School at 711 West Commons Street
on the North Side, is located one block from Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium
and Institute of Popular Science. During his tenure at Buhl Planetarium, the author
donated surplus Buhl educational materials to St. Peter's School. Additionally, students from
St. Peter's School often visited Buhl Planetarium, including a complementary visit to Buhl's
Little Science Theater to watch the
launch of the first teacher-in-space aboard the Challenger
Space Shuttle, which resulted in tragedy on 1986 January 28
(See
The Challenger Disaster Viewed at Pittsburgh’s Buhl Planetarium).
Mullaney, James.
"Cambridge Atlas of Herschel Objects."
Electronic Mail Message 2011 Feb. 9.
"Just a note to let you know that the
Cambridge Atlas of Herschel Objects has finally been released and it's magnificent -
largely due to the amazing celestial cartography of Wil Tirion! It's intended as a
companion volume to our earlier work, The
Cambridge Double Star Atlas."
James Mullaney is a former Curator of Exhibits and Astronomy at Buhl Planetarium
and Staff Astronomer at Allegheny Observatory.
Gannon, Joyce.
"Pittsburgh Foundation offers a sheltering roof to small family foundations
concerned about costs and survival."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2011 Feb. 8.
"While in his late 20s, Robert M. Thompson Jr. became a multimillionaire through the sale
of Redshaw, the Pittsburgh software company he founded with his parents...
"His own passion for science dates to time he spent as a child at the Buhl Planetarium.
He earned a physics degree from Carnegie Mellon University and in 2007 finished building a
solar- and geothermal-powered home in Murrysville where he resides."
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Buhl Science Fair Alumnus Wins CSC Award." Electronic Mail-Group Message.
South Hills Backyard Astronomers 2011 Feb. 3.
"Majetich Receives Carnegie Science Center Award." News Release.
Carnegie Mellon University 2011 Feb. 4.
Daly, Jill.
"Carnegie Science Awards announced."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette On-Line 2011 Feb. 3.
Includes award: Emerging Female Scientist --
Sara Majetich,
Carnegie Mellon University.
Dr. Majetich listed herself as an
alumnus of the
Pittsburgh Regional School Science and Engineering Fair,
of Pittsburgh's original
Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science,
for the 1989 publication:
"Lives Touched...Worlds Changed," Fifty Years of Alumni Achievements.
News Articles Regarding Carnegie Science Center Awards Ceremony Keynote Address:
Brandolph, Adam.
"As cost falls, final frontier will open."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2011 May 7.
Sheridan, Patricia.
"Patricia Sheridan's Breakfast With ... Anousheh Ansari."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2011 May 2.
Nelson Jones, Diana.
"Reader squares accounts of Allegheny plaza." Blog: City Walkabout.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette On-Line 2011 Jan. 24.
Reader Glenn Walsh corrects timing of deterioration of Allegheny Square Plaza.
Nelson Jones, Diana.
"Children's Museum nears goal for new park." Blog: City Walkabout.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette On-Line 2011 Jan. 21.
Nelson Jones, Diana.
"Children's Museum has bulk of funds to build park."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2011 Jan. 21.
Gormly, Kellie B.
"Children's Museum to turn unused plaza into green haven."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review On-Line 2011 Jan. 20.
Biller, Rob.
"Holiday Herald: Heavenly Buhl trips helped make season a time to treasure."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2010 Nov. 26.
Thomas, Frank.
"We used to be captains of the universe; soon we'll be hitchhikers in space." Commentary.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2010 Nov. 7.
"For me, the journey began at the Buhl Planetarium on the North Side, where promises of
spacesuit adventures mixed with the mechanics of rocket assembly."
"TESLA DOESN’T STAND ALONE." Letter-to-the-Editor.
Long Island Press 2010 Sept. 30.
Nikola Tesla worked for more than a year in Pittsburgh for George Westinghouse,
and he helped Westinghouse succeed in establishing alternating current as the
primary form of electrical distribution, as opposed to Thomas Edison's
direct current distribution system. A
one-million volt Oudin-type Tesla Coil often enthralled visitors at
Pittsburgh's original
Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science, usually following
the conclusion of a planetarium show.
Rumsey, Spencer.
"Tesla’s Last Stand on Long Island
The visionary scientist’s Shoreham lab is for sale–
and his priceless legacy soon could be lost."
Long Island Press 2010 Sept. 16.
Nikola Tesla worked for more than a year in Pittsburgh for George Westinghouse,
and he helped Westinghouse succeed in establishing alternating current as the
primary form of electrical distribution, as opposed to Thomas Edison's
direct current distribution system. A
one-million volt Oudin-type Tesla Coil often enthralled visitors at
Pittsburgh's original
Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science, usually following
the conclusion of a planetarium show.
*** Also see:
Friends of Science East/Tesla Science & Technology Center and Museum
regarding efforts to save Tesla's Long Island laboratory.
"Fall Arts Preview:
Head out and have fun at these Pittsburgh places."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2010 Sept. 9.
CARNEGIE SCIENCE CENTER
One Allegheny Ave., North Side. 412-237-3400
EXHIBITS: Astronomy Exhibits in Buhl Digital Planetarium lobby -- Newton's Hockey, Hologram Planets,
Planetary Weights (opens Oct. 7); Zeiss Model II Star Projector Exhibit -- Historical
Zeiss planetarium projector from the original Buhl Planetarium and interactive exhibits (ongoing);
Miniature Railroad & Village (opening Nov. 20); If a Starfish Can Grow a New Arm, Why Can't I? --
Exhibit focuses on tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (ongoing).
Smith, Pohla.
"Star projector returns to the spotlight at Pittsburgh's science center."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2010 July 14.
Smith, Pohla.
"Facts about the Zeiss Model II Star Projector."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2010 July 14.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Zeiss II Projector Exhibit at CSC." Electronic Mail Group Message.
Friends of the Zeiss Mail-Group 2010 July 10.
"Zeiss Star Projector shines in new exhibition at Science Center."
The South Pittsburgh Reporter 2010 July 6.
Mitchell, Ellen.
"Old Buhl Planetarium's projector still draws fans."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2010 July 2: B3.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Zeiss Projector Exhibit Opens at CSC." Electronic Mail-Group Message.
South Hills Backyard Astronomers Mail-Group 2010 July 1.
*
"Old Star Projector Part of Science Center Exhibit." Video News Report.
KDKA-TV 2, Pittsburgh 2010 July 1.
(Search KDKA-TV 2 video library, at this link, using search terms "star projector".)
*
"Carnegie Science Center PRESENTS Iconic Zeiss Star Projector
in New Historic Exhibition." News Release.
The Carnegie Science Center 2010 June 30.
