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Spitz Projector User Manual

1. A single screw under the eciiptic plate holds the second 45 mirror to the plate and loosening it slightly permits lifting and rotating the mirror To correct the moon position along the T axis rotate the mirror while observing the projected moon To correct along the P axis tilt the mirror as required by shimming under the front or rear of the mirror mounting block Note that rotating the mirror moves the image normal to the e cliptic along the T axis but horizontally along the P axis Con versely tilting corrects vertically along the P axis but only Il 17 6 66 horizontally along the T axis Observing exactly where the moon is located with reference to marks on the ecliptic before corrections are made will assure than when tilting for example no rotation is inadvertently introduced h Adjusting the Planets 1 Latitude Adjustment for the planets is the same as for the moon 2 Mirror Adjustment Alignment of the mirror support tube is critical as in the case of the moon The tube must be paral lel to the beam from the projector s adjustabie mirror after final noding adjustments or the beam may leave the rotating mirror causing a dim planet image The bracket which holds the adjustable mirror to the bottom of the projector barre like the sun should be aligned paral lel to the projector unless subsequent adjustments necessitate some twisting by loosening the cap screws This mirror should be adjusted toward or aw
2. _ the north and south Drive latitude motion until the ecli ptic line at he summer solstice i is let 709 on the mendiai Drive daily motion through half a day until the _ winter solstice is at the meridian and observe where it crosses Because the earth s axis is inclined 23 1 28 to the ecliptic the projected ecliptic should now be 47 from its starting point or at 23 latitude For meas urement carefully calibrate the hand sextant and use its 1 increments superimposed on the meridian s 10 spacing If the ecliptic has made an excursion of more or less than 47 divide the error by two and by ad justing the one solstice jacking screw move the line by this Gmount in the proper direction Check results by starting with the winter solstice at 20 altitude and driving daily motion to the summer solstice which should now cross the meridian at BSO AO NOTE Accurate ecliptic alignment is fundamental to all subsequent ad i justments because it is the reference line ta the adjustment of li stars sun moon and planets The liquid horizon cutoff within the ecliptic drum must ja adjusted prior to installation of the coordinates With the instrument at home latitude and with either equinox at the meridian adjust equally the three panhead screws on ine bottom of the drum Turning the screws clockwise will lower the reservoir within and the projected ecliptic will show lower an the dome or chamber walls T
3. a allows positioning them in locations inaccessible for straight projection The sphere uses prefabricated bright star and Milky Way lens assemblies The apertures in the bright star assemblies are color coded to denote aperiure diameter The whole uhit is removed by pushing outward from inside the star sphere Southern sky fill in is accomplished by adjust Se able double optical wedge systems The extreme south polar stars 24230 are projected by nine mirrors mounted around the equator of the star sphere Tinted filters impart color characteristics to some stars E the A 3 P and R 3 P Prime Sky Projection Light Sources gt 1 General Description In both units the light source is mounted i in S a weighted cup The adjustable position of bulb filament with respect to the edge of the lt cup provides a horizon cutoff and prevents star pro jection below the planetarium haber horizon The cup swings between gt the arms of a yoke and is easily removed for bulb replacement clones pivots at the top of the cup slip off pins in the ends of the arms i the yoke This yoke swivels on its base and the combined motions of cup and yoke provide a universal motion which keeps the cup dd re ja gardless of the position of the star sphere The gimballed voke assembly is mounted on nd circular flange which is 3 held in position within the star sphere by six hex head machine screws iS Th
4. The projectors can be used in other combinations to project lines useful to illustrate various astronomical concepts 9 The Satellite Projector This projector is very similar to the latitude and zenith projectors but the im age is made to move across the dome by a motor driven arrangement of two mirrors facing in opposite directions As one mirror loses the image the other one picks it up This does away with a lengthy wait between satelliteprojections and still keeps the proper slow motion The bulb is seated upside down and is held in place by the aluminum cap The 6 66 1 12 T A E ES oe fas de pte ae cap also completed the circuit to the base of the lamp 10 The Twilight Projector This projector imitates the bands of clouds and colors of sunrise or sunset and is mounted on a post on either the east or west side of the pedestal top The universal mount allows tipping and rotating the projector to place the projected scene on the de sired part of the planetarium dome The bulb is again found in a tube assembly The tube also serves as a mount ing post for the projector The knurled setscrew is loosened and the whole projector is removed to replace the bulb This projector plugs into the labelied receptacle in the top of the pedestal 11 The Hand Sextant This is a hand held projector which pin a linear scale marked off into 180 It can be moved to project its angular measurements anywhere on the dome
5. coincide with a desired dome seam or some other desired planetarium chamber orientation the entire pedestal should be rotated as required and securely bolted in place If during 90 of latitude change Polaris moves from the north horizon to the zenith in a line not parallel to the meridian shims should be placed under one side of the pedestal before bolting down tight c Aligning the Ecliptic As the ecliptic projector is mounted first to the bottom of the cage section of the instrument and then the coordinates projector is mounted on the bottom of the ecliptic the ecliptic projector must be adjusted first By means of Polaris circle it has been established that the instrument is aligned along the N S axis Before the ecliptic can be adjusted the moving portion of the instrument must be aligned by means of the daily motion drive along the E W axis Use is made of the two southern sup Il 3 6 66 porting rods because they now lie parallel to this axis Any reliable straight rod may be taped to the rods but perhaps the easiest device to use is a piece of string Tie it across the rods so that it lies over the southernmost surface of each rod is level taut and is approximately 11 inches above the base plate The plate on which the ecliptic drum sun and planet projectors are mounted is known as the ecliptic plate Adjacent to the winter solstice of the ecliptic projector this plate hasa straight edge which lies parallel to the a
6. collar which clamps to the shaft by means of a recessed Allen cap screw Loosening this screw slightly permits rotating the instrument about the latitude axis Loosen until slight pressure is required but the instrument does not move freely Always exert pressure on the upper central cage section NEVER on the ecliptic plate or any component below the planet analogs If the cardinal points projectors are controlled by a microswitch actuated by a cam attached to this split clamping collar it is necessary to bring the instrument back to its original latitude position before retightening the capscrew If this setting should need correction tighten the cap screw when the cardinal points move to their alternate mode just as the celestial north pole passes the zenith Caution If this procedure is used to loosen the latitude drive temporarily ALWAYS be sure before retightening that the large 6 66 il 20 brass driven gear kas not moved clong tne latitude shaft It must at all tires maintain lis position so that it is centered fo ES with the driving worm gear The shaft should be marked be fore loosening the cap screw in the split collar Noding the Plenets Prior noding of the meon and setting of the sun will have uti lized certain procedures and concepts which are common to the planets For example it is tne wedge within the heliocentric i orbits longitude dial which imparts inclination to the planets w
7. ment As in the case of sun and planet adjustment the crossed axis procedure is used in noding the moon Tum up the moon rheo stat and run the analog until the rotating mirror projects its beam i ina line parallel to a line between the two 459 mirrors on the ecliptic plate This line will be referred to as the optical axis Turn the knurled knob to rotate the moon s wedge until the zero is at the politei at the outer end of f the line of sight rod Note the moon s latitude it should be on the ecliptic at this time Note alse its exact east west location With reference to some vertical line of the ecliptic Drive the nales through 180 of R A The pointer will be at 180 on the wedge and the moon will be at the opposite end of the axis parallel to the optical axis Zero the wedge by rotating it until zero is again under the pointer Between observations of the projections it will be necessary to drive the instrument in latitude or daily motion to bring the moon and ecliptic to any convenient position at least 30 above the horizon After ob servations have been made at each end of the parallel axis repeat the procedure for each end of the transverse axis For these positions the analog is driven to positions 909 from the two original positions and the wedge always zeroed with respect to the pointer The analog can be driven by switch or ma rually Il 15 6 66 6 66 if the center cover is removed and t
8. 6 66 earth Thus the instruments covered by this manual must project the stars planets sun and moon as seen from earth at any moment in time We begin with the stars on the celestial sphere and relate the solar system to the stars In setting up the instrument the celestial coordinates and the ecliptic are projected against a certain background of stars for this epoch of time As the instrument provides precessional motion we must be certain that we are operating at the right point in precessional motion when demonstrating for this epoch a Setting the Planetarium Precessional Motion for Present Epoch 1 Precessional motion is produced by turning tne knob on the vertical control panel clockwise for forward in time motion and counter clockwise for the reverse motion In the forward mode the stars move eastward along the celestial equator 2 Operate precessional motion until the aluminum pointer near the flange at the base of the star sphere points directly at the center of the end of the daily motion shaft To refine this adjustment bring the roriliesagin sar OE Orion s belt Mintaka to 5 1 2 hours right ascension after the coordinates projector has been adjusted as described below When properly set Polaris should make a circle of 2 diameter around the Celestial North Pole when the instrument is operated through 24 hours of daily motion b Centering the Star Lamp within the Star Sphere If at the present precessiona
9. change the brightness of the projected imates The sun has its own circuit and the planets are divided between two circuits one for the inferior planets Mercurv and Venus and one for the superior planets Mars Jupiter and Saturn The moon image projector and phasing mechanism are mounted on the large cylindrical housing about the planet analogs The moon image is projected by two op posing 45 mirrors on the ecliptic plate and then reflected back to the rotating mirror The cylindrical housing also costas the drive and electrical circuits for all the analogs These motors are synchronized to drive the planets sun and moon in their proper relative speeds against the correct background of stars projected by the star sphere Planet Analogs The analogs for the five planets are essentially the same ex cept for a reversal of the planet and earth position in the inferior and superior planet analogs Each is made up of the following parts a The main plate which is parallel with the ecliptic rotates once for each planetarium earth or planet year depending Upon whether the ji plate represents the earth on inferior analogs or planets on superior The shaft to the projection mirror projects through the center of this plate b Attached to this main plate is the heliocentric longitude dial The dial is repeated as a larger and more easily read version centered around the mirror shaft holding collar attached to the ana
10. coordinates system to the meridian Read the moon dial and be sure the tie in switch is IN Advance daily motion through 3609 or one day until the original hour circle is back on the meridian The moon dial should have ad vanced 149 if adjustment is necessary a rheostat on the annual motion chassis is used lt is identified by a 1 4 shafi projecting from the rear of the chassis Turning the adjustment clockwise increases the duration of the pulses delivered to the annual motion system Ad just this rheostat until the moon moves approximately 14 during one day if finer adjustment is required use a similar rheostat found on top of the annual motion switch within the console Some earlier instruments have only the one tuning meostat en the AM chassis Before adjusting tie in it is best to turn the tuning rheostat s to the middle position The tie in feature may be elim inated at any time by moving the AM chassis switch to OUT il 31 6 66 i ES ADDENDA TO SECTION Il 1 Noding of Inferior Planets on Instruments Having Manual Planet Setting Knobs Refer to page Il 25 Earlier A 3 P instruments employ a manual setting knob for each inferior planet rather than a motor drive The same basic techniques are used in observing and tab ulating the planets positions with reference to the ecliptic when at the ends of the parallel and transverse axes By experiment it will be ascertained what combinations of
