Friends of the Zeiss

P.O. Box 1041

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15230-1041 U.S.A.

Telephone: 412-561-7876

Electronic Mail: < friendsofthezeiss@planetarium.cc >

Internet Web Site: < http://www.friendsofthezeiss.org >

NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release: 2006 March 27

For more information -- Glenn A. Walsh:

Daytime: E-Mail < gawalsh@planetarium.cc >

Evening: Telephone 412-561-7876

Science Center Misses Deadline to Reassemble

Historic Zeiss Projector; Claims “Delay”

Pittsburgh, March 27 – A 2005 reassembly deadline of Buhl Planetarium’s historic Zeiss II Planetarium Projector, promised the City of Pittsburgh by The Carnegie Science Center, has come and gone with no reassembly. Due to the 2003 collapse of the Science Center’s proposed $90 million expansion project, Science Center officials claim there is a one-year “delay” in reassembly of what was the oldest operable major planetarium projector in the world.

Yet, Friends of the Zeiss Project Director Glenn A. Walsh, in prepared statements before the Board of Directors of the Allegheny Regional Asset District (March 27) and Pittsburgh City Council (March 28) expects that the Zeiss II Projector will not be reassembled this year, and Science Center “ ‘delays’ will probably continue for many years.”

Mr. Walsh explained, “The reassembly of the Zeiss Projector had been planned for the second floor, near the current planetarium entrance. Yet, without a Science Center expansion, this reassembly would take space away from the Science Center’s traveling exhibits gallery—which is important for both attracting new visitors and repeat business. So, I strongly doubt that the Science Center will sacrifice traveling exhibit space for the Zeiss Projector, which they consider only to be an ‘antique artifact.’ ”

Mr. Walsh urged RAD Board and City Council members to “use your influence to have these three artifacts returned to the original Buhl Planetarium building… the only place where these artifacts could actually be used to teach children… Otherwise, they will continue in warehouse storage, collecting dust, educating no one!”

--30 –

NEWS: Planetarium, Astronomy, Space, Science: < http://buhlplanetarium.tripod.com/#news >

To read the complete public statements –

Board of Directors, Allegheny Regional Asset District – 2006 March 27 –

Prepared Text:

< http://venustransit.pghfree.net/fotz/statements/ST-RAD-Buhl2006327.htm >

Large-Print Version:

< http://venustransit.pghfree.net/fotz/statements/ST-RAD-Buhl2006327LP.htm >

Pittsburgh City Council – 2006 March 28 –

Prepared Text:

< http://venustransit.pghfree.net/fotz/statements/ST-PCC-Buhl2006328.htm >

Large-Print Version:

< http://venustransit.pghfree.net/fotz/statements/ST-PCC-Buhl2006328LP.htm >

gaw
 
Glenn A. Walsh
Electronic Mail - < gawalsh@planetarium.cc >
NEWS - Astronomy, Space, Science:
< http://buhlplanetarium.tripod.com/#news >
Author of History Web Sites on the Internet --
* Buhl Planetarium, Pittsburgh: 
 < http://www.planetarium.cc > 
* Adler Planetarium, Chicago: 
 < http://adlerplanetarium.tripod.com >
* Astronomer & Optician John A. Brashear: 
 < http://johnbrashear.tripod.com > 
* Andrew Carnegie & Carnegie Libraries: 
 < http://www.andrewcarnegie.cc > 
* Duquesne Incline cable-car railway, Pittsburgh: 
 < http://www.incline.cc >