Display of historic Buhl Planetarium Zeiss II Planetarium Projector, in Carnegie Science Center
Atrium Gallery, begins 2010 July 1.
* Walsh, Glenn A.
"Musical Tribute to Buhl Planetarium!" Electronic Mail-Group Message.
South Hills Backyard Astronomers Mail-Group 2010 June 29.
* Nelson Jones, Diana.
"Musicians to add notes to North Side tour sites."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2010 June 25.
"At the New Hazlett, seven musicians -- vocalists and percussionists -- will present a piece inspired
by the fact that the building shares space with what was Andrew Carnegie's second oldest library.
The percussionists will be playing typewriters.
"At the Children's Museum, three glockenspiels, singers and a bass guitar will provide music inspired
by the science exhibits that once were at the Buhl Planetarium on the same site."
* Nelson Jones, Diana.
"How to charm a rodent." Blog: City Walkabout.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2010 June 14.
"Your ideas for repurposing Mellon Arena." Letters-to-the-Editor.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2010 June 22.
Includes letter (12th letter on web page) from Phil and Margaret Rostek of Shadyside, who wrote:
"...The name would remain the "Igloo" -- "where the 'Burgh chills." In summer, dancing under the stars
with the dome open as weather permits. Outdoor decor could include a brightly lit, hanging icicle and
Broadway-style entrance with red carpet. Interior to include stars projected on the dome interior like
the old Buhl Planetarium -- or some twinkling star motif -- perhaps blue lights like PNC Park..."
*
"Snowballs fly on first day of summer at Carnegie Science Center."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review/AP 2010 June 22.
*
"Science Center Welcomes Summer With Snowballs."
KDKA-TV 2, Pittsburgh 2010 June 21.
Snowballs on
Summer Solstice Day began in 1985 at Pittsburgh's original
Buhl Planetarium and
Institute of Popular Science. Carnegie Science Center resumed
snowball tradition in 2007.
* Majors, Dan.
"Obituary: Jerome "Jerry" Apt Jr. / Mechanical engineer who held seven patents."
Obituary. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2010 June 21.
* Vondas, Jerry.
"Inventive engineer Jerry Apt inspired son to become astronaut." Obituary.
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2010 June 21.
Father of former NASA Space Shuttle Astronaut
Jay Apt who studied at Pittsburgh's original
Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science.
Chun, Sonya.
"Children's Museum gets Curious George."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2010 May 17.
New traveling science exhibit, in the former Hall of the Universe exhibit gallery of the
original Buhl Planetarium building from 2010 June 19 to Oct. 3.
Also see
Curious George Exhibit web site.
McCoy, Adrian.
"Home sweet home: Things to do locally this summer."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2010 May 14.
"The Zeiss projector enchanted generations of kids on field trips to the original Buhl Planetarium.
The Zeiss is moving to its new home at the Carnegie Science Center, where visitors can learn about
the history of this planetarium projection technology...
"CARNEGIE SCIENCE CENTER
One Allegheny Ave., North Side. 412-237-3400.
EXHIBITS: Zeiss Exhibit -- The Zeiss II Star Projector from the original Buhl Planetarium
moves to its new home in the Science Center Atrium, along with interactive exhibits that
highlight the technology used at the time (opens in July);..."
Belko, Mark.
"Obituary: Truman P. Kohman / Chemistry professor with eyes always on stars." Obituary.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2010 May 1.
Also see
Death Notice.
In 2002, Truman Kohman
strongly supported maintaining Buhl Planetarium's historic,
10-inch Siderostat-type Refractor Telescope in the Buhl Planetarium
building, to help educate children visiting the Children's Museum. See
Letter of Support.
Malerbo, Dan.
"Let's Talk About: The Great Debate." Column.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2010 April 22.
In 1920 Heber D. Curtis became Director of Pittsburgh's Allegheny Observatory, and
on 1941 November 19
Harlow Shapley gave the keynote address at the dedication of
Buhl Planetarium's
10-inch Siderostat-type Refractor Telescope.
Column author Dan Malerbo is Educational Coordinator for the
Henry Buhl, Jr. Planetarium and Observatory at Pittsburgh's
Carnegie Science Center. He also served as a Planetarium Lecturer
at Pittsburgh's original
Buhl
Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science
(a.k.a. Buhl Science Center).
Also see web site:
"The 1920 Great Debate on the Scale of the Universe."
"Passing of Former Astronomical League Executive Secretary." Death Notice.
South Hills Backyard Astronomers Mail Group 2010 Feb. 16.
Wilma A. Cherup, in addition to being
Astronomical League Executive Secretary for
23 years, she was a life member of the Amateur Astronomers's Association of
Pittsburgh, which helped found
The Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science.
"MONDAY - Lecture: Einstein in Pittsburgh." News Release.
South Hills Backyard Astronomers Mail Group 2010 Feb. 13.
David Topper, Professor of the History of Science at the University of Winnipeg
and strong supporter of the original
Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science
will discuss Albert Einstein's visit to Pittsburgh 75 years ago,
in the same Carnegie Mellon University lecture hall where Einstein lectured.
Green, Elwin.
"Obituary: John M. Arthur / Longtime president of Duquesne Light Co."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2010 Feb. 2.
John M. Arthur was a member of the Board of Directors of the Buhl Science Center
(a.k.a. Buhl Planetarium). For many, many years, until the mid-1980s, Duquesne Light
sponsored a popular exhibit on the Mezzanine, a stationary bicycle people would pedal
to light-up light bulbs of greater wattage, as the bike was pedaled faster.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Chronology: American Presidential Inauguration of Barack H. Obama (2009)."Web Site Post.
History of Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science, Pittsburgh 2010 Jan. 20
Presidential Inauguration Chronology of 2009 January 20.
Sciullo, Maria.
"Obituary: Nat Youngblood /
Popular local painter, newspaper art director for 30 years." Obituary.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2009 Dec. 22.
Nat H. Youngblood painted
"The Rise of Steel Technology" mural, commissioned by the
United States Steel Corporation, mounted on the south wall of the first floor's
Great Hall of Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science.
McNulty, Timothy.
"Dok Harris is running for mayor as his own man."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2009 Oct. 26.
"A precocious kid, Mr. Harris attended preschool
science classes at Buhl Planetarium and then
kindergarten at the former St. Peter's school
on the North Side."
Walsh, Glenn A.
"70th Anniversary: Buhl Planetarium." Electronic-Mail Message.
South Hills Backyard Astronomers Message-Group 2009 Oct. 24.
Mendenhall, Jim.
"Clyde W. 'Red' Hare / Photojournalist known for realistic style." Obituary.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2009 Oct. 16.
Official photographer of The Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science
in the 1980s.
Thomas, Mary.