11. guiding the slots in the cup hanger hooks off the pins Remove the prefocused GE _ 1637 bulb by turning the twist lock base counterclockwise Insert the IV 3 f A e pois kd ki new bulb by reversing the process and replace the cup on the star sphere yoke The lamp flange should be painted or inked to prevent excess re flections On some older instruments a GE 1600 bayonet based bulb was used On it the cup could not be removed from the voke so if is necessary to re move the star sphere itself from around the light cup in order to replace the bulb Four knurled screws hold the star sphere to its base The sphere must be guided outward north as well as upward to follow the angle of the yoke Some flat black paint or ink from a metal marking pen eliminates re flection from the bulb base a reflection which could cause double pro jection resulting in fuzzy stars Sun Moon and Planet Bulb Replacement 1 Remove the lamp assembly and replace with a new GE 261 pre mounted bulb assembly rated for 1 000 hours of operation 2 Qn older lostiumenks the prefocused GE PR 12 bulb is used It is inserted base up in the image projector receptacle with the filament placed towards the front of the projector Tighten the aluminum cap in place and hold a piece of white paper close to the projector mirror to examine the projected filament image It should make a bright U shaped and well centered image
12. inclination of the or bits of the planets and the arm rotates around the wedge it is in all cases the brass arm pointer which must be related to the nodal positions on the dial This pointer hanges below one end of the arm and its point is close to the dial for easy reference A thorough understanding of the analogs will assist in the re maining adjustments noding and setting up the nstrument for a specific date a Each is an analog of a portion of the solar svstem and the three significant positions represent those of the sun earth and a planet In all cases the sun s position is at the center of the arm wedge and inner heliocentric longitude dial The arm rotates about this center carrying a cylindrical magnet with a cupped outer end in which rides a steel ball This ball being the nearer planetarv element to the sun represents the position of tne nearer of the iwo planets under consideration for a spec ific analog Thus for Mercury and Venus the ball represents those planets because the earth is farther away from the sun For the three superior planet analogs the ball represents the earth for the earth is nearer the sun The third significant position is at the center of the analog and is seen as a post which protrudes from the center of the large thick colored plate and is continued downward by the tube and rod assembly which terminates in the rotating mirror This position is farthest re moved from the
13. material and workmanship Any lamp which fails to ignite or otherwise becomes inoperable due _ to defects in material or workmanship will be replaced if re turned within the warranty period The entire obligation of Spitz Space Systems under this warranty is to replace defec tive lamps or at its option to credit the purchaser This warranty is in lieu of all other warranties whether expressed implied or statutory including implied warranties of merchant ability or fitness It extends only to buyer when purchasing directly from Spitz Space Systems Inc It is suggested that the lamp be installed and tested w immediatelv upon receipt bv the customer WARRANTY d A 123417 A a agro
14. of the sun moon and planets 1 Make all adjustments when the projected image is at the ends pa y of two crossed ax s at right angles to each other These axes are parallel and transverse to the optical axis of the projector When the rotating mirrors are positioned parallel to the sta tionary adjustable mirrors on the projectors turning the No 1 screw on the bottom of the latter moves the image normal to the ecliptic at either end of the parallel axis When the rotating mirror is turned 909 the image projects along the transverse axis and the upper two screws are used If screw Il 6 No 2 upper left is turned in or clockwise the image will move up or down toward the ecliptic but also to the left This latter horizontal motion must be counteracted by moving screw No 3 upper right an equal distance in the opposite direction so that the resultant effect has been to move the image normal to the ecliptic 2 All adjustments of mirrors are made so that images move at right angles to the ecliptic at the four points discussed above and when these are correct all points between will be cor rect 3 Adjustments made for an image at the two ends of one axis if the motion has been normal to the ecliptic will not af fect the nomal motion at the ends of the other axis For example if a planet projected parallel to the optical axis of its projector is 3 below the ecliptic at 7 hours R A and 19 above at 19 h
15. out until the 5 hour 30 minute R A and 0 declination are on the star o Mintaka in Orion Check to see that the Vernal and Autumnal Equinoxes fall at 0 and 12 hours on the celestial equator The Ecliptic Projector Bulb l The coordinates projector is first ii and the bulb i is replaced i in he same manner as for the coordingtes projector To align the projected ecliptic turn on the ecliptic projector and the sun and move the bulb ex tension tube in and out until the ecliptic line falls on the sun Astronomical Triangle and Twilight Projectors These projectors use the GE 695 screw base bulbs The bulb is reached th rough the round ports covered with hinged round doors in the sides of the triangle projectors On the twilight projector the bulb screws into IMS 6 66 the end of the bulb extension tube which is held in place with a set ted screw The bulb fo the twilight projector is red gelatin coated B Malfunctions Symptom Cause Remedy 1 No Power to the Operator s Console Possible Cause and Remedies a Planetarium chamber main power off Perhaps a fuse blown If not a switch inadvertently thrown on the circuit breaker panel Have electrician de ermine cause and repair b Key switch on console burned out Replace key switch or tempor arily connect both wires to the same terminal screw on the back of the switch c Main power circuit fuse burned out Lighted Replace 10 amp fuse If it goes
16. power and from the braking effect which is con stantly aop liai when the annual motion control on the console is in the off position and the key switch is on lts purpose is to maintain synchronization of all drives by preventing coasting of the analogs There may be times when an individual drive should be eliminated from the annual motion system as when a motor or analog develops a defect or when adjustments are being made When checking aligrment of the moon s optical system it will be necessary to drive the dove prism elther by its switch or by dis connecting its plug and manually turning the dove barrel within the center section 6 66 il 12 The dove prism when rotated once imparts two rotations to ihe moon image f ihe image is not properly centered through the prism axis the path of the two circles described will not coin cide and becouse the image thus covers too large an area it nay be partially lost off one of the mirrors and the projected moon may appear to be eclipsed The path of the rotating image may be observed by taping a piece of paper across the 45 mirrors on the ecliptic plate The image at this point is a slightly defocused U shaped lamp filament Turn the dove until the arms of the U face away from your point of opservation and place a dot in its center Rotate the image in steps of 90 placing a central dot at each step until two com plete rotations have been made The circles described by the eight
17. sun and is therefore the earth on the Mercury and Venus analogs and the planet for the superior analogs Observation of the analogs while running will show that the ball rotates around the sun and both these elements around the plate post The arm pointer always indicates the heliocentric longitude for the ball whether it represents a planet or the earth The plate or post longitude is indicated by a scribed cylinder or two small holes located near the perimeter of the plate and always maintained in a position adjacent to the dial A moment s reflection on the foregoing and a little practice will infallibly tell the operator which indicator he will set for which element of the solar system for a given analog For example y Mercury Analog Ball Arm Pointer Planet l ii Post Plate Indicator Earth Mars Analog Ball Arm Pointer Earth Post Plate Indicator Planet b The outer dial on the plastic dust cover of each analog is a duplication of the dial within and is provided to make setting easier when the internal indicators are in positions which are a way from the operator and difficult to read The brass pointer fixed to the plate duplicates the reading of the plate indicator the scribed flat aluminum pointer duplicates the setting of the inner arm pointer c The 1 16 diameter brass line of sight rod passes through the steel ball and terminates in the central post thus at all times duplicating the observ
18. switches to control such optional chamber circuits as those for room lights receptacles or special effects k l Y P EA Xi 09 SECTION IV MAINTENANCE A General Description 1 The Spitz Yearly Maintenance Contract yearl y maintenance and inspection service is provided by the Spitz Service Department A laboratorv trained maintenance man will give your instrument a thor ough inspection cleaning and will repair or replace all parts er units not up to standard Write to Spitz Laboratories Inc Yorklyn Delaware for information on this service 2 Cleaning q a Dusting the Star Sphere A soft flexible brush of the large househould painting variety is ideal for dusting the perforated surface of the star sphere This should be done as often as required to keep dust from clogging the star holes NOTE If it is suspected that a star hole has been clogged a piece of tracing paper or onien skin typing paper passed over the sphere in the suspected area will reveal a partially stopped up star hole Clean with a fine wire or needle b Cleaning Star Sphere Lenses A smaller soft bristled brush of the soft water color type will remove dust from the projection lenses and mirrors without removing them from the sphere Lens tissue rolled into a small tube will generally remove any film that may collect on the lens surface IV 1 6 66 Cleaning the Planet Sun and Moon Lenses and Mirrors Projected
19. the collar and the positive side of the yoke and its wire is red E ae spare incandescent light source is provided with sad new instrument aoe ene to be used in case of are lamp failure _ It replaces the arc lamp cup in the yoke without any modification As the two light sources are so ease ily Interchanged some operators might prefer to use the incandescent ae ONS ki A e LL e maae wea a a ote Piirab IT ema im Sada ala veel 1 he wel sea light source for less important demonstrations 3 The Planet Sun end Moon Projectors General The planetarium projection instrument represents the earth in the earth planet sun and moon relationships in the solar system because it projects moving images of these objects as viewed from earth The planet projection mechanisms are designed as models or analogs of the earth planet and sun systems They produce a line of sight the line of the projection image of the planet from the earth to the planet as it moves around the sun wedge shaped plates move the projected planet and moon images above and below the ecliptic in their properly inclined orbits The sun and moon drives simply move these projected images around the planet arium sky in their apparent motions The illumination of the planetdnd sun images comes from projectors mounted below the large plate at the bottom of the cage like supporting section Rheostat con trolled illumination circuits
20. the planet TETRIS eR E gt e The line of sight rod moves the mirror shaft because one end of the rod is inserted into a holding collar which grips the mirror shaft f A cylindrical plastic dust cover protects all of the analogs except for the mirror shaft and mirror mechanisms A port in this cover allows replacing the line of sight rod ball in its magnetic seat if it is dis lodged without removing the entire dust cover g The projection mirror shaft is a compound shaft with a solid rod in side a hollow outer tube The holding collar is threaded and an adjust ing screw moves the outer tube in or out without turning the tube When properly set the adjusting screw is locked in place by a setscrew h The outer tube is locked to the mirror support bracket at the other end of the shaft by a setscrew The solid inner rod which presses against the mirror pivot is held against the end of the inner rod bya spring AT ee AL RE o i Thus turning the adjusting screw clockwise on the holding collar tips the mirror upward or northward and turning the adjusting screw counter clockwise on the collar tips the mirror downward or southward to ad just the latitude of the projected planet The Sun Proj ctor Drive which like the planet and moon analogs has to move the sun s image around the planetarium sky in its apparent yearly trip around the earth The shaft and mirror mechanisms are located in side the sup
