272 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1957 



developed there lias been quite different from that of the other plane- 

 tariums. First, the planetarium sky theater has not dominated the 

 operation ; equal emphasis has been given the exhibits and displays in 

 the superb popular science museum. Cooperation with the schools 

 has been carried out most extensively. The theme for a month per- 

 meates the presentation in the dome, but it also extends to the exhibits 

 and general motif. For example, during the Latin Festival, the ori- 

 entation in the planetarium is to the skies of Rome, and the Museum 

 displays exhibits and projects prepared by Pittsburgh-area students 

 in conjunction with their studies of the classics. School teachers are 

 involved in the planning and implementation, and prizes are awarded 

 to the students. The donors of the prizes include nearly every 

 Pittsburgh manufacturer interested in science. 



Unlike most of the other American planetariums, Buhl has in this 

 manner extended its interests beyond astronomy and the natural sci- 

 ences to include social science, language, engineering, etc. Probably 

 more young people have been reached in so doing. The number of 

 Institute visitors proportionate to the greater Pittsburgh population 

 is higher than for the planetariums in other metropolitan centers. 



MOREHEAD PLANETARIUM 



The Morehead Planetarium is housed in an elegant classical-style 

 building on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel 

 Hill, N. C. It was the gift of John M. Morehead, former Ambas- 

 sador to Sweden. The building, in addition to the dome with its 

 Zeiss projector, which was purchased from Stockholm, has a Coper- 

 nican planetarium, extensive exhibit spaces, sumptuous meeting rooms, 

 and a state dining room with all accessories. 



The planetarium is used in conjunction with classes at the Uni- 

 versity, but it also provides a service to the people of North Carolina. 

 The extent of its efficacy becomes clear in comparing the Chapel Hill 

 population of about 10,000 to the annual attendance at the institution 

 of about 80,000. It represents a new type of planetarium environ- 

 ment — a limited audience potential, a superb physical plant, and a 

 center of campus and community activity. 



During and after the second World "War, the famous Zeiss plant in 

 Jena, in the present East Zone of Germany, was diverted to other 

 purposes than planetarium construction. For several years, pro- 

 jectors were not available. This situation has changed now, and both 

 Carl Zeiss, Oberkochen, and Carl Zeiss, Jena, appear to be ready to 

 produce planetariums to order. Construction is in progress for new 

 installations in Sao Paulo, Brazil ; Caracas, Venezuela ; and London, 

 England. However, during the several years in which Zeiss was out 

 of the market, the demand for new installations was great. There 

 was a resurgence of interest in science, abetted popularly by the 