"Obituary: Charles Clinton 'Charlie' Pitcher /
Artist known for his paintings of Western Pa. woodlands."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2009 Oct. 9.
"Mr. Pitcher taught art in the Pittsburgh city schools from 1957 to 1965,
was Buhl Planetarium director of education from 1965 to 1971 and operated
the Charles Pitcher Gallery in Shadyside from 1970-73."
Tannler, Albert M.
"Secrets of the Buhl Building revealed."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2009 Oct. 4.
Fifth Avenue building purchased by Henry Buhl, Jr. in 1913.
Heinrichs, Allison M.
"Science Center to revive Zeiss II Planetarium Star Projector."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2009 Aug. 19.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Zeiss to be Reassembled: Science Center Announcement." News Release.
Friends of the Zeiss 2009 Aug. 18.
Friends of the Zeiss statement regarding Carnegie Science Center announcement
that historic Zeiss II Planetarium Projector would be reassembled as exhibit, to be
displayed in Carnegie Science Center atrium by late 2010.
"New science center exhibit to feature Buhl star projector."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette On-Line 2009 Aug. 18.
"Historic planetarium projector is Science Center's next exhibit."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review On-Line 2009 Aug. 18.
"Carnegie Science Center Plans New Astronomy Exhibit Featuring Historic Zeiss II Star Projector."
News Release.
Carnegie Science Center 2009 Aug. 18.
Shalaway, Scott.
"Volunteers wanted for Lost Ladybug Project." Column.
Charleston Gazette 2009 Aug. 8.;
Article mentions new
Citizen Science web page
on the History of Buhl Planetarium Web Site.
Shalaway, Scott.
"Get Into Nature: Citizen Science and the Lost Ladybug Project." Column.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2009 Aug. 2.;
Article mentions new
Citizen Science web page
on the History of Buhl Planetarium Web Site.
Olson, Thomas and Kim Leonard.
"Pittsburgh Opera joins city's 'green' renaissance with renovated building."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2009 July 21: A1.
Leonard, Kim and Thomas Olsen.
"Pittsburgh Opera building to go green."
Pittsburgh Trib p.m. 2009 July 21: 4.
Articles included listing of
"Green Geezers,"
seven buildings constructed before World War II, which have been rehabilitated to
obtain LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification .
The youngest building, of the seven listed, is the original
Buhl Planetarium building (built in 1939), now operated as part of the Children's
Museum of Pittsburgh. By year's end, it is expected that the Pittsburgh Opera's
Strip District building (Liberty Avenue and 25th Street--where, originally,
George Westinghouse first built railroad locomotive air-brakes) will join this list.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"The Historic Mission of Apollo 11
Man Walks on the Moon for the First Time
A Personal Remembrance From 40 Years Ago."
History of Buhl Planetarium Web Site 2009 July 20.
<
http://buhlplanetarium2.tripod.com/bio/Apolloremembrance.htm >.
Erdley, Debra.
"Pittsburgh pegs zoo, Aviary, Phipps' free water use at $500,000."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2009 June 24.
1939 newspaper reports indicate that City Council considered providing free water
service to the original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science which was
officially dedicated 1939 October 24. Apparently, this proposal never came to fruition;
Buhl Planetarium never enjoyed free water service.
French, Sue. "As the Crow Flies." Column: Deep Sky Wonders.
Sky and Telescope Magazine 2009 May: 48.
Eric G. Canali, former Floor Operations Manager of 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
Founder of the
South Hills Backyard Astronomers amateur astronomy club,
was cited for asterism "Canali" (a.k.a. "Canali's Cluster" or the "Canali Asterism").
The following is an excerpt from page 49 of the magazine column:
* Next, soar 1.1 degrees west-southwest from M104 to the multi-
ple star Struve 1659. In my 105-mm scope at 47x,
I see a 5-minute isosceles triangle of stars with a smaller isos-
celes triangle centered inside it. My 10-inch scope shows
color in all but the dimmist of the six stars. In order of
decreasing brightness, I see them as yellow-white, deep
yellow, pale yellow, yellow, and gold.
* I was first introduced to this sextuplet by John Wag-
oner in the 1980s at the Texas Star Party. He dubbed
the group Stargate, because it reminded him of the
hyperspace stargate used by the hero Buck Rogers in the
1979-1981 television series. Wagoner created and ran the
Astronomical League's Bulletin Board Service, which he
named Stargate. Not surprisingly, others have discovered
this group as well. Australian amateur Perry Vlahos wrote
to tell me he knows these stars as the Double Triangle,
and the book Star Clusters (Brent A. Archinal and Steven
J. Hynes; Willmann-Bell, 2003) lists it as Canali -- named
for Pennsylvania amateur Eric Canali, who calls it "that
pretty little triangle-asterism-thingy."
For a short time in 1939 and 1940,
Sky and Telescope predecessor magazine,
The Sky, was co-published by Pittsburgh's original
Buhl Planetarium and
Institute of Popular Science and New York City's
original Hayden Planetarium.
Sue French had difficulty finding Eric Canali. After she found his name on this Internet web-site (i.e. History of
The Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science, Pittsburgh), she contacted Friends of the
Zeiss Project Director Glenn A. Walsh, who put her in-touch with Mr. Canali.
Baltimore, Chris.
"Obama quizzes astronauts about life in space."
Yahoo/Reuters 2009 March 24.
U.S. President Barack Obama, along with several Washington-area school children,
quizzed several astronauts in orbit aboard the International Space Station, including
Mike Fincke, who credits Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium for his interest in
becoming an astronaut.
Howell, Donna.
"John Brashear Kept His Goals In Sharp Focus."
Investor's Business Daily 2009 March 5: A3.
< http://finance.yahoo.com/news/ >. Posted 2009 March 4. Viewed 2009 March 5.
(Reprint of 2006 Oct. 18 article)
Howell, Donna.
"John Brashear Kept His Goals In Sharp Focus."
Investor's Business Daily 2006 Oct. 18: A3.
(Donna Howell, Technology Reporter, Investor's Business Daily)
Friends of the Zeiss Project Director Glenn A. Walsh is extensively
quoted in this national business newspaper article, regarding the life of
famous 19th century astronomer and lens maker
John A. Brashear,
who was a confidant of
Andrew Carnegie and
Henry Clay Frick.
Science/nature traveling exhibit in Buhl Planetarium's Hall of the Universe --
"Exploring Trees Inside and Out," sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation and
Doubletree Hotels, exhibited 2009 Feb. 6 to May 17 in the
Hall of the Universe exhibit
gallery of Pittsburgh's original
Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science building,
now known as the traveling exhibits gallery of the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh:
O'Driscoll, Bill.
"Taking It Outside."
Pittsburgh City Paper 2009 Feb. 26.
