Pictorial History of the ASD Planetarium

	Dieruff High School and the Planetarium in the spring of 1965... The newly constructed, cylindrical dome was conspicuous against the barren landscape, now dominated by 40 foot Poplars. The courtyard area, where this photo was taken, is currently wooded. Trees would hide the scene that you are currently viewing.
The ASD Planetarium was showcased in the spring of 1965 during America's race for the moon. The theater quickly became popular for groups wanting to discover more about space exploration and astronomy. Three decades later, the Planetarium continues to remain a popular learning destination, presenting annually, over 50 evening programs to community groups and organizations throughout the Lehigh Valley.
	The ASD Planetarium is shown before 1970 when the brick walls represented the exterior of the building. Offices and classrooms were added along the north and west walls of the Planetarium in the early 1970’s.
The East Branch of the Allentown Public Library (now classrooms) and other classrooms were also attached to the Planetarium structure at the same time. The doorway closest to the corner in the photograph is currently the primary entranceway into the Planetarium.
	Astronomy is a very visual science and publicizing astronomical events has always played an important role in the Planetarium's outreach programs. The Planetarium has helped to organize public expeditions to view four solar eclipses (1991, 1994, 1998, 1999) and Halley's Comet (1986). The StarWatch articles which appear daily in the Morning Call in the weather section, as well as the monthly StarWatch star charts booklets continue the tradition. Morning Call photo...
Curiosity about astronomy as an elementary student blossomed into a hobby as a teenager for Gary A. Becker, Director of the ASD Planetarium. Because money was scarce, most skywatching was made without any optical aid. Another hobby, photography, blended nicely into the observation and photographic recording of meteors. Membership in the Lehigh Valley Amateur Astronomical Society provided the dark sites, friendships, and opportunities which fostered a career in astronomy education.
	Probably the most successful Morning Call article to highlight the Planetarium dealt with the Star of Bethlehem. Entitled, "Star of Wonder," the Dec. 22, 1987 article explained the astronomical connection which led many scholars to believe that Christ was born in the spring of 6 BC. Morning Call photograph by Don Fisher.
Morning Call photographer Alan Jacobson created this publicity shot to highlight a public program about Einstein presented at the Planetarium in May 1981. Jacobson used a double exposure to create his image: first strobing the projector and Becker at 1/15 sec, then, with room lights off, recording images of Einstein and the stars for 100 seconds. The photo was colorized in 1996 by A. R. Jones.
	The Space Place of the Allentown School District was one of the first facilities of its kind in southeastern Pennsylvania. The star theater originally cost $29,973 back in 1963 when the contract to construct the A.S.D. Planetarium was signed with Spitz, Inc. Today alone, the replacement value of the star projector would cost the Allentown School District $260,000.
The instrument consoles to operate the star projector, and other special effects projectors are seen here. There have been extensive modifications to all components of the system since their installation in 1964. Most noticeably is the smaller unit to the left which was redesigned in 1989 at cost by George H. Maurer of Coopersburg, PA. The latest in computer controlled audio technology is utilized to customize music and sound effects during programming thanks to Sports Sounds.
	The 24-foot dome onto which the stars and other objects are projected is worth $50,000. It is constructed of perforated aluminum and can support about 125 pounds of weight at any location. A catwalk surrounds the upper portion of the dome allowing for the placement of the sound speakers. The Planetarium has a new Dolby Pro-Logic system which can really be cranked up to produce awesome audio effects. This photo was taken before the refurbishment.
Since the Planetarium was founded in 1965, elementary classes have received an orientation prior to their planetarium experience. This pre-lesson sets the stage for the program, making it more meaningful for the children, as well as the teacher. Mrs. Sandra Stanton's third grade Jackson Elementary class had just received their orientation on the moon when this photo was snapped. The planetarium lesson follows in about one month.
	Allen astronomy students pose (12-22-1999) for a picture after being interviewed by Rosa Salter of the Morning Call for an article about their hopes and fears for the next centruy. L to R: Erik M. Emery, Paul Kantzaridis, Luis Collazo, Brandon J. Velivis, Rachel M. Harmony, Stephanie C. Mankos, Gary A. Becker (instructor), Samuel A. Hopkins, Dereck O. Rivera, Christian N. Wenner, Kevin E. Guldeman, and James A. Hoffman II. Photo by Michael Stump.
A Japanese delegation of educators visited Dieruff High School and the ASD Planetarium on October 19, 2000. The purpose of their journey was to gather information about how American high schools function internally and within the communities in which they serve. Far left, is Jon Csensits of Dieruff's Health and Environmental Studies Academy. The "Lady in Red" is LED Principal, Rosalee Sabo. Composite photo by Gary A. Becker...

The projection equipment for the A.S.D. Planetarium was installed during the summer and fall of 1964. Experimental classes were held during the spring of 1964, and the Planetarium was in full operation by September of 1965. Unlike most local planetariums, which have scaled back their operations during these fiscally stressful times, the Allentown facility has remained vibrant, continuing to provide quality astronomy education to its District pupils and the greater community of the Lehigh Valley. Currently, all operating expenses, except for the Director's salary and fringe benefits, are raised through student admission fees, inservice training, the Planetarium’s community outreach program, public donations, and grants. This innovative approach to financing has helped to make a positive contribution in relieving the tax burden for our local community, and it has allowed the Allentown School District facility to remain in operation, while other planetariums have been forced to close.

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©1996-2008 Gary A. Becker   •   All photographs/diagrams, except where noted, are copyright Gary A. Becker