Students look at the Spitz model A-1 planetarium projector in the Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium

Description:	Butler University students view the Spitz model A-1 planetarium projector in the Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium. From left to right the students are Joanne Craig (Class of 1957), Norm Ellenberger (Class of 1955), Norma Apley (Class of 1958, M.S. 1964), Sandi Baker (Class of 1956), Scott Chandler (Class of 1956, M.S. 1960), and Don Gutzweiler (Class of 1955). When it was published in the Here is Your Observatory Come and See It! section of the February 1955 issue of Butler Reports, the photograph included a caption stating, The Butler students view the beautiful planetarium room with its interesting silhouette of the Indianapolis skyline, the rich mahogany paneling and the complicated Spitz Optical Planetarium that reproduces the heavens on the circular dome above (p. 8). Wooden benches surround the projector and the skyline, painted by Garo Z. Antreasian, features many Indianapolis landmarks including the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, Jordan Hall and the Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium. In the article Indianas New Observatory and Planetarium, in the August 1955 issue of Sky and Telescope, author Dr. Harry E. Crull, Professor of Mathematics, Head of the Department of Mathematics at Butler University, and the first director of the building describes the planetarium, The floor of the planetarium wing is four feet below the level of the rest of the building, in order to fit the 12-foot-radius planetarium dome into the exterior dimensions. The 28-foot square chamber seats 100 persons, on circular benches. The dome surface is acoustic plaster painted with white textolite, giving 60 per cent sound absorption and 70 per cent light reflection. The skyline is painted in flat black with the chief landmarks and buildings of Indianapolis, but not as seen from any particular point. Ducts from the heater and air-conditioner are scarcely noticeable in the black of the skyline (p. 405). Construction of the Indiana limestone Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium took approximately 18 months and fill dirt from the Ross Hall construction site (building opened September 12, 1954) was moved to this location, a high plot of land at the entrance to Holcomb Gardens. Dedicated on Friday, November 5, 1954, the structure was designed and planned by Arthur F. Lindberg, Butler University Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds; J. I. Holcomb, Vice President of the Board of Directors and Chair of the Buildings and Grounds Committee; Robert Frost Daggett, consulting architect; the firm of Ammerman, Davis and Stout, consulting engineers; and Dr. Crull. On the dedication day, morning classes were shortened, and afternoon classes were cancelled so people could attend the dedication convocation, which was a part of the Homecoming festivities and the start of the celebrations for the Universitys centennial year. Reports vary, but the estimated cost of the building and the telescope was between $325,000 and $350,000, and J. I. and Musetta Holcomb provided the funding for the project. According to the November 1957, edition of Butler Reports, an estimated 90,000 people visited the structure during its first three years (p. 7). Cropping marks are located along the edges of the photograph.
Origin:	1955
Source:	http://palni.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/BldgsGrnds/id/2803
Collection:	Butler University Buildings and Grounds Collection
Rights:	http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/
Copyright:	In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
Geography:	Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, 39.841474, -86.171414 39.841474 -86.171414
Subjects:	College students Benches Observatories Planetariums Butler University--Buildings College buildings Butler University--History Indianapolis (Ind.)--History People Apley, Norma Baker, Sandi (Sandra P.) Chandler, Scott (Thomas Scott) Craig, Joanne Ellenberger, Norm Gutzweiler, Don James Irving Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium Holcomb Observatory Fairview campus

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