"Falling leaves in February at Children's Museum exhibit."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2009 Feb. 7.
Gormly, Kellie B.
"Get to know nature inside out at Children's Museum."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2009 Feb. 5.
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.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Chronology: American Presidential Inauguration of Barack H. Obama (2009)."Web Site Post.
History of Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science, Pittsburgh 2010 Jan. 20
Presidential Inauguration Chronology of 2009 January 20.
Belko, Mark.
"Buhl Building signs its first tenant."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2008 Dec. 4.
"Panel OKs Buhl Building restoration."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2008 Nov. 6.
Belko, Mark.
"Buhl Building rehab unveiled."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2008 Oct. 24.
2008 Oct. 24 is also 69th anniversary of Pittsburgh's original
Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science, constructed by
the Buhl Foundation after the death of Henry Buhl, Jr.
Lowry, Patricia.
"Buhl Building ready for its closeup."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2008 July 4.
Six-floor office building at 200 Fifth Avenue (corner of Fifth Avenue and
Market Street, Downtown), purchased by Henry Buhl, Jr. in 1923 (built
ten years earlier), whose Buhl Foundation built Buhl Planetarium in 1939.
"Space tourist returns from $30M orbital trip."
CNN 2008 Oct. 24.
"Expedition 17 Crew Returns From International Space Station."
NASA 2008 Oct. 23.
Walsh, Glenn.
"Fw: New Crew Blasts Off for International Space Station." E-Mail List Message.
South Hills Backyard Astronomers 2008 Oct. 13.
Crew includes Richard Garriott, son of former NASA astronaut Owen Garriott
(first son of a former U.S. astronaut to fly into space), and NASA veteran
astronaut E. Michael Fincke, who credits Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium
for his interest in becoming an astronaut. Buhl Planetarium celebrated 69th anniversary
of dedication on 2008 Oct. 24.
More information and mission updates
Walsh, Glenn.
"Historic Plaque Erected on Buhl Planetarium." E-Mail List Message.
South Hills Backyard Astronomers 2008 Oct. 11
Boren, Jeremy.
"Historian focuses on telescope pioneer Brashear."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2008 Sept. 29.
Also reprinted --
Boren, Jeremy.
"Historian Focuses on Telescope Pioneer Brashear."
Sky and Telescope Magazine On-Line 2008 Sept. 29.
Mentions architectural tours of the Buhl Planetarium and
Old Allegheny
Post Office building.
"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.
More information
Also see:
Sale and Demolition of Carnegie Warehouse for Construction of PAT Rail Station
Walsh, Glenn.
"Science Center Master Plan: Siderostat Observatory Missing."
Address. Pittsburgh City Planning Commission. 2008 Sept. 23.
More information
Also see:
Sale and Demolition of Carnegie Warehouse for Construction of PAT Rail Station
"Astronaut's son spending his fortune to fly."
CNN/AP 2008 July 31.
Richard Garriott will become the first child of an American astronaut to reach
outer space on Oct. 12. Sergei Volkov, son of former cosmonaut Alexander Volkov,
has been living on the International Space Station since April, Russia's
first second-generation space traveler; Richard Garriott and Sergei Volkov will
return to Earth together. Launching with Richard Garriott in a Russian Soyuz
spacecraft will be NASA Astronaut Mike Fincke, who credits Pittsburgh's original
Buhl Planetarium for his interest in becoming an astronaut. Mike Fincke will be
staying on the International Space Station for his second tour-of-duty,
for six months.
McClelland, Clark C.
"A past Space Shuttle ScO, admits ET's are Real.
And this ScO has seen them, himself with another witness!"
Stargate Chronicles 2008 July 29
<
http://www.stargate-chronicles.com/release_mitchell.html >.
Clark C. McClelland was an Astronomy instructor at Pittsburgh's original
Buhl Planetarium, for several years in the middle of the twentieth century.
Mr. McClelland strongly supports similar statements recently broadcast in a
British radio interview by former NASA Astronaut Dr. Edgar Mitchell, who walked on
the Moon during the mission of Apollo 14. More information:
"Ex-Astronaut: Aliens Are Real and NASA Knows It."
FOX News 2008 July 24.
Belko, Mark.
"Buhl Building rehab unveiled."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2008 Oct. 24.
2008 Oct. 24 is also 69th anniversary of Pittsburgh's original
Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science, constructed by
the Buhl Foundation after the death of Henry Buhl, Jr.
Lowry, Patricia.
"Buhl Building ready for its closeup."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2008 July 4.
Six-floor office building at 200 Fifth Avenue (corner of Fifth Avenue and
Market Street, Downtown), purchased by Henry Buhl, Jr. in 1923 (built
ten years earlier), whose Buhl Foundation built Buhl Planetarium in 1939.
* Walsh, Glenn A. "Science Center Space Lost for Display of Planetarium Artifacts."
Address. Pittsburgh City Council. 2008 April 29.
Prepared Text ***
Large-Print Version
* Walsh, Glenn A. "Science Center Space Lost for Display of Planetarium Artifacts."
Address. Board of Directors, Allegheny Regional Asset District. 2008 April 28.
Prepared Text ***
Large-Print Version
* Graham, Francis.
"
Science Center Space Lost for Display of Planetarium Artifacts."
Letter. To City and County Public Officials. 2008 April 24.
* Letters to Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh President Dr. David M. Hillenbrand,
regarding refusal to allow
Friends of the Zeiss Project Director Glenn A. Walsh
to tour Carnegie Science Center Warehouse (where historic Buhl Planetarium artifacts
are stored), with Port Authority of Allegheny County tour group:
** Walsh, Glenn A. Letter to Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh President
Dr. David M. Hillenbrand. 2008 April 10.
Letter ***
Attachment including Inventory of Buhl Artifacts Moved to Carnegie Science Center
** Graham, Francis G.
Letter to Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh President
Dr. David M. Hillenbrand. 2008 April 9.
* Walsh, Glenn A.
Letters-to-the-Editor:
"About my views." (Last letter of six letters on web page)
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2008 March 29.
Response to
letter-to-the-editor personal attack,
regarding both
Carnegie Library and
Buhl Planetarium,
published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on 2008 January 1.
Original, more detailed response was e-mailed to the
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on 2008 January 5.
* Walsh, Glenn A.
Letter-to-the-Editor:
"Demanding transparency from local museum." (Second of two letters on web page)
Pittsburgh City Paper 2008 March 19.
Regarding current Carnegie Science Center
"Bodies" exhibition,
and the sale, in the 1990s, of
original Buhl Planetarium
human-anatomy exhibit,
"Transpara," to the Cleveland Health Museum to be used as spare parts
for their transparent woman exhibit.
* Walsh, Glenn A.
