Dr. Harry E. Crull sits at the controls for the Spitz model A-1 planetarium projector in the Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium

Description:	Dr. Harry E. Crull sits at the controls for the Spitz model A-1 planetarium projector in the west wing of the James Irving Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium. Mahogany paneling and a painted Indianapolis skyline decorate the perimeter of the room. Painted by Garo Z. Antreasian, the skyline 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. 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). Before coming to the University, Dr. Crulls previous experience included being a lecturer at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago, Illinois and later, the Assistant Director of the Griffith Planetarium in Los Angeles, California. While at the University, he was one of the first people in Indiana to teach televised astronomy courses. Dedicated on Friday, November 5, 1954, the Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium 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. The building includes a central tower topped with a dome housing a 38-inch Cassegrainian reflector telescope manufactured by J. W. Fecker, Inc., a planetarium in the west wing, and a lecture room in the east wing. Reports vary, but the estimated cost of the building and the telescope was between $325,000 and $350,000. J. I. and Musetta Holcomb provided the funding for the project and some sources claim the skyline painting includes the Holcombs house. According to the November 1957, edition of Butler Reports, an estimated 90,000 people visited the structure during its first three years (p. 7).
Origin:	1955-01-07
Source:	http://palni.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/BldgsGrnds/id/2812
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:	Planetariums Observatories Butler University--Buildings College buildings Butler University--History Indianapolis (Ind.)--History People Crull, Harry E., 1909-1972 James Irving Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium Holcomb Observatory Fairview campus

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