21. upper end The bulb is held in place by a collar like cap This whole assembly is held in place to position the filament near the center of the projector by a knurled screw in the socket The bulb tube is simply pulled out of the projector for lamp replacement The double walled liquid filled horizon cutoff ball surrounds the bulb and prevents the projected image from appearing below the planetarium chamber horizon As the entire projector is attached to an aluminum rod by a universal mount and the other end of the rod attached to the latitude motion shaft extension by another universal mount there are ample distance and position adjustments possible to minimize occultation by the star sphere 7 The Meridian Projector The meridian projector projects a line marked off from O to 90 from the north ern and southern horizons The zenith is indicated by a large dot at the 90 position The projector is mounted on a ball and socket swivel atop the bearing block of the lat itude axis shaft on the same side of the instrument as the daily motion drive The lamp is in a tube assembly which permits removing it from inside the pro jector to replace the bulb It also allows in and out adjustment for proper positioning the projected image of the meridian on the dome When the bulb is correctly positioned the tube is secured by the knurled setscrew The lamp assembly is held in the projector box by a slotted flange held in place by two stud
22. 6 Jupiter l 270 18 Saturn l 270 18 Only Mercury and Venus lie along the solsticial axis of the instru ment and should show exactly on the hour circle The superior analogs being off center from this axis should show their projected planets a couple degrees off the proper side of the hour circle to compensate for this fact For example the Mars analog is offset to the left of center and the planet should be at approximately 6 hours 10 minutes R A If a planet does not appear at its proper R A loosen the rotating mirror assembly setscrew and rotate the mirror as required before retightening the setscrew The mirror is spring loaded to keep fhe Il 19 6 66 analog arm in contact with the wedge so it will be nec essary when making this adjustment to hold the rotating mirror e upward as it is rotated into position lest it drop downward off the end of the tube 4 Freeing Latitude Axis When making adjustments to the planets moon etc and it is necessary to observe these bodies in more than half the sky as in noding or setting up for a particular date rather than run the instrument repeatediv in daily or latitude motion it is often advantageous to loosen the latitude dzive so that the entire instrument can be swung manually through its supports Remove the dust cover from the support block adjacent to the extended latitude axis carrying the pole and geocentric earth projectors Fixed to the large brass gear is a split shaft
23. If it does not tum the bulb or replace with another bulb until a good filament image is projected Now exam ine the image projected onto the dome On projectors using achromat lenses in the end of the barrel if it is a little fuzzy turn the projector lens in or out until the image becomes sharp Actually some operators prefer a slightly fuzzy image to add to the realism of the projected planet IV 4 6 66 d e Zenith Pole Latitude and Satellite Projectors Follow the same procedure as with the planet projectors to replace the the PR 12 bulbs used in these projectors Meridian and Geocentric Earth Projector Bulbs To replace the PR 12 bulbs in these projectors loosen the setserew which holds the bulb extension tube in place Pull out th tube and unscrew the tube cap Before tightening the setserew and after replacing the bulb and extension tube turn on the projector and check the placement l of the projection with respect to other celestial reference points Often a slight tim of the bulb extension tube will make a better filgment a lignment and produce a sharper projected image The Coordinates Projector Bulb Loosen the setscrew in the base at the bottom of the projector and pull out E the bulb extension tube Loosen the cap and replace with a new PR 12 bulb To properly position the projected coordingtes turn on the stars and the coordinates projector Move the bulb extension tube in and
24. RIP or Spare Powerstats Immediately forward of the panel lights and reading light rheostats are two Knobs controlling two powerstais Where Room lllumination Projector rings are supplied Sound the instrument base in lieu of cove lights on the dome these are the controls f cove lighting is supplied these powerstats may be used to control 110V auxiliary projectors Their circuits lead to the termina strip within the console Note that the capacity of each power stat is 1 75 amperes Electrical Drawings A complete set of electrical drawings is supplied with each instrument These will be helpful in troubleshooting electrical problems and in making use of ie i 6 66 6 66 w the auxiliary controls discussed above The operator should consult these drawings before connecting to the terminal strip inside the console or using l 4 the auxiliary sockets on the instrument base Additional Console Controls On either side of the console drawer is a small square removable panel The one to the left is used when the installation includes a slide projector On this panel is an ON OFF switch to actuate the entire projector sys tem an electronic rheostat to control the lamp only and a socket into which the remote control cable is plugged The fan is ON when the switch is on and should be left running until the lamp is cool The panel to the right of the drawer is supplied with four blanked holes in which the operator can mount
25. ace of the kneehole on the operator s side of the console The brightness of the projected arrow is controlled by the rheostat labelled POINTER located near the forward left corner of the reading light panel Panel Lights Red panel lights are found behind the vertical panel and under the two side H 5 6 65 6 66 sections of the horizontal panel They furnish the illumination for backlighting the engraved captions under the controls of all panels The brightness of this backlighting is entatisa by the theostat labelled PANEL LIGHTS at the near left comer of the reading light panel Reading Light The reading light panel provides a low level backlighting of lecture notes when it is necessary to refer to them in the darkened planetarium chamber The brightness is controlled by the rheostat labeled READING LIGHT in the near right corner of the reading light panel The red light provided does not appreciably affect the dark adaptation of the eyes Cardinal Points j The four compass points N E S and W are projected onto the dome from the cardinal point projectors mounted on the top of the pedestal The cardinal points are turned on by a forward throw of the switch just to the right of the reading light panel marked CARDINAL POINTS The brightness of the projected image is varied by the rheostat knob at the center of the bottom row of controls on the vertical panel labelled CARDINAL POINTS E
26. ach projector projects either of the two cardinal points 1809 apart that is NS EW SN or WE When sufficient latitude change has been made to require reversing the points on the dome a sien at the end of the latitude axis automatically switches the circuit to the reversed set of projection letters on the projectors The microswitch operating position can be adjusted to make the reversal of cardinal points suit your local or desired latitude situation A ay A tin Use or Wait Switch This switch is used to tum on a lighted sign outside the planetarium chamber When lighted this sign indicates to visitors that a show is in progress arid that the chamber should not be entered The switch is located at the forward right corner of the horizontal panel Lever Switches Along the forward edges of the two horizontal panels are ten switches which control the correspondingly marked sockets on the instrument base These for the Projection Orrerv Meteor Bolide Comet Eclipse Aurora and Auxiliary are single throw double pole On one side of each is 110V for motors and on the other 6V for lamps The two Constellation switches are double pole double throw and control J four V circuits for lamps only An eleventh switch to the extreme right marked IN USE is single throw and controls a 110V circuit to the terminal strip within the console From this point it may be used to control a fixture at the entrance
27. and proves invaluable in discussing altitude and azimuth of stars during a navigation dem onstration The on button is located on the tube of the projector The scale is calibrated by projecting the meridian and comparing with the sextant divisions to determine where it should be held in order to project correctly The GE 605 lamp is replaced by removing the two machine screws in the collar which holds the handle to the projector head 12 The Meteor Projector This projector is mounted on a post on the pedestal It is operated from the Meteor switch on the left horizontal control panel Ac the switch projects irregularly timed moving streaks of light onto the dome A residual image fades more slowly as the streaks disappear 13 Projected Cardinal Points The cardinal points N E S and W are projected onto the dome near the horizon in the appropriate directions When the instrument is driven in latitude so that the observer s position crosses the north or south pole a microswitch is actuated 1413 by a cam on the latitude axis to reverse the cardinal points The projectors are mounted on the ada base and are plugged into marked outlets The operating switeh is mounted on the right hand horizontal panel of the Op erator s Console Forward motion of ihe switch turns on the cardinal points Their brilliance is controlled by a rheostat knob located on the vertical panel of the Operator s y panel p Console 14 The Pr
28. and a month or so back in time and finish by driving the planets to the meridian in forward motion This will reveal a planet sun or moon that is not moving properly for it will not come back to the meridian with the others Possible Causes and Remedies a The clutch on the superior planets or the moon knob shafts could be slipping Turn the knob to detect slippage Tighten the clutch by loosening the setscrew on the clutch nut Tighten the nut and tighten the setscrew All are located on the threaded portion of the knob shaft On the moon double motor drive check to see that the setscrews on the gears connecting the two motors to the analog drive are not loose causing the gears to slip b Ball is not moving freely on the line of sight rod Clean rod with fine crocus cleth and lubricate lightly with light machine oil c Lack of 45 volt D C braking voltage Causes planets sun and moon and precessional motion to coast This coasting is most easily detected in the star sphere precessional metion Check fuse IV 7 6 66 on annual motion speed control chassis Replace if blown If it blows again ask Spitz for a replacement chassis If none of the above is found to be the cause of improper annual motion replace the motor on the unit which does not perform properly in the synchronization test Furnish the name of the planet sun or moon motor desired as their lead in wires from the terminal strip to analog mount
29. ay from the end of the projector bar rel so that the planet beam passes upward through the center of the hole in the ecliptic plate A piece of thin paper over the opening will show the beam s location as it leaves the ad justable mirror The projector is held to the ecliptic plate by a single screw which when loosened permits swivelling the entire pro jector The adjustable mirror should be centered under the hole in the ecliptic plate because this opening is immed iately under the rotating mirror assembly and the center of the analog 3 Elongation The rotating mirror is held to the tube from the 6 66 il 18 center of ihe enal s by an 0 80 setscrew and must be aligned so that the beam from the mirror to the dome is parallel to the line of sight rod within the analog dust cover Note that in the case of the two inferlor planets the mirror points away from the center of the analog Those for the superior planets point toward the center To check this alignment turn on the coordinates and the sidna By switches and or planet setting knobs va each analog until both garth and planet indicators are at 90 or 270 on the dial de pending upon which location is more easily read on the inner dial i The following tabulation shows at what right ascention R A the projected planet should appear when its indicators are at the given heliocentric longitude H L PLANET H L R A Mercury 270 6 Venus 90 18 Mars 90