"Response to Personal Attack in Post-Gazette."
Address. Allegheny County Council. 2008 March 18.
Response of Glenn A. Walsh to personal attack in "Belated opposition"
letter-to-the-editor in 2008 Jan. 1 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, regarding
both Carnegie Library and Buhl Planetarium.
* Walsh, Glenn A.
"Response to Personal Attack in Post-Gazette."
Address. Pittsburgh City Council. 2008 March 18.
Response of Glenn A. Walsh to personal attack in "Belated opposition"
letter-to-the-editor in 2008 Jan. 1 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, regarding
both Carnegie Library and Buhl Planetarium.
* 2008 Feb. -
Recent News of Controversy Regarding "Bodies...the Exhibition"
at The Carnegie Science Center,
Including claims of use of bodies of Chinese political prisoners
by the ABC-TV news show "20/20."
* NASA Space Shuttle Atlantis Mission STS 122 Updates
Click Here --
Mission STS 122
commanded by Pittsburgh-area native
Stephen N. Frick, who was inspired by
Pittsburgh's original
Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science.
* Walsh, Glenn A.
"Response to Personal Attack in Post-Gazette."
Address. Board of Directors, Allegheny County Library Association. 2008 Feb. 18.
Response of Glenn A. Walsh to personal attack in "Belated opposition"
letter-to-the-editor in 2008 Jan. 1 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, regarding
both Carnegie Library and Buhl Planetarium.
* Rothstein, Edward.
"Planetarium Review, Looking at the Stars From Angles Old and New."
The New York Times 2008 Feb. 16.
Regarding Adler Planetarium, Chicago.
* Space Shuttle Atlantis Launched 2008 Feb. 7, 2:45:31 p.m. EST,
commanded by Pittsburgh-area native
Stephen N. Frick, who was inspired by
Pittsburgh's original
Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science --
** Zapadka, Pete.
"Space shuttle commanded by Richland grad lifts off."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette On-Line 2008 Feb. 7.
**
"NASA was anxious to get Atlantis flying."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review/AP 2008 Feb. 8.
* LATE Wednesday Night/EARLY Thursday Morning, January 16-17, 2008 -
Former Buhl Planetarium Curator
James J. Mullaney will be interviewed
on the nationally-syndicated, overnight radio program,
Coast to Coast AM
LATE Wednesday Night/EARLY Thursday Morning, January 16-17, 2008,
which begins at 1:00 a.m. EST
(interview will probably occur 2:00 to 5:00 a.m.).
In Pittsburgh, the interview can be heard on WPGB-FM 104.7 MHZ and WPTT-AM 1360 KHZ.
Additionally, you can scan the AM radio dial at night and find the program on numerous
out-of-town AM radio stations from cities such as Charlotte, Richmond, Cleveland,
Des Moines, Philadelphia, New York, Chicago, Albany, Louisville, and Youngstown.
More Details.
* 2008 Jan. 7 -
Reuse, by The Carnegie Science Center (beginning in 2007) of original Buhl Planetarium
"Snowballs on Summer Solstice Day" promotion (from 1985).
* 2007 Oct. 23 - The Times-Herald, Newnan GA:
Carnegie Library prospects hailed by an expert on Carnegie libraries, Glenn A. Walsh.
By W. WINSTON SKINNER
(Article appeared under banner headline, at top of first page.)
Mentions
Friends of the Zeiss, The Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular
Science, and the historic Zeiss II Planetarium Projector.
* 2007 Oct. -
Historic Abraham Lincoln Artifacts Sold-off by
County of Allegheny, Pennsylvania to the
Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center
* 2007 Aug. 27 - Public Statement:
Before Allegheny Regional Asset District
By Glenn A. Walsh:
Children’s Museum Needs Additional Revenue
Prepared Text ***
Large-Print Version
Utilizing historic Buhl Planetarium equipment and artifacts will produce
additional revenue, to help offest the loss of $200,000 of State funding,
while helping teach Science to children visiting Children's Museum. Also,
money for additional computers would provide more public benefit by being
granted to the library systems' Electronic Information Network.
* 2007 July 19 - New Interactive On-Line Guide to International Space Station --
With video introduction and narration by NASA Astronaut Mike Fincke, who credits
Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science for his
interest in becoming an astronaut. Mike Fincke served as a science officer and
flight engineer on the International Space Station during Expedition 9.
NASA News Release ***
Science Daily/UPI News Story
ISS Web Site with On-Line Interactive Tour ***
Biography of NASA Astronaut Mike Fincke
* 2007 March 27 - News Release:
Science Center Misses Second Deadline to Reassemble Historic Zeiss Projector
Despite $1 Million Planetarium Rehab in 2006
“It is now quite clear that The Carnegie Science Center has no interest
in the historic Buhl Planetarium artifacts and has no intentions of
reassembling them; they do not see display of these artifacts as part
of their mission. All of their ‘delays’ are simply meant to drag-out
the process, hoping that people will forget these artifacts exist—the old adage:
‘out of sight, out of mind’ !” according to
Friends of the Zeiss Project
Director Glenn A. Walsh.
Newly-Created Web Pages on History of Buhl Planetarium
and Friends of the Zeiss Web Sites
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.
Luk, Katherine.
Science on the ISS
HP Small Business Solutions 2017 March.
Article posted on web-pages of the Internet web-site of
History of The Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science, Pittsburgh:
International Space Station and
FAQ Page,
as well as the
SpaceWatchtower 'X' / Twitter Feed.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"The Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania U.S.A.
"Quick History and Current Use of Building by Children's Museum." Updated Web Page.
History of The Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science, Pittsburgh 2013 Dec. 28.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"The Historic Flag Pole At Pittsburgh's Original
"Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science." Web Page.
History of The Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science, Pittsburgh 2013 Dec. 7.
Also see:
Historic Buhl Planetarium Flag Pole Refurbished, Back-in-Use (2013 Dec. 7).
Walsh, Glenn A.
"John Fitzgerald Kennedy: The Loss of the Man Who Sent Us to the Moon - A Personal Remembrance From 50 Years Ago." Blog Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2013 Nov. 22.
Starting on my tenth birthday (1965 November 12) I made my first of many visits (particularly during junior high school)
to Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science. Years later, I would go on to become
Astronomical Observatory Coordinator and a Planetarium Lecturer at the original Buhl Planetarium, as well as Curator
of a fairly unique embryology exhibit where chicks (and occasionally ducklings) were hatched before visitors' eyes
every weekend.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Laserium: 40th Anniversary." Blog Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2013 Nov. 19.
2013 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.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Eve Pierce, European Correspondent Reporting for SpaceWatchtower."
Friends of the Zeiss 2013 May 4.
<
http://buhlplanetarium2.tripod.com/weblog/spacewatchtower/pearcee/index.html >.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Transit of Venus - Frequently Asked Questions."
