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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:

Then, disaster struck in 2023, when an unwise decision was made by former President Coggins, 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.

I don't want to sound too vitriolic, but this major building removal is beyond upsetting. And it should be upsetting to any Alumni who has researched the background of this drastic move. And this 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 AFTERTHOUGHT/OUT-OF-SIGHT/OUT-OF-MIND.

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 to any public relations advertising in telling the Fork Union story; a story that showcases an institution that is far more advanced than many private academies.

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.