30. bits gre possible if each lamp is carefully centered before any other adjustments are made First be sure that the wire filament support within the lamp s glass envejope is positioned away from the front of the pro jector barrei Inspection of the lamp will show that this wire filament support is either adjacent to or 180 from the notch in the lamp seating flange Observation of the object lens in Bee Ge the outer end of the projector barrel will show the shape of the filament image and whether or not it is weil centered Kaa The lamp should be rotated so that the filament is neither transverse to nor parellel to the optical axis A narrow U or V shape is best and affords maximum brilliance without being too large to say on the mirrors i If the center of the filament image on the lens is a proper shape but off center bend the lamp seating flange Bending it upward along its entire perimeter seats it deeper in its socket and lifts the image on the object lens Bending one side of the flange up or down cocks it fo one side and moves the image left or right on the lens The foregoing discussion of lamp orientation applies equally to the moon or any other projector using a PR 12 lamp and where brilliance and accuracy of projected position are im portant e Adjusting the Coordinates The projector drum is slipped carefully onto the shaft which protrudes from the bottom of the ecliptic
31. bles fo connect the controls to power sources and then on to the projector instrument operating mechanisms As this section is completely installed and inspected at the time of the installation of the planetarium by Spitz men and needs no further handling we will leave the des cription and function of this section to the manual division on MAINTENANCE IN STRUCTIONS The planetarium operator need not concern himself with this section unless a malfunction occurs See Maintenance Section B The Vertical Control Panel This panel is divided into three rows of controls and a row of fuses Each control TAMEL e 6 66 is labelled and the labels are backlighted for easy identification in the dark ra A i 1 The Top Row of Controls from left to right a DAILY MOTION SWITCH This is a reversible continuous action switch which increcses daily motion rotation of the projector instrument around the daily motion axis from a barely perceptible motion to a rate of one rotation per minute The switch know is turned clockwise for forward rotation and counter clockwise for reverse rotation The high er speeds are provided for quick setting of the instrument b ANNUAL MOTION SWITCH This too is a reversible continuous action switch which when turned clockwise increases the forward annual motion of the sun moon and planets from approximately one year in five minutes to one year in one minute Counter clockwise turning of the knob re
32. circuitry to the phasing motor is broken and no phasing will result under any circumstances In the central or upright mode the moon phases automatically de synchronization with the balance of the annual motion system In the righthand position the switch drives only the phasing motor In the central or automatic pos ition the DC braking veli a is applied to one motor winding whenever the annual motion switch is off After phasing the moon manually turning back to the second position thus stops the phasing drive instantly If the switch is returned rapidly from position three to one there will be no braking and the drive will coast slowly to a stop The final steps in setting the moon are first phase it manually third or full right switch position to first or third quarter and observe the alignment of the moon s terminator with relation to the projected ecliptic It must be perpendicular to the ecliptic and the lower right quadrant must be the brightest Driving the dove prism switch Moon Rotation on the instrument will ro H27 6 66 Kol e 6 66 tate the moon to meet these conditions The last step is to ob serve the moon s position with respect to the sun and use the manual phasing switch to bring it to the correct phase Setting the Planets Refer to the Ephemeris and complete the setting tabulation with the following data a Earth Setting From the table beginning on page 18 record the sun s longi
33. dots should fall within an area of about 1 4 diameter If the upper adjustable mirror needs correcting slightly loosen the lock nuts and turn the jacking screws as required to make the two image circles on the paper coincide as nearly as possible Remove the test paper and the projected moon will rotate in place on the dome when the dove is rotated Latitude Adjustment During the course of its revolutiens around the earth the moon passes 5 above and below the ecliptic because of the inclination of its orbit to the plane of the ecliptic Within the plastic dust cover of the moon analog is a brass bar which passes through a ball held in place by an 0 80 Allen setscrew through a brass collar A small dial identical to those in the planet analogs surrounds a wedge A line between 0 and 180 on this wedge is midway between the high point at 270 and the low point at Il 18 6 66 6 66 90 As the wedge rotates in annual motion drive when 0 or 180 passes under the ball no latitude is transmitted to the ro tating mirror through Ha tad andejuba linkage and the projected moon should be at a node or on the ecliptic At 270 it should be 5 above and at 909 it should be 59 below This check is best made where the ecliptic is normal to the meridian or at one of the solis and the divisions of the meridian can be used for reference f the moon does not make an excursion of 10 drive the moon analog by switch or manually un
34. ector image when you return to your home latitude The bulb fits upside down in the projecting receptacle It is held in place by the aluminum cap which completes the circuit to the base of the bulb These projectors plug into labelled receptacles in the top of the pedestal Note that on all Jones two pronged plugs wnich connect the various projectors into the two rows of sockets on the instrument base the wider lug is the ground side and is located toward the outside edge of the base plate The pole projector is mounted on the extension of the latitude motion axis shaft two receptacle bracket is mounted on the outer end of the shaft extension to provide circuits to the geocentric earth projector as well as the pole projector The adjustable universal mounting permits placing the pole projector image at the Celestial North Pole by running the instrument in daily motion observing Polaris and placing the pole spot f 6 66 MAN l 10 a Q ay S BAL A a PI 2 at the center of Polaris circle 6 The Geocentric Earth Projector The geocentric earth projector is the plastic sphere on which the continents of the earth are painted mounted with the pole projector on the extension of the latitude motion shaft it plugs into the other receptacle mounted on the outer end of the shaft extension The bulb assembly is a tube The cable emerges from the lower end and the lamp fits against a contact in the
35. er s line of sight from the earth to a planet at any time for which the analog has been set up The il 23 6 66 6 66 tube and rod assembly transmit this line and orbital inclination to the rotating mirror which in turn reflects each planet s beam of light from the projector onto the dome d The individual impulse switches for the analogs impart full speed forward annual motion to the entire analog mechanism so that earth and planet indicators move forward on the dials For the superior planets the accompanying knurled knobs drive only the planet portion of the system and the earth indicator remains stationary This is also true for many instruments with respect to the inferior analogs but a recent development utilizes a switch and motor drive for the planet as well The operator can thus bring either earth or planet indicator to any setting but in the superior anciogs he fus first set the earth by switch then the planet by hand Noding the superior planets is somewhat easier so it is best ta adjust these first Drive the Saturn analog arm pointer earth to 113 or 293 on the dial At these points the arm lies across the wedge so that the projected planet should be on the ecliptic zero latitude Turn the planet knob to bring the projected plan et to the four positions along the projected ecliptic which are at the ends of the parallel and transverse axes when the beam from the rotating mirror is parallel and transve
36. ese screws pass through the base of the sphere surrounding the pre cessional axis Three screws pass through clearance holes in the sphere T e base and into tapped holes in the yoke s flange The three ether screws i a0 kk enter through tapped holas in ihe sphere s base and lock against the i ii b yoke flange The combination of jacking and locking facilitate center ES ing of the lamp filament within the star sphere Sea Section Il for ad justments 2 The A 3 P Light Source The A 3 P light source is an incandescent ps a lamp GE 1637 with a prefocused fi lament and twist lock base Be fore replacing a GE 1637 lamp it is best to deaden the reflectivity of the lamp base with flat black paint or with ink from a felt tipped mark al Fi ing pen l a 3 The A 3 P Prime Sky Light Source The Prime Sky light source is an arc lamp of great brilliance which produces exceptionally small and gt brilliant projected star images The light source cup assembly is the fi AL same size as the cup of the standard A 3 P As polarity is a prime factor in proper lamp performance the light source b S mounting pins at the ends of the yoke are different One is a straight ping c ihe other is terminated with a collar mating slots in the light source cup me assure that the polarity cannot be reversed The slot on the positive side of the cup is covered so that it cannot receive the negative yore pin with
37. ge were used At that time the coordinates and ecliptic had not been adjusted and the lamp could not be adjusted up and down along the precessional axis so that the stars would project onto the dome at their pro per declinations With the coordinates adjusted to the properly aligned eclip tic drive daily motion until 5 or 6 hours right ascension is at the meridian in the south and the instrument is at your home latitude Mintaka or Delta Orionis the northwesternmost of the three stars of Orion s belt should be one half degree south of the equator Precession must be set for the present epoch so that this star is at 5 1 2 hours R A if Mintaka is not at its proper declin ation the three locking serews for the star lamp assembly should be equally loosened and the three jacking screws equally adjusted in or out so that the lamp is raised or lowered along the sphere s precessional axis and the project ed stars will be lowered or raised on the dome to their proper declination As in adjusting the Polaris circle this procedure should be followed when the sphere moun ting Hola is horizontal The instrument is always brought back to nome latitude to check results To assure equal turning of the three jacking screws it is best to mark ene side of each hex head with a marking pen so that the turns may be counted The three screws which have the lock nuts are the jacking screws After final adjustment tighten the three locking screws and the three lock
38. he ecliptic cutoff except for depth is identical with that in the coordinates drum The latter is easily removed by loosening the three thumbscrews on the bottom of the drum and the spring loaded jack screw ar rangement will be easily observed IS F886 6 66 i i If the wire filament holder within the PR 12 lamp should cast a shadow on a critical portion of the ecliptic rotate the lamp holder carefully without E ajietifia its vertical position until the narrow shadow falis on a non critical area In or out movement of the lamp will alter the position of the projected ecliptic d Sun Adjustment On the moving mirror assembly for the sun there is a small slotted or Allen screw which tilts the mirror clockwise northward to correct its latitude to coincide with the ecliptic This screw is onthe right side when facing the mirror and is reached by inserting a screw driver or Allen wrench through the cage and pushing the horizon cutoff shade gently aside This latitude adjustment is made at any time but must be finally checked after the sun s path has been brought parallel above or below to the preraligned ecliptic l e Aligning the sun s path is affected by the three screws under the mirror at tached to the optical projector A little practice with a more accessible a E planet projector mirror will demonstrate the affects accomplished by each x screw Several cardinal principles will facilitate adjustment
39. he forward position results in maximum brilliance and maximum image size along the optical system If the image is so large that it cannot be maintained on all mirrors when the rotation and or right ascension switches are actuated and after all other final adjustments are made it may be necessary to sacrifice some brilliance by sliding the condenser lenses slightly toward the rear of the projector il 11 Y gaat 6 66 The motor and gear box on the inner central portion of the pro jector barrel are the moon s phasing mechanism The synchronous drive passes vanes across the beam from the lamp Near the front of the barrel is another screw and slot which per mits sliding an internal cylinder holding the transparency which imparts the moon s features Loosening and sliding this screw will result in optimum focus At the far right end of the projector barrel and within a metallic dust cover is an adjustable mirror to reflect the image downward Protruding through this cover are three jacking screws and lock nuts for adjustment The beam passing downward from this mirror through the dove prism must be centered lest it pass off one side of the prism and or describe a circle instead of a rotating spot on the first mirror on the ecliptic plate below as the dome prism ro tates If the center section cover is removed any or all of the three prong plugs may be disconnected so that the motors they control will be free of all driving