Friends of the Zeiss 2012 May 29.
"JUNE 5 - SAFE PUBLIC VIEWING OF RARE ASTRONOMICAL EVENT WITH
4.5-INCH REFLECTOR TELESCOPE AT MT. LEBANON PUBLIC LIBRARY. News Release.
Friends of the Zeiss 2012 May 29.
Includes
Transit of Venus - Frequently Asked Questions.
"June 5 - Safe Public Viewing of Rare Astronomical Event." Poster/Flyer 2.
Friends of the Zeiss 2012 May 23.
"June 5 - Safe Public Viewing of Rare Astronomical Event." Poster/Flyer 1.
Friends of the Zeiss 2012 May 13.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Public Observation: 1761 Venus Transit." Internet Web Page.
History of Buhl Planetarium Web Site 2011 June 21.
<
https://buhlplanetarium.tripod.com/venustransit/1761public.html >
Possible first documented observation, by members of the general public,
of a Transit of the Planet Venus across the image of the Sun.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"John D. Weinhold, 1929 to 2011." Internet Web Page.
History of Buhl Planetarium Web Site 2011 May 16.
<
http://buhlplanetarium2.tripod.com/bio/fotz/jaydee/ >
Memorial page for former Buhl Planetarium Observatory volunteer John D. Weinhold.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Astronomical Calendar - A.D. 2011." Internet Web Page.
History of Buhl Planetarium Web Site 2011 Jan. 1.
<
http://buhlplanetarium4.tripod.com/astrocalendar/2011.html >
This Internet Web Page is updated each month, with that month's
Astronomical Calendar.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"The 1920 Great Debate on the Scale of the Universe."
History of Buhl Planetarium Web Site 2010 May 11.
<
http://buhlplanetarium2.tripod.com/bio/greatdebate.html >.
Debate between Heber D. Curtis, Director of the Allegheny Observatory, and
Harlow Shapley, who gave the keynote address at the 1941 dedication of the
10-inch Siderostat-type Refractor Telescope of Pittsburgh's original Buhl
Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"American Presidential Inauguration of Barack H. Obama, Chronology."
History of Buhl Planetarium Web Site 2010 Jan. 20.
<
https://buhlplanetarium.tripod.com/archivenews/spacefaring/Inaug-Chron.htm >.
National Institute of Standards and Technology time signals used, to provide
precise chronology of inauguration events.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Astronomical Calendar - A.D. 2010." Internet Web Page.
History of Buhl Planetarium Web Site 2010 Jan. 1.
<
http://buhlplanetarium4.tripod.com/astrocalendar/2010.html >
This Internet Web Page is updated each month, with that month's
Astronomical Calendar.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"A Brief History of Analog Television Broadcasting in Pittsburgh."
History of WQEX-TV 16 Web Site 2009 July 24.
<
http://andrewcarnegie2.tripod.com/wqex/Brief_History_of_Analog_TV_Pgh.htm >.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"The Historic Mission of Apollo 11
Man Walks on the Moon for the First Time
A Personal Remembrance From 40 Years Ago."
History of Buhl Planetarium Web Site 2009 July 20.
<
http://buhlplanetarium2.tripod.com/bio/Apolloremembrance.htm >.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Sighting Opportunities -- International Space Station."
History of Buhl Planetarium Web Site 2009 July 6.
<
http://buhlplanetarium2.tripod.com/FAQ/sightopportun/ISS.html >.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Citizen Science Projects."
History of Buhl Planetarium Web Site 2009 June 9.
<
http://buhlplanetarium2.tripod.com/FAQ/citizenscience.html >.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Children's Planetarium Shows at
Pittsburgh's Original
Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science."
History of Buhl Planetarium Web Site 2009 May 22.
<
http://buhlplanetarium3.tripod.com/skyshow/children/ >.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Foreign Language Festival at
Pittsburgh's Original
Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science."
History of Buhl Planetarium Web Site 2009 May 20.
<
http://buhlplanetarium3.tripod.com/skyshow/foreignlanguage/ >.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Historic "The Star of Bethlehem" Planetarium Sky Drama
At Pittsburgh's Original
Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science."
History of Buhl Planetarium Web Site 2009 May 13.
<
http://buhlplanetarium3.tripod.com/skyshow/bethlehem/ >.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Planetarium Sky Dramas at Pittsburgh's Original
Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science -
The Sky Shows."
History of Buhl Planetarium Web Site 2009 May 13.
<
http://buhlplanetarium3.tripod.com/skyshow >.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Visit to the Astronomical Observatory of Pittsburgh's Original
Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science by the
Alternative Curriculum Astronomy Workshop, The Tripoli Federation
1975 April 2
And Annual Workshop Exhibit at Buhl Planetarium."
History of Buhl Planetarium Web Site 2009 March 14.
<
http://buhlplanetarium3.tripod.com/observatory/tripolivisit.html >.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Astronomical Calendar - A.D. 2009." Internet Web Page.
History of Buhl Planetarium Web Site 2009 Jan. 1.
<
http://buhlplanetarium4.tripod.com/astrocalendar/2009.html >
This Internet Web Page is updated each month, with that month's
Astronomical Calendar.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Art in Pittsburgh’s Original Buhl Planetarium."
History of Buhl Planetarium Web Site 2008 April.
<
http://buhlplanetarium2.tripod.com/art-buhlplanetarium.htm >.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Allegheny Public Square Plaza/Park, North Side, Pittsburgh
(formerly Ober Park)."
History of Buhl Planetarium Web Site 2008 Jan.
<
https://buhlplanetarium.tripod.com/allegsq/EM-AllegSq.htm >.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Astronomical Calendar - A.D. 2008." Internet Web Page.
History of Buhl Planetarium Web Site 2008 Jan. 1.
<
http://buhlplanetarium4.tripod.com/astrocalendar/2008.html >
This Internet Web Page is updated each month, with that month's
Astronomical Calendar.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Astronomical Calendar - A.D. 2007." Internet Web Page.
History of Buhl Planetarium Web Site 2007 Jan. 1.
<
http://buhlplanetarium4.tripod.com/astrocalendar/2007.html >
This Internet Web Page is updated each month, with that month's
Astronomical Calendar.
Walsh, Glenn A.
""Firsts" & World Records of
The Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania."
History of Buhl Planetarium Web Site 2006 Oct. 11
<
https://buhlplanetarium.tripod.com/Buhl_Planetarium_Firsts.htm >.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"The Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania U.S.A.
Quick History and
Current Use of Building by Children's Museum."
History of Buhl Planetarium Web Site 2006 March.
