The Planetarium
The idea of a planetarium started as far back as 1945 when future BAS Treasurer Al Morgan created a “planetarium committee”. Another planetarium committee was also formed on April 21, 1950 (BAS Meeting #204), which included Arthur Jones, Clarence T. Jones, and Dr. Karel Hujer, the observatory director and astronomy professor at the University of Chattanooga (UC).
During the 207th meeting of the BAS on September 22, 1950, Dr. Hujer spoke about his recent visit to Alderson-Broadus College in West Virginia to inspect a relatively low-cost Spitz Planetarium (projector). His view of the system was very favorable, and it was determined that a budget of about $15,000 (~$165,000 today) would be necessary to build an addition to the observatory. Other planetarium visits by BAS members were also being conducted, such as the visit to another Spitz Planetarium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by Arthur Jones.
Minutes from the 204th BAS meeting on September 22, 1950
In a moment of inspiration, Clarence T. Jones presented an article from the 1949 Sky & Telescope magazine at the 214th BAS meeting on April 19, 1951, which showcased several Spitz projectors being used in small homemade domes. Mr. Jones announced his plan to build a 12-foot dome in the library of the observatory as a temporary model to inspire interest from the public for a proposed permanent planetarium. Within a few months, Bruce Jones (the son of Clarence T. Jones), Llewellyn Evans (an electrical engineer with the Tennessee Valley Authority and prime mover himself), and Chester Martin (a local teenager at the time) got to work on constructing the “test” dome, which was highlighted in The Chattanooga Times article dated July 12, 1951.
Bruce Jones and Llewellyn Evens building the 12-foot test dome (Image Credit: unknown photographer from Chattanooga Daily Times)
The