40. he moon R A drive plug dis connected If at all four points the moon is on the ecliptic wedge always zeroed it is said to be noded and when tt moves through annual motion the moon will consistently cross the ecliptic as the 0 and 180 wedge points cross the pointer If at all four points at the ends of the parallel and transverse axes the projected moon is equally above or below the ecliptic cor recting the latitude adjustment is all that is required For the moon and planets the latitude adjustment is identical The central post of the analog terminates about 1 4 below the plastic dust cover This post is tapped to receive the brass stem and small knurled knob fixed on the top of the tube which supports the ro tating mirror assembly on its lower end An 0 80 slotted brass setscrew in the post holds this stem in place Loosening the set screw permits turning the knurled knob further into or out of the post This action moves the tube vertically over its stationary internal rod and tilts the rotating mirror Raising the tube toward the analog moves the projected image northward on the sky and vice versa The seiscrew is always gently tightened after latitude correction Tightening against the stem threads may slightly dis locate the image vertically so that more than one attempt may be necessary In the case of the planets torque applied to the stem tube set screw and post assembly is transmitted to the line of
41. heliocentric longitude for the earth and planet wil result in successively project ing the planet to the ends of these axes Each time the earth Js driven by motor the planet indicator fon the rotating arm must be brought manually to the nodal helio centric longitude as indicated by the dots or scribed lines on the sides of the wedge 48 or 228 for Mercury and 76 of 256 for Venus Deviations above or below the ecliptic are recorded and corrected as outlined in the text for analogs which are driven by dual motor drive 6 66 l Il 32 oa SECTION II OPERATOR S CONSOLE DESCRIPTION AND OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS A General Description The operator s console is divided into two main functional divisions 1 The Operator s Control Panels Two The vertical panel actually it is slightly slanted away from the operator for convenience and the horizontal panel ll knobs turn clockwise to the Full On position All step switches turn clock wise for forward or normal motion and counter clockwise for reverse motion All lever type switches throw forward or upw rd for on and where double throw to the rear for a reverse action This unifomity greativ accelerates the process of learning to know the instrument controls 2 The Electronic Component Section This second functional division is enclosed within the operator s console It includes not only the electronic components but all the necessary terminal strips a ga
42. ieee Ag RAN Ai Shes Peres trary per Ges A y oe EU GAL ON is TS e at EE Me a nie IESE p io E EEEN Rel ede evo RE dios a feet EE Sas Pe eh eagle yea EN ou sa tt oz si Ba PRA OS gt CEA AREA U sibt Si dir Sn ATA ER Si URSE 4 Ey yee Gat fast pen ba ie i ays A ta A e B s A ANA er eM Pa ra hy Pes Y S e E ti area a KA ET al ee y A RES O ota Ea a PUREE RS BLE ed AVIA a ae PSE tn MELE da AT ENR AC PRS ME E OS 4 lyst ronan Bie EG es aa beat has OPERATOR S MANUAL SERIES ASP PLANETARIUM TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ee C SECTION DESCRIPTION OF PLANETARIUM EQUIPMENT seta SECTION l INSTRUMENT ADJUSTMENTS AND PREPARATION FOR OPERATION Le Il 1 SECTION III OPERATOR S CONSOLE DESCRIPTION AND OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS Ill 1 SECTION IV da ee MAINTENANCE z Vel a 6 66 A How to Use this Manual INTRODUCTION Instrument Designation This manual covers the description operation and maintenance of SPITZ LABORATORIES INC Model A 3 P and A 3 P Prime Sky Planetariums A 3 means that this is the third major revision of the Spitz Laboratories Inc Model limited size planetarium the P indicates that this instrument is equipped with auto matic planetarv motion The A 3 P Prime Sky Planetarium produces extraordinarily brilliant star images through the use of a special PRIME light source This model planetarium is designed
43. ily motion axis on the latitude axis Check the belt and the set screws in the drive mechanism Lubricate the drive gears d If jerky daily motion persists replace the drive belt 7 Daily Motion or Latitude Motion Drives Fail to Provide Speed Changes a Check daily or latitude control switches for burned out contacts Replace b Check the drive motors for worn out brushes Replace or replace motor c If the switch and motors are in good shape and the DM LM chassis has blown a fuse and continues to blow fuses when replaced order a re placement chassis from Spitz C ORDERING REPLACEMENT PARTS OR UNITS FROM SPITZ Address Spit taboratortes tre 7 Telephone Area Code 302 239 5212 Telegraph As above Call telegraph or write Spitz Laboratories Inc to request a replacement part or unit Give a complete description of the unit name location and use and describe the trouble as completely as possible State the urgency with which you need the re placement this determines the method of shipment to you At the same time carefully pack the part or unit from your instrument and send it to Spitz Laboratories so that you can receive credit on the exchange IV 9 6 66 SPITZ SPACE SYSTEMS INC U S ROUTE 1 CHADDS FORD PENNSYLVANIA 19317 U S A 215 459 5200 TELEX TWX 710 760 0100 SPITZSPACE XENON ARC LAMP WARRANTY The Xenon Arc Lamp is guaranteed for 30 days from date of shipment against defects in
44. image brightness is reduced when image projector lenses and analog projection mirrors are covered with dust or film The small soft water color brush previously mentioned is ideal for clean ing these lenses and mirrors The mirrors are front surfaced and even though overcoated should be cleaned with lens cleaning tissues or soft brushes to prevent scratching the surfaces Water or alcohol or a mixture of the two are effective cleansing agents Pedestal and Control Console The broad wood plastic and painted surfaces of these components should frequently be dusted A damp cloth wet with water and a mild soap solution will remove fingerprints and film when necessary Wood surfaces will benefit from a periodic waxing with paste wax Care should be taken to keep water and other cleaning agents from entering the receptacles and other devices mounted on the pedestal and console 3 Lubrication In general a minimum of lubrication is required and lubrication except in the few places listed is to be avoided a 6 66 Mechanical Horizon Cutoffs These shield like devices cut off the projection be ew the horizon by the sun moon and planet analog mirrors They depend upon a free swinging motion to perform properly Once a week the horizon cutoff bearing around the analog shaft should be dusted and blown clean Once a month after the clean ing operation a small drop of lightweight machine oil should be placed on the beari
45. inclination of this horizon cutoff can be adjusted by turning in or out three spring loaded jacking screws The large heads of these adjusting screws are found on the bot tom of the projector The coordinates projector Only the height the transparency and the mounting arrangement of the corrdinates projector differ from the ecliptic projector The raising and lowering of the projected image and the adjusting of the hotizon cutoff are accomp lished in the same way in both projectors The inclination of the celestial equator to the ecliptic is provided by the angle of the mounting shaft for the coordinates projector located on the base of the ecliptic projector The projector is stabilized by a bracket on the top surface opposite the mount ing shaft socket Spring loaded screws at either end of this bracket allow a slight ad justment in the inclination of the projected coordinate image The bracket is secured to a tub from the ecliptic projector by a knurled screw 5 The Zenith Latitude and Pole Projectors The zenith and latitude projectors differ only in their mounting positions on the posts located around the top of the pedestal The latitude projector is aimed at the Celes tial North Pole point for your latitude on the meridian It assists in bringing the stars back to the proper position for your latitude whenever a latitude motion change has been made The pole projector image is superimposed over the latitude proj
46. ing position are of different lengths It may be more convenient for you to replace the whole analog 5 Moon Image will not Remain Properly Aligned with the Ecliptic A line drawn between the poles of the moon sheuld remain nearly perpendicular to the ecliptic If it does not the fault lies with the dove prism mechanisms Possible Causes and Remedies a b The bearing around the dove prism tube is dirty or not properly lubricated causing too much of a drag on the dove prism drive motor Clean and fubricate or replace the mechanism If the bearing moves freelv the fault is with the drive motor Re place the motor 6 Slippage or Jerky Motion in Daily or Latitude Motions On recent instruments be sure that the daily motion tie in switch en the side of the DM LM chassis is in the out position before checking daily motion a 6 66 Open the pedestal door and watch the motor for the drive in ques tion to see if it is performing smoothly If nat check the brushes and replace if badly worn or if necessary replace the mofer Next check to see that all the setscrews Tn the linkage between the motor and gear train are tight This is the most frequent cause ef iV 8 slippage Then check the setscrews in the gears ef the gear trains at the ends of he latitude axis c Fordaily motion if these efforts do not correct the slippage re move the cover from the daily motion drive box surrounding the da
47. is circuit provides 6 voli supply to the satellite geocentric earth and twilignt projectors PLANETS 3 ampere fuse 1 i is l 1 5 AUX 2 6 1 4 ampere fuse This circuit supplies 6 volt supply to the coordinates ecliptic astro nomical triangle and the cardinal points projectors 6 AUX 3 6 1 4 ampere fuse This circuit provides 115 volt supplv to the moon phasing precessional motion and satellite motors 7 MAIN 10 ampere fuse This circuit provides elec trical supply to the entire instrument except the clock c Key Switch This key operated switch provides 115 volt supply to the entire instrument except to the cove lights and the clock The Horizontal Control Panel This panel is separated into two side panels by the red transparent reading light panel The most obvious feature of each side panel is the large circular knob of the cove lighting control Cove Light Controls Yellow and Blue The control knobs operate the large capacity variable transformers mounted on ine platforms under the horizontal panels The left control knob is labelled YELLOW and controls the straw colored lumiline lamps in the cove The right control knob is labelled BLUE and controls the moonlight blue lamps in the cove Pointer The gun like pointer projects the arrow which is an essential means of com munication between the operator and audience The pointer plugs into a receptacle in the upper right surf
48. ith respect te the ecliptic And the projected images are ob served at four places along the ecliptic at the ends of the parallel and transverse axes Again a simple tabulation of the image positions will prove help ful to determine the quantity and direction of correction required t i at the end of esen axis The image is brought to a series of four iti eaually ar below the eclipti d if re positions on or equally above or below the ecliptic and if re quired latitude correction is made as described in the discussion of noding the moor The ee mirrors on the projectors are identical ta thet on the sun and are adjusted in the same man ner The hellacentric longitude for the ascending nodes for the planets Ww are given in the Epheme ris page 176 and are printed on the band which surrounds the top of the cuge sestion of the instrument ad jacent to the switches which control Hie planet in question The descending node is 1809 away and may pe used where it is more convenient and accurate to do so More accurate settings are ossible when usino the inner dial and when the apprpriate indi p g pprp cators are toward the outside of the instrument il 21 6 66 a By k mi e 6 66 The ascending and descending nodal positions on the wedges are indicated at the appropriate heliocentric longitude values by scribed lines or by small dots on the sides of the wedges Because it is the wedge which defines the