<
http://venustransit.pghfree.net/fotz/quickhistory.html >.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"The Challenger Disaster Viewed at
Pittsburgh’s Buhl Planetarium
A Personal Remembrance From 20 Years Ago."
History of Buhl Planetarium Web Site 2006 Jan.
<
http://buhlplanetarium2.tripod.com/bio/2006ChallengerBuhl.htm >.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Astronomical Calendar - A.D. 2006." Internet Web Page.
History of Buhl Planetarium Web Site 2006 Jan. 1.
<
http://buhlplanetarium4.tripod.com/astrocalendar/2006.html >
This Internet Web Page is updated each month, with that month's
Astronomical Calendar.
Walsh, Glenn A.
"Amateur Science Clubs at
The Buhl Planetarium and
Institute of Popular Science
Pittsburgh."
History of Buhl Planetarium Web Site 2005 June 3.
<
http://buhlplanetarium3.tripod.com/amateurscience.html >.
Astronomy, Space, and Science News
NASA Mission Updates--
Launch Schedule ***
Current Missions ***
Future Missions ***
Past Missions
* Space Shuttle Mission Updates:
NASA ***
CBS News
Mission Updates: Phoenix Probe to Mars Arctic Region
(Phoenix successfully landed on Mars on 2008 May 25.)
Mission Updates: Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope (GLAST)
(GLAST successfully launched 2008 June 11.)
OTHER NASA NEWS --
NASA SCIENCE NEWS ***
NASA NEWS AND NEWS RELEASES
JET PROPULSION LABORATORY NEWS AND NEWS RELEAES
SCIENCE NEWS RSS FEED
(RSS reader, like the ones at
<
http://blogspace.com/rss/readers > needed to access feed.)
NASA Watch
ALSO SEE:
Current Astronomy, Space, and Science News
International Space Station Viewing Opportunities
Other Space Shuttle Missions:
*
STS-126 Commanded by
Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) Native Chris Ferguson (2008 November)
*
STS-122 - Commanded by Pittsburgh-area native Stephen N. Frick,
inspired by
Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium (2008 February)
*
STS-118 - Teacher-in-Space Mission Completed (2007 August)
*
STS 51-L - Tragedy of Space Shuttle Challenger, as viewed from
Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium (1986 January)
ALSO:
*
1969 July 20 - The Historic Mission of Apollo 11, Man Walks on the Moon for the First Time
***
New Books - Astronomy, Space, Science
Nicholas Nicastro,
"Circumference: Eratosthenes and the Ancient Quest to Measure the Globe."
New York: St. Martin's Press, 2008. Pp. xi, 223. ISBN 9780312372477. $23.95.
Review of Book.
Marchant, Jo.
"Review: Time in Antiquity by Robert Hannah."
New Scientist Magazine 2009 Jan. 28.
Pelling, Nick.
Review of “The Long Route to the Invention of the Telescope."
CipherMysteries.com 2008 Nov. 16.
Acocella, Joan.
"The Forbidden World
Did a sixteenth-century heretic grasp the nature of the cosmos?"
The New Yorker Magazine 2008 Aug. 25.
Particle or Wave:
The Evolution of the Concept of Matter in Modern Physics
Sacred Mathematics:
Japanese Temple Geometry
Radio and Television Programs - Astronomy, Space, Science
Radio Programs:
Daily:
StarDate ***
Innovation Now (NASA) ***
Former Discovery Now Radio Program (NASA) ***
Pulse of the Planet (children)
Earth and Sky ***
The Old Farmer's Almanac Radio Report
Weekdays (sometimes aired weekends):
Science Today (CBS Radio Network)
Weekly (National Public Radio (NPR)):
Friday, 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time, broadcast live -
Talk of the Nation – Science Friday
Weekends -
RadioLab
National Geographic Radio Programs
Computer and Technology Topics - Daily Radio Features:
Kim Komando (Also Weekly Talk Show) ***
Bloomberg
Bootcamp
Natural Sciences radio programs hosted by Dr. Scott Shalaway:
The Wild Side: Saturday, 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. -
WVLY-AM 1370, Wheeling WV:
Link 1 ***
Link 2 ***
Listen Live to the Show
The Wild Side: Saturday, 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. -
WKKX-AM 1600, Wheeling WV:
Special Note: The Birds and Nature
Sunday, Noon - 2:00 p.m.: WMNY-AM 1360, Pittsburgh radio show
was discontinued after the show of
2013 September 29, due to the change in management of the radio station.
Many past episodes of this show are archived on
< www.talkshoe.com >.
Internet Web Sites of Dr. Scott Shalaway:
Link 1 ***
Link 2
Television Programs:
"400 Years of the Telescope."
Broadcast: PBS-TV 2009 April 10, 10:00 p.m. EDT
Upcoming Science and Nature Programs on WQED-TV 13, Pittsburgh
Weekly (PBS):
Star Gazers
(
Web Site of Original "Star Hustler"/"Star Gazer") ***
SkyWeek (Sky & Telescope Magazine)
Nova ***
Nature ***
DragonFlyTV (children)
Cable Television:
National Geographic Channel ***
Discovery Channel *
Science Channel
Weather Channel
***
Current Astronomy, Space, and Science News
Special Note Regarding News Reports and Links
Meteor Shower --
S. Delta-Aquarid: peaks July 28-29.
Moon Phases:
Today ***
Calendar Month
Next 27.32166 Days
(Orbital Period)
Planets, Stars, Sky Events:
Today ***
This Week
Occultations
Constellations ***
Star Chart
View ISS (Space Station)
2015 Equinoxes (EQX), Solstices (SOLC), and Cross-Quarter (XQ) Days
2015 Chronological Cycles and Eras
Dominical Letter: "D" - Used in a Perpetual Calendar. For Year 2015.
Astronomical Glossary
of Terms Used
* June 17, local sunset (Pittsburgh - June 17, 8:52 p.m. EDT / June 18, 0:52 UTC) to July 17, local sunset (Pittsburgh - July 17, 8:48 p.m. EDT / July 18, 0:48 UTC) - In Islam, the month of
Ramadan, calculated by using the Islamic lunar calendar, begins at astronomical New Moon.
* Wed., July 1 -
Dominion Day /
Canada Day (Canada: 1867 July 1).
* Wed., July 1 - First day of
Fiscal Year (Pennsylvania: July 1).
* Wed., July 1 - First day of
calendar year Third Quarter (July 1).
* July 1 to 3 (1863) - Anniversary of the
Battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania of the
American Civil War (July 1 to 3).
* Wed., July 1, 10:00 a.m. EDT / 14:00 UTC -
Venus 0.4 degree south of Jupiter; rare, very close conjunction of the two brightest planets visible in the Earth's sky.
* Wed., July 1, 10:20 p.m. EDT / July 2, 2:20 UTC - Moon Phase: Full Moon - Buck Moon.
