Meyer Planetarium: Difference between revisions
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The '''Robert R. Meyer Planetarium''' was a 90-seat specialty theater for teaching astronomy that opened | The '''Robert R. Meyer Planetarium''' was a 90-seat specialty theater for teaching astronomy that opened on [[September 30]], [[1964]] on the campus of [[Birmingham-Southern College]]. Built as a cost of $150,000, the planetarium was planned to take advantage of public interest in space exploration coinciding with NASA's Apollo program. It's establishment was supported by the [[Robert R. Meyer Foundation]] established by hotel executive [[Robert Meyer]]. | ||
The theater used a "Spitz A-3P" projector, enhanced with a stereophonic sound system to present educational programs to students, as well as to the public. | The theater used a "Spitz A-3P" projector, enhanced with a stereophonic sound system to present educational programs to students, as well as to the public. | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
* "[http://archive.org/ | * Lovett, Dale (September 25, 1964) "[http://archive.org/details/Hilltop_News_1964 Planetarium dedication to be Wednesday]" ''[[Hilltop News]].'' Vol. 27, No. 1, p. 1 - via archive.org | ||
* "[http://archive.org/details/Hilltop_News_1964 ...to reach for the stars]" editorial (October 16, 1964) ''[[Hilltop News]].'' Vol. 27, No. 4, p. 2 - via archive.org | |||
* Roald Hazelhoff, director of the Southern Environmental Center (SEC) at Birmingham-Southern | * Roald Hazelhoff, director of the Southern Environmental Center (SEC) at Birmingham-Southern | ||
Revision as of 17:35, 5 December 2017
The Robert R. Meyer Planetarium was a 90-seat specialty theater for teaching astronomy that opened on September 30, 1964 on the campus of Birmingham-Southern College. Built as a cost of $150,000, the planetarium was planned to take advantage of public interest in space exploration coinciding with NASA's Apollo program. It's establishment was supported by the Robert R. Meyer Foundation established by hotel executive Robert Meyer.
The theater used a "Spitz A-3P" projector, enhanced with a stereophonic sound system to present educational programs to students, as well as to the public.
Over the ensuing decades, the college did not invest in upgrading the planetarium's equipment or maintaining staff. During the school's 2010 financial crisis, it was closed down permanently. The building is scheduled to be renovated in 2018 for use as a "GeoDome" to present programs on Alabama geography.
References
- Lovett, Dale (September 25, 1964) "Planetarium dedication to be Wednesday" Hilltop News. Vol. 27, No. 1, p. 1 - via archive.org
- "...to reach for the stars" editorial (October 16, 1964) Hilltop News. Vol. 27, No. 4, p. 2 - via archive.org
- Roald Hazelhoff, director of the Southern Environmental Center (SEC) at Birmingham-Southern