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CONSTELLATIONS IN MOTION ON DOME

The same Fork Union Planetarium "seamless dome" invented by Spitz, was used in the Griffith Observatory Planetarium in California:

Disaster struck in 2023, when an unwise decision was made by former President Coggins, even over objections of the Board of Trustees, as detailed in the following article he wrote, which tried to gloss over the situation. I have added my comments at the end:

Starry Skies and Stewardship

Did you notice the 'slight of hand' in that statement? Not 'operational' therefore 'obsolete?' I'm sorry, but this tells me a lot about his lack of knowledge concerning anything having to do with the operation, maintenance, astronomical concept, and educational use of a Planetarium. One has to wonder what he thinks about other scientific equipment used in the Wicker Science Building that may not be operating correctly; does that mean it is 'obsolete'? or does it mean it needs to be repaired?

I don't want to sound too vitriolic, but the removal of this major building on the campus is beyond upsetting. And it should be upsetting to any Alumni who has researched the background of this drastic move, which has led me to state the following:

HOW CAN ANYONE GIVE FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO AN INSTITUTION THAT CANNOT TAKE CARE OF IT'S BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT?

THE FACT THAT THE PLANETARIUM, AS COL COGGINS STATED IN AUG 2023, 'SAT AT THE END OF THE SCIENCE BUILDING' IS A POOR EXCUSE TO NOT MAINTAIN THE PLANETARIUM AND IT'S EQUIPMENT.

ANYONE READING THAT STATEMENT GETS THE IDEA THAT THE PLANETARIUM WAS JUST AN AFTER-THOUGHT; OUT-OF-SIGHT; OUT-OF-MIND; and shows a lack of appreciation for the Planetarium's educational value.

Current President Black, can now be seen in an online video, talking about the new patio, seen in this photo, under construction:

With the drop in cadet enrollment of 650 in 1972, to aprox 350 in 2024, now was not the time to remove a key part of a premier science teaching facility. Not only did the Planetarium provide an outstanding educational resource but added value to any public relations advertising in telling the Fork Union story; a story that showcases an institution that is (was) far more advanced than many private academies in science and technology.

Now, even as FUMA has reached a reported $1.1 million giving goal for 2025, the administration has decided that a boondoggle patio is an important addition, for, as President Black indicated, "...a welcoming space to gather, connect, and experience the spirit of Fork Union." What does that mean?

Former President Coggins also talked about 'Stewardship' in his August 2023 article, as if that was the main reason for tearing down the Planetarium. Let's look at what Stewardship is.