First of 2 Full Moon phases in July.
* July 3 to Aug. 11 (approx.) -
"
The Dog Days of Summer" (July 3 to Aug. 11).
* Fri., July 3 - Official observance of Independence Day, traditionally celebrated with
fireworks (U.S.A.: 1776 July 4).
* Sat., July 4 - Independence Day, traditionally celebrated with
fireworks (U.S.A.: 1776 July 4).
* Sat., July 4 (1054) -
Anniversary of observation of a "Guest Star" (i.e. supernova), which created what today is known as the
Crab Nebula.
Supernova SN 1054 was observed in China, Japan, Baghdad, and by the
Anasazi Pueblo Peoples in New Mexico. This was the first recorded observation of a major astronomical event in North America (July 4).
* Sun., July 5 -
Global Sun-day.
* Sun., July 5, 3:00 p.m. EDT / 19:00 UTC - Moon at perigee: 367,093 kilometers.
* Mon., July 6, 12:00 Noon EDT / 16:00 UTC - Dwarf Planet Pluto at opposition (Pluto visible approx. local sunset to local sunrise, with telescope).
* Mon., July 6, 3:00 p.m. EDT / 19:00 UTC - Earth at aphelion, furthest point in orbit from the Sun: 152,093,481 kilometers (Beginning of July).
* July 7 to 16, -
CITIZEN SCIENCE -
Annual
Globe at Night campaign, to raise public awareness of the impact of light pollution by encouraging everyone everywhere to measure local levels of night sky brightness and contribute observations on-line to a world map.
* Wed., July 8, 4:24 p.m. EDT / 20:24 UTC - Moon Phase: Last Quarter.
* Wed., July 8, 11:00 p.m. EDT / July 9, 3:00 UTC - Uranus 0.8 degree north of the Moon; occultation: eastern portion of Antarctica, Indian Ocean, southern tip of Madagascar, most western portion of Australia.
* Fri., July 10 -
World Population Day: United Nations (July 11).
* Fri., July 10, 12:00 Midnight EDT / 4:00 UTC - Greatest illumination of Venus during evening apparition - Visual Magnitude: - 4.7.
* Sun., July 12, 2:00 p.m. EDT / 18:00 UTC - Star
Aldebaran 0.9 degree south of the Moon; occultation: northern portion of Japan, eastern section of Russia, Alaska, northern portion of Canada, Greenland, Iceland.
* Wed., July 15 -
St. Swithun's Day - According to tradition, the weather occurring on St. Swithun's Day will continue for forty days. This legend does have a scientific basis. At this time of year, for most years, the jet stream settles into a reasonably steady pattern until the end of August (July 15).
* Wed., July 15 -
Military Consumer Protection Day (Mid-July).
* Wed., July 15, 9:24 p.m. EDT / July 16, 1:24 UTC - Moon Phase: New Moon - Lunation # 1145.
* Thur., July 16 - Mercury at perihelion.
* July 18 to 26 -
National Moth Week -
CITIZEN SCIENCE project where citizen scientists can help map moth distribution and provide needed information on other life history aspects around the globe (Last full week of July).
* Sat., July 18, 2:00 p.m. EDT / 18:00 UTC - Jupiter 4 degrees north of the Moon.
* Sat., July 18, 9:00 p.m. EDT / July 19, 1:00 UTC - Venus 0.4 degree north of the Moon; occultation: New Guinea, northeastern section of Australia, Melanesia, French Polynesia.
* Mon., July 20 (1969) - 10:56:20 p.m. EDT / July 21, 2:56:20 UTC -
"Moon Day" -
45th anniversary of the moment the first human (Neil Armstrong) set foot on the Earth's Moon, during the NASA mission of Apollo 11 (July 20).
Special Note: Neil Armstrong was originally scheduled to first step on the Moon during the early morning hours of Monday ("Moonday"), July 21. Although this historic moment actually occurred earlier than scheduled, during the July 20 television prime-time in America, it actually did occur on "Moonday," July 21 at 2:56:20
Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), the time-scale used by many scientists.
Also see:
personal remembrance of Apollo 11 mission.
* Tue., July 21, 7:00 a.m. EDT / 11:00 UTC - Moon at apogee: 404,835 kilometers.
* Wed., July 22 -
Pi Approximation Day, a holiday commemorating the mathematical constant π (pi) (July 22: 22/7).
* Thur., July 23, 3:00 p.m. EDT / 19:00 UTC - Mercury in superior conjunction (Mercury not visible, even with a telescope).
* Fri., July 24, 12:04 a.m. EDT / 4:04 UTC - Moon Phase: First Quarter.
* Sat., July 25, 4:00 a.m. EDT / 8:00 UTC - Asteroid and Dwarf Planet
Ceres at opposition (Ceres visible approx. local sunset to local sunrise).
* Sun., July 26 (1990) - 25th Anniversary:
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) signed into law by U.S. President George H.W. Bush (July 26).
* Sun., July 26 -
Parents' Day (fourth Sunday of July).
* Sun., July 26, 4:00 a.m. EDT / 8:00 UTC - Saturn 2 degrees south of the Moon.
* Tue., July 28 -
World Hepatitis Day (July 28).
* Wed., July 29 -
Annual Rain Day in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania (July 29).
* Wed., July 29, 11:00 a.m. EDT / 15:00 UTC (Best viewing: Midnight to Dawn) - Peak of
S. Delta-Aquarid Meteor Shower (July 28 to 29).
* Fri., July 31 - Dog Days of Summer:
Rising of Sirius (the "Dog Star") ahead of the Sun (however, Sirius not visible until, at least, Aug. 7, due to glare of the Sun) (July 31).
* Fri., July 31, 6:43 a.m. EDT / 10:43 UTC - Moon Phase: Full Moon.
Blue Moon by definition of second Full Moon in a calendar month.
* Fri., July 31, 4:00 p.m. EDT / 20:00 UTC - Venus 6 degrees south of Jupiter.
* Sat., Aug. 1 -
Astronomical Mid-Point of Summer -
Traditional Astronomical Cross-Quarter Day, also known as
“Lammas” (in the United Kingdom) and
“Lughnassad” (in Ireland). Considered approximate date of First Harvest (third traditional cross-quarter day of the year), approximately between the Midsummer Solstice and the Autumnal Equinox (July 31 Eve - Aug. 1).
Actual Cross-Quarter Day.
* Fri., Aug. 7, 8:29 a.m. EDT / 12:29 UTC -
Astronomical Mid-Point of Summer -
Actual Astronomical Cross-Quarter Day (halfway between the June Solstice and September Equinox: ~Aug. 7).
Traditional Cross-Quarter Day.
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