49. l epoch and at home latitude Polaris does not describe a circle of 2 diameter on the dome use the meridian and or hand sextant for measurement it is necessary to adjust the position of the star light cup See Section l A b for a description of the yoke s mounting by jacking and locking screws Run daily motion until the size of Polaris circle and the position of its center Celestial North Pole are established Drive latitude and daily motions until the star sphere s flange is horizontal 6 66 Il 2 Slightly loosen the three nuts on the jacking screws and back off the screws Move the locking screws in or out single or in combination as l required to tilt the internal star voke flange so that the lamp cup moves within the sphere in the direction required to bring Polaris to a point one degree from the pole Tighten all six screws and lock nuts and re turn the instrument to home latitude Run daily motion to check the size of Polaris circle This procedure may require repetition to achieve a close adjustment In checking the Polaris circle it is best to use dome seams or the meridian as points of reference After the Polaris circle has been established the pole projector may be adjusted to locate its spot in the center of this circle Again this adjustment is made at home latitude When the Polaris adjustment is made it is also established that the cel estial north pole is true north for the instrument If this point does not
50. liptic above the horizon Actuate the sun switch on the instrument or the annual motion switch on the console until the sun resets on that date The first of each month is marked by a line Other dates will be esti mated with reference to these lines or all elements can be set for the first of a monty and then the entire system driven in annual motion to any other selected date Bear in mind tnat all annual motion motors are tied together electrically so that wnen the annual motion switch is used all elements are driven simultaneously to their proper places in the sky This means that once one element sun il 25 6 66 6 66 The Moon and or forward in time determine whether the latitude is in moon or any planet has been set for a date all others must be set by individual switch and or manual knob The Ephemeris For subsequent setting of the mcon and planets it will first be necessary to refer to the Ephemeris or similar source and it is adviscble to use a tabulation similar to the one sent with the instrument For many years the Ephemeris page numbers have remained practically unchanged and are given for quick ref erence A current copy is supplied with each instrument Be cause the supply is often exhausted early it is suggested that copies for subsequent years be orde ed from the printer several months in advance j Beginning on Ephemeris page 68 is a table which gives the ap parent right ascension for the mo
51. log plasticudust cover The longitude degrees on these dials read in reverse from the nomal chart direction because we are observing the analogs from below the solar system The main plate s heliocentric longitude is read from the plate indicator located at the edge of the plate next to the dial On the outer dial a brass pointer mounted 180 from the main plate indicator transfers the reading to the outer dial On inferior pienet analogs earth longitudes hi UY are read from the indication of this point on the dial on superior plan et analogs planet longitudes are read by this indicator Cc The wedge plate is located within the heliocentric dial It provides the inclination of the planets orbits fo the ecliptic d A moving arm rides on a bearing on the wedge plate At the bottom edge of one end of this arm is a pointer to indicate heliocentric longi tudes on the dial This reading is transferred to the outer dial by an aluminum post with a scribed mark to indicate the exact degree reading On inferior planet analags this arm pointer indicates planet longitudes _on superior planet analogs earth longitudes are read from the position of this arm pointer over the dial At the other end of the arm is a magnet which seats the ball on the line of sight rod As the arm rotates the ball and rod move with the arm l simulating the line of sight which exists at any moment between the ab server on earth and
52. ment must be located under the zenith of the dome Because of the difficulty of plumbing down from this point it is best to plumb to the floor from the horizon at the four major compass points Lines gt run from north to south and east to west cross at the dome s center This point is marked and the positions of the lines within about 18 of the center are marked on the floor or on tapes laid on the floor The hexagonal pedestal is positioned at the center with two points on N S lines The centers of two flat sides will lie E W The pedestal will be bolted to the floor through oversized holes in the interior base so that fine adjustments in orientation can be made if required after observations are made of the celestial north pole If the planetarium projection dome has seams it is best to select one of these for North The projected meridian will then coincide with this seam at least in the north and it provides a convenient reference point In Spitz 24 domes there are 20 panels around the spring line and there are seams at N E S W In Spitz 30 domes there are 25 panels and south will lie midway between seams In the 40 dome there are 36 panels and as in the case of the 24 size hereda a convenient seam at each cardinal point 2 Instrument Settings In the A 3 P and A 3 P Prime Sky planetariums the earth is the basic refer ence point in space and all celestial objects are projected as they would be seen from il 1
53. ng IV 2 4 Bulb Daily Motion and Latitude Motion Gear Trains These gears are located at the ends of the latitude axis under easily removed covers Every six months they should be inspected and a good grade of light grease added when necessary Daily Motion Belt Drives This mechanism is enclosed in a rectangular housing at the center of the latitude axis The cover is labelled REMOVE COVER TO LUBRICATE Once a year inspect the belt for wear and replace if necessary Then lubricate the gear train with a lightweight greast Replacement A 3 P Prime Sky Light Source Replacement The light source cup assembly is completely removed by lifting the hook like hangers at the top of the cup from the pins at the nds of the yoke which supports the cup in the center of the star sphere Ace cess to the light source Is through the round door in the star sphere Temporarily replace the Prime Sky light source with the incandescent spare light furnished with the instrument Telephone telegraph or write Spitz Laboratories for a replacement When installing the replacement Prime Sky light source cup match up to the color code red mark on the cup with the red wire or red painted yoke arm to maintain polarity The red coded plus side of the light source cup hanger will not fit over the collar on the negative yoke arm A 3 P Incandescent Star Bulb Replacement Remove the bulb cup from the yoke arm pins by lifting and
54. nsists of a cylindrical projector drum with the bulb and horizon cutoff mechanisms mounted on the inside surface of the base The ecliptic line is imprinted on the film which forms the wall of the cyl inder The ecliptic is dated to show the position of the sun at any time of the year The projected image is raised or lowered by moving the bulb assembly out and in of the cylindrical socket at the bottom center of the projector It is secured in the desired position by the large headed setscrew The bulb tube is pulled all the way out to replace the bulb The bulb fits into the end of the cylindrical bulb as sembly and is held in place by a collar like screw cap e wa The ecliptic projector is mounted to the ecliptic plate by three jacking screws in three standoff posts They serve as adjusting screws to adjust the IET of the ecliptic so that it aligns correctly with the projection dome These screw heads are spring loaded to prowide a two way adjustment motion The screw heads are located in recessed holes in the plastic collar found around the base of the wage where it at attaches to the bottom plate A short cord and plug provide current to the ecliptic projector Another cord and plug complete the circuit to the coordinates procera mounes below the ecliptic projector The bulb inside the projector is surrounded by a cylindrical liquid level The dark liquid cuts off light aroladted below the level of the planetarium chamber horizon The
55. nuts so that the lamp assembly flange within the sphere is held securelv in place g Adjusting the Moon Projector 1 The Projected Image The moon projector involves an optical train which is more com 6 66 Il 10 plex than that of any other unit of the instrument and an und erstanding of the entire system should precede any attempt at adjustment The PR 12 lamp should first be positioned in its socket by rotating it and or bending its flange so that its filament image is well centered in the optical axis and it appears as a narrow U or V in shape To check this filament orientation place a paper on the first 45 mirror located at the bottom of the cage on the ecliptic plate Advance the moon lamp rheostat at the console and run the moon phasing motor by console switch until the image is full Moving the paper upward will improve the focus of the filament image The first switch to the tight of the moon projector atop the center section controls the dove prism drive This causes the moon s image to rotate and will be used in subsequent adjustments The next switch to the right drives the moon s rotation mirror and will be used to bring the moon to any right ascension on the dome for subsequent checks On the outer side of the projector barrel about 2 ahead of the lamp socket is a slotted screw head in a horizontal slot Loosen ing this screw permits sliding the internal condenser lens system for optimum adjustment T
56. of phase while the moon remains in the same right ascension position most useful for a dis cussion in which the phases are named and for setting the moon The counterclockwise position stops the phasing disc and the moon image will remain in the same phase as annual motion proceeds h SIGNAL This is a single throw lever switch which is on in the up position of the lever Generally it rings or lights a signal so that attend ants outside the chamber can prepare to assist the audience in or out of the ar Ta l planetarium 1 i the knob clockwise increases the current flow to maximum as it reaches the end of its rotation From left to right the controls supply regulated current to these image projectors STARS SUN MOON INFERIOR PLANETS Mercury and Venus MERIDIAN COORDINATES ECLIPTIC and the three CELESTIAL TRIANGLE projectors The Bottom Row of Controls from left to right E These rheostat controls operate in the same manner as those in the row above From left to right they supply current to the following projectors TWILIGHT GEOCENTRIC EARTH SATELLITE the three SUPERIOR PLANETS Mars Jupiter l and Saturn and CARDINAL POINTS The balance of the row is made up of three single throw switches that supply unregulated current to the LATITUDE POLE and ZENITH projectors a 7 6 68 kd l y TAL oe st Oe a The Satellite control is unique in that it includes a 110V on off switch for the motor dri
57. of sight rods simulat ing the lines of sight between the earthbound ob server and the planets Fine Adjusting Projected Positions The foregoing settings may be made in full chamber illumination Referring to the tables on Ephemeris pages 178 to 217 record the Apparent Right Ascension to ine nearest minute for each planet for the chosen date Project the planets and coordinates on the darkened sky and compare the positions of the planets with the Ephemerides Some displacements may be found que to the instru meni s seule rather than elliptical orbits inaccuracy of set ting etc To fine adjust the projected planets to their correct right ascensions drive the planet portion of the analog as required taking care that this final position is always approached in the for ward direction Alternate Setting of Planets Steps b and c may be combined into one step if care is taken te understand the analog s functions and the resulting projected proper and retrograde motions on the dome Once step a has set up all earths the planets may be driven individually by hand or motor Il 29 6 65 Doy 6 66 as described above until each comes to ts correct apparent right ascension on the projected coordinates grid Attention to the Ephemerides for a few days before and after the setup date will indicate whether the planet is in proper or retrograde motion The projected planet must be moving in the correct direction when brought to posi
58. ojection Orrery This instrument projects the sun and moving images of the planets Mercury Venus Earth Mars Jupiter and Saturn The planet i images move at their relative speeds in their orbits around the sun They are color coded to aid in differentiating between them as they are discussed MM The projector hangs from any two posti around the pedestal top so it can be positioned to suit ihe desire of the lecturer i plugs into a mensa four pronged socket located on the instrument base The orrery can be operated from the console by setting the operating switch on th e orrery at the desired setting and then turning on the Projection Orrery switch on the Control Console or the console switch can be left on and the orrery operated by moving the switch on the shen unit itself This switch is marked OFF Sun Mercury Venus Earth Mars Jupiter Saturn Motion Off adt adds planet images when turned clockwise and subtracts them when reversed The usual mode of operation is to turn ali the planets on and operate it from the Operator s Console l The size of each planet s orbit can be changed by rotating the prism at the top of each projector 6 66 a Tela A f s i A gt AN a ae SECTION ll INSTRUMENT ADJUSTMENTS AND PREPARATION FOR OPERATION A ADJUSTMENTS TO BE MADE PRIOR TO SETTING THE PLANETS SUN AND MOON FORA GIVEN DATE kid 1 Pedestal Orientation The hexagonal pedestal which supports the instru
59. on for anv hour use zero hour of the date chosen The projected moon is driven by its right ascension switch to the proper right escension as related to the projected ccordinctes Beginning on page 52 is a table giving the moon s apparent latitude for the chosen date again use zero hour On the set ting tabulation record this latitude By referring backward creasing or decreasing and indicate this on the setting table Tum the knob over the moon analog to drive the wedge until the moon reaches its proper latitude Be sure to turn the wedge forward so that the divisions on the wedge dial are ascending Note that in order to eliminate gear backlash effects all ele ments are set originally in the forward direction When annual Il 26 i gt 2 ti motion is driven forward there will be no backlash in the gear trains Reverse drive will introduce varying amounts of backlash If in setting an analog the operator inadvertently overshoots a correct setting either go all the way around again if a motor driven setting or back up if a manval setting well past the setting and again approach it in the forward direction When uncertain which way to tu na knob for forward observe the direction in which the dial divisions pass the indicator After the moon is set in right ascension and latitude return to the three position moon phasing switch on the console This switch has three positions To the left all electrical
60. ours its excursion is 4 Moving screw No 1 so that me planet moves Gown 2 to 1 below at 19 hours will not affect its latitude at 1 hour and 13 hours or 909 away but will move it only parallel to the ecliptic at these points Conversely if it projects along the trans verse axis to 1 and 13 hours and is at zero and 4 respect ivelv moving screws 2 and 3 in opposite directions will bring it to 2 without affecting its latitude at 7 and 19 hours The significant result in this example is that the image now has the same latitude at ail four points and is said to move parallel to the ecliptic The latitude is now corrected to zero as discussed elsewhere Il 7 6 66 o 4 Correction of latitude is made at either end of either pro jection axis to the extent of one half the error for that axis Thus moving the image downward at one end of say the parallel axis will move it upward by the same amount at the other end Before adjusting the sun s path it is important to note that the position of the GE PR 12 lamp in the projector plays a vital role in aligning the light beam as it leaves the projector Any angular error is multiplied as the beam passes from mir ror to mirror to dome if a replacement lamp filament is ii oriented differentiv from its predecessor the projected image i will follow a different orbit and mirror readjustment may be Jia required However reproducible or
61. out again check for short in the 110 volt circuit or an overload to the instrument and repair 2 No Projected Image from an Instrument or Auxiliary Projector a Ifthe control panel fuse in the circuit in question has not burned out the bulb has probably burned out or is making a poor contact Re place bulb or clean bulb and projector contacts Be sure bulb re cepiacle collar is fastened firmly in place in the projector barrel If not twist the collar back to the position where lead in wires can not short out and glue in place with epoxy cement A short in the projector will blow the fuse If the short cannot be located and re paired return the projector to Spitz for a replacement 3 Poerly Projected Fuzzy Star Images a Reflection from bulb base Coat base with dull black paint or ink b Dust clogged star holes Clean 6 66 IV 6 wt c Humidity wrinkled color filters on bright stars Replace star lens as sembly or on older instruments replace filter only i 4 Planets or Moon Run cut of Proper Synchronization Run a synchronization test on the suspected planet or all the planets sun and moon With the electrical drives bring planets sun and moon up to the meridian driving in forward motion always With outer planets save time by bringing planets close to the meridian with knobs and finishing with ele trical drive Now drive a year forward in time with annual motion control Stop Drive a year
62. p is an assembly which is designed to insure perfect aose The GE 251 or 261 lamp i is rated for 1 000 hours of operation This long life means that de months of operation can b achieved with one bulb gs de i ii e The planet and sun images are reflected up to the analog projection mirror by 45 mirrors at the front of each image projector The mirrors are adjustable to assist in centering the projected imate on the analog mirror DA l kl The moon image projector and the moon dove prism assemblies are located at the top of the central housing The image projector is equipped with a phasing disc which provides a continuous change of moon phase as the moon s projected image moves around the planetarium sky An adjustable 45 mirror at the frontof the projector al lows centering the projected image in the dove prism in the central housing This can Ai be observed in the dove prism exit lens in the bottom plate of the central housing or l on a piece of paper taped to the 45 mirror which is on the ecliptic plate immediately A ratte as RTE a TA under the dove prism t ju E e a The dove prism rotates the moon image in synchronization with its revolution around the earth so that the moon s terminator is always perpendicular to the ecliptic 4 The Ecliptic and Coordinates Projector The ecliptic projector is mounted at the lower or southern end of the instru ment below the large bottom or ecliptic plate It co
63. port cage The mirror pivot is adjusted to place the sun s image on the ecliptic by tuming the screw on one side of the sun mirror support Turning the screw clockwise tips the mirror upward northward counter clockwise tips it downward southward The Moon Projector Analog also is simpler than the planet analogs It Se S l need only provide a 360 revolution around the earth However the wedge is required to make the projected moon image travel north and south of the ecliptic The dial around the moon wedge indicates ang ular position of the moon from ascending gd descending nodes As the pointer passes from 270 0 90 the declination decreases from 90 180 270 it increases A knurled knob above or at one side of the analog positions the moon in apparent latitude by rotating the wedge and dial f l The large dial at the edge of the moon main plate indicates the moon s heliocentric longitude The reading is made from the position of the pointer screw in the plastic dust cover over the scale The Planet Sun and Moon Image Projectors 9 E The planet and sun image projectors differ only i in the size of the projected image ae and in the color filters if any that are used Each is fastened to the underside of the bot tom plate by a single screw This allows the projector to swivel placing the projected image in the center of the rotating analog projection mirrors l e The projection lam
64. projector and the knurled thumbscrew tightened The Jones plug on the short cable is plugged into the receptacle on the bot tom of the ecliptic drum The horizontal bar on the top of the projector is fastened securely to the tang projecting from the bottom of the ecliptic ad jacent to the winter solstice The coordinates are projected onto the dome and aligned with the previously adjusted ecliptic Moving the drum up and down on the main supporting shaft adjusts along the solstitial axis until the dotted line representing the equator is 23 1 2 below and above the summer and winter solstice positions of the projected ecliptic Adjusting the two spring loaded jacking screws at either end of the horizontal baratop the drum adjusts the equator along the equinoctial axis so that it crosses the ecliptic at O and 12 hours R A If the coordinates are all too high or low to meet these conditions loosen the setscrew which holds the lamp holder at the center of the bottom of the drum Pushing the lamp assembly further into the drum will lower the co ordinates on the sky and vice versa The lamp assembly may be rotated so that the narrow shadow cast by the Il 9 6 66 PR 12 lamp s wire filament holder does not fall in a critical area f Adjusting Star Declination When the star light source was centered so that Polaris described a circle of proper size during 24 hours of daily motion the six adjusting screws protruding below the mounting flan
65. rse to the optical axis of the projector Tabulate the four latitude positions of the planet as described above in the discussion of moon noding If it is on the ecliptic at all points no correction is required If not correct by adjusting the projector mirror see sun adjustment above When all four points have the same latitude adjust the latitude to zero Procedures for Jupiter and Mars are identical 11 24 Y except that the node values are 100 2809 and 49 229 and the planets will be projected at different points along the eee because their projectors lie at different angles on the instrument As noted above the instrument may be driven in daily and or latitude motion or the latitude axis may be loosened in order to observe the ecliptic and planets well above the horizon In instruments having motorized earth drives for the inferior planets the same noding technique is used However it is the planet drive which brings the arm pointer to the node values 48 and 228 for Mercury and 76 and 2560 for Venus and the earth drive then brings the projected planets to the desired PA points along the ecliptic L For those instruments having manual inferior planet drives before noding see Addendum No 1 at the end of this section B Setting the Instrument for a Date 1 The Sun Having selected a dute for which the instrument is to be set drive daily motion to put this portion of the projected ec
66. s These are capped with acorn nuts and a pair of compression springs under flat washers which hold the lamp in its proper a vertical position so that the bottom of the projected meridian line coincides with the spring line of the dome The projector is plugged into the labelled receptacle in the top of the pedestal 8 The Astronomical Triangle Projectors The three identical astronomical triangle projectors consist of a shallow cyl inder with a shuttered slot around its perimeter The shutters cover or expose a pro jection film imprinted with a single thin line The shutter can be moved around to expose any length of line in any part of the slot The lamp mounts at the center of the projector and is accessible for replace _ ment through a port in the side of each projector The projected lines are in best focus on the dome when the lamp GE 605 filaments are oriented to be parallel with the clear lines of the transparencies If screwing a lamp fimly into its socet results in misalignment use needle nose pliers to carefully twist only the socket shell into a proper orientation The projeci n mount on any available post and are plugged into any three of the four labelled receptacles on the pedestal top The projectors can be extended a way from the pedestal top to minimize occultation of the projected line by the instru ment As each projector produces only a single line all three are needed to make the celestial triangle
67. sight rod and may disledge the steel bali from its magnetic socket It is best to use two hands when adjusting latitude With one hand hold the post while turning the setscrew or knob If the moon was not on or equally above or below the ecliptic at the four points discussed above correction is made at the 45 mir ror on the ecliptic plate immediately below the rotating mirror It is helpful to make a tabulation of the four positions estimating the number of inches or degrees of displacement from the ecliptic The letters P and T will indicate the positions at the ends of the parallel or transverse axis For example the positions of the moon might be P 4 P 8 T 5 T l The total excursions are 12 inches or degrees along the P axis and 6 along the T axis Moving the image down one half the P total at P 4 will bring it to P 2 and the same procedure will move it up 6 units to P 2 at the other end of the axis ana tne P positions are consistent Along the T axis the excursion was 6 Moving the image up 3 at T Swill move it down by the same amount at T 1 and the new positions will be consistente 2 for all four positions Using the latitude adjustment described above bring the moon up 2 units to the ecliptic at any point so long as the dial is zeroed as it was for ALL noding observations will assure that when driven in annual motion from the console or by switch at tne instru ment it will follow a consistently correct path
68. te ORS 1 E fi 3 saan i i The instrument support is a simple A frame at the east and west sides of the pedestal These supports consist of two tubes each extending upward from the pedestal qe Es Per They terminate in sockets in the bearing housings at each end of the horizontal latitude l ka Z E axis These housings and the daily and latitude motion gear trains are hidden under rec a a ON tangular covers l ka i The support tubes are as small as possible to reduce the cutoff of projected im a ages They also provide conduit space to carry electrical wires from the pedestal x c dl junctions to the projection instrument The earth motion mechanisms for latitude motion and daily motion rotation are found on the east and west edges of the pedestal Each provides drive from a motor gt i N mounted under the base plate The drive motion is transferred to the gear trains at the top hl of the A frame tubes The latitude axis shaft is turned by the gears on the east end and i ti je the daily motion shaft is driven by gears at the west end The daily motion axis is driven Sy 7 by a shaft running within the latitude axis This hidden shaft terminates in a gear and ne belt arrangement which rotates the daily motion axis 2 The Planet Projector The pianetarium projector consists of two main sections The star projector phere and precessional motion sections are located at the north end The cen
69. the observer to view the sky as it would appear from any latitude The annual motions of the planets and moon and the apparent motion of the sun are shown Projected lines provide agrid of geocentric coordinates the ecliptic and the meridian A group of auxiliary projectors simulate for example satellite twilight or a geocentric view of the earth Projected spots of light locate such key sky positions as the celestial pole zenith home latitude or the cardinal poinis 1 The Pedestal Instrument Support and Earth Motion Mechanisms The pedestal serves as a base for the projector as a housing for the junction of TNs sZnn1 ken si electrical circuits and as a housing for the daily and latitude motion drive motors lt also provides a housing and tne electrical circuitry for a remotely controlled 35 mm slide projector oa Posts around the top of the pedestal are provided for the mounting of the celes tial triangle projectors the meridian projector the twilight projector the satellite projector the zenith and latitude point projectors the meteor projector and the pro jection orrery Extra posts are for projectors the operator may add from time to time The labelled sockets for these projectors and spares for extra projectors are located in the top of the pedestal Four pairs of cardinal points projectors are mounted on the base plate jeb a As A ja T i i Sg phen Despi
70. til the brass pointer bar and ball are under the removable access door To do this manuallv dis onne i the moon plug in the center section reach in with two fingers and rotate the large SWOR gear over the analog Loosen the setscrew which holds the ball on the rod and move the ball toward or away om the rod s pivot in the center post of the analog Motion toward the pivot increases the excursion The knurled knob atop the center section directly over the analog rotates only the wedge and will be used to check its excursion with relation to the ecliptic Be sure to tighten the setscrew once the adjustment has been made Noding the Moon A Any misalignment of the moon s optical train can result in its crossing the ecliptic at times other than when the ball and pointer are aligned across the flat of the wedge or when the pointer is at 0 or 1809 First by visual inspection check the alignment of the tube be tween the analog and rotating mirror assemblv With ample il lumination in the room move around the instrument and compare this tube with the taut wires within the cage the sun tube and Il 14 the tubes for all planets This important check of all tubes can be made at this time for the planets as well as forthe moon If any correction is required loosen the screws which hold the slotted inner ends of the V shaped support brackets to the cage section and slide the brackets as required to perfect the align
71. tion and ts heliocentric longi tude will closely correspond to the values tabulated in step c Using Annual Motion With the sun moon and planets set for a date and the annual motion indicator on the console zeroed the annual motion switch on the console is used to drive the entire system forward clock wise or reverse in time to any other desired date The indicator on the console moves with the system and shows the algebraic sum of all forward and reverse movements since it was last zeroed Bear in mind that the all setting was done in the for ward direction and that when driven in reverse differing amounts of gear backlash will be imparted to the analogs and slight in accuracv may result in the projected positions This is canceled out as soon as the system is again driven forward Tie In Provision has been made to tie in the annual motion system with the daily motion drive so that as the instrument rotates through one 24 hour day pulses actuate the annual motion drive so that the sun moves one degree and the moon 14 along the ecliptic in the proper direction To use this feature it is necessary to lift the toggle switch on the front of the annual motion drive chassis to the IN position To calibrate the tie in system it is best to use the large dial on the perimeter of the moon analog plate In the plastic dust cover is a pointed indicator which is related to the dial Bring any hour circle of the
72. to be used with domes from 24 to 40 feet in diameter A f i ow i Before operating the A 3 P we recommend that the new planetarium oper ator use this manual and study the complete description of the planetarium as he ex amines each unit being described After he has bo i familie with each unit of the instrument and its function the next step is to make the preparations and adjustments for operation We highly recommend that even though this has been done at the time of installation they be reviewed again step by step as outlined in this manual to fimly fix them in mind After following the Console Description and Operation section through as he performs the operations with the planetarium we believe that the new operator will feel that its operation is quite straightforward Finally as bulbs will burn out and electronic parts can fail we suggest that reviewing the Maintenance Instructions before long periods of operation are begun will afford confidence that almost any problem can be met without difficulty or downtime SECTION 1 DESCRIPTION OF PLANETARIUM EQUIPMENT A PLANETARIUM PROJECTOR INSTRUMENT The planetarium projector projects the stars planets moon and sun onto the screen the planetarium projection dome It produces the planetarium sky motions A E which imitate the effect on the real sky of the earth s rotation revolution and pre cessional motion lt provides 360 latitude motion to enable
73. tral me housing built around the latitude and daily motion axes separates the star projector from the planet sun and moon section at the south end This planet section also care o ries the ecliptic and coordinates projectors a Be rae a General Description of the A 3 P and A 3 P Prime Sky Projectors The star projector and precessional motion section consists of a sphere ae AJ i mounted on a separate precessional axis inclined to the daily motion H axis This separate axis provides a rotation of the star sphere which imitates the slow wobbling of the earth s axis or precessional motion A pointer near the mounting ring on the star sphere indicates the s i present epoch position when the pointer is directly over the daily kiri motion axis The drive for precessional motion is produced by the 1 2 a ea motor mounted under the precessional axis bracket j e l i 7 The star sphere is pierced by hundreds of holes of various diameters rep resenting 2nd 3rd 4th and 5th magnitude stars All first magnitude and selected 2nd and 3rd magnitude stars are produced by larger holes ee ae A in which a lens system is placed to focus the larger source of light back A is erie to the proper star size The Milky Way is also projected by lens sys b sa tems in the sphere Canopus Alcor and selected southern sky stars 7 are projected through adjustable optical wedges and mirrors This L
74. tude for the selected date This datum is geo centric longitude Add or subtract 180 from this figure to derive the earth s heliocentric longitude Drive the planet analogs individually by switch un til this value is set at all earth indicators For the inferior planets this is the plate indicator for the superior planets it is the arm indicator The alter nate indicator next to the dial located on the dust cover may be used but are not as accurate as those within Planet Setting From the Ephemeris tables on pages 160 to 175 record the longitude heliocentric to the nearest degree for each planet for the date chosen Interpolation may be necessary for the superior planet data depending upon what date is selected for setup Drive the analogs individually to these values Move forward to the proper setting in all cases so that gear backlash is consistently eliminated for all analogs If the correct value is inadvertentiv passed back up Il 28 Es and come forward again or in the case of the a motor driven planet indicators go on around again to the proper setting The inferior planets are driven manually or by motor depending upon ihe model of the instrument The arm indicator rep resents the planet The three superior planets are driven manually and the plate indicator is used The five analogs are now set for a specific date with all earths and planets properly positioned about the sun and the line
75. ve and a 6V meostat for the lamp AS the knob starts its turn the Wie clicks on AS it progresses clockwise the lamp brilliance increases When turn ing the satellite off be sure to turn the knob to its full counterclockwise position 4 N N l The malfunction in the circuit should be repaired before the circuit 6 66 so that the switch clicks off a General The Row of Fuses There are seven fuse holders in the row at the bottom of the vertical panel each labelled as to the circuit the fuse protects The fuse holder caps light up when a fuse blows as a signal to the oper ator that there is a malfunction in the circuit will probably not be possible to remove the malfunction which caused E During a lecture it the fuse to blow so the operator should if possible eliminate the part of his demonstration which requires the use of the circuit in diffi culty is put into operation again See Maintenance Section The blown fuse is removed by rotating the cap 1 4 turn and pulling it If the fuse signal light is disturbing during the balance of the demonstration it can be turned off by twisting the cap and the fuse from the holder The new fuse is inserted in the cap tube and the fuse and cap locked in place by reversing the removal action b The Fuse Holders and Fuses Used Es 3 STARS 3 ampere fuse SUN AND MOON 1 ampere fuse AUX 1 6 1 4 ampere fuse Th
76. verses annual motion at the same rate DUN f a c ANNUAL MOTION INDICATOR As annual motion is performed either forward or backward in time the indicator moves one division for each year of motion The indicator needie can be manuaily positioned _by the knurled knob protruding through the face of the dial Generally the needle is set on 0 for the annual motion position to a preset date d LATITUDE MOTION This is another reversible continuous action switch The instrument may be rotated continuously about the latitude axis in either direction Take care that no auxiliary projectors on the base posts interfere e CLOCK The clock face is lighted when the panel lights are turned up lt can be quickly reset by the knurled knob protruding through the dial face This clock will continue to run even when the key switch is off f PRECESSION This switch provided forward precessional motion when Ifl 2 l 6 66 TT The Middle Row of Controls Each of these controls is a rheostat inserted in the circuit as labelled Turning the knob is turned clockwise and reverses this motion when turned counter t clockwise The center position is the off position g MOON PHASING This is a 3 position switch which controls the phasing mechanism on the moon image projector The center position pro vides automatic phasing of the moon as the projector performs annual motion The clockwise position provides a continuous change
77. xis of the spring and autumnal equinoxes Adjust daily and latitude motions until this edge is very f close to and parallel with the straight line established between the sup port rods and the summer solstice is toward south When the ecliptic pro jector is turned on its line should intersect the horizon at due east and due _west A temporary piece of dark tape on the dome at these points will as sist in a chamber sufficiently darkened to give visability to any projected lines The ecliptic projector is held to the plate by three jacking screws and ii compression springs in three standoff posts The slotted tops of the screws are reached by a narrow screwdriver through holes in the bakelite flange on the bottom of the wire cage section The posts are located at the equi noxes and summer solstice ath equinoctial axis until it cuts the dome at the east and west horizon or is equally toward the north or south If required loosen the set screw which holds the protruding lamp holder tube and adjust the lamp in or out of the drum to bring the ecliptic south or north It is now correct along the equi noctial axis To adjust the ecliptic along the axis of the solstices the meridian must first be correctly aligned so that it passes due north and south its zenith 6 66 e gt a e spot is at the zenith of the dome and the lamp is vertically oriented SO that the bottom of the line coincides with the spring line pf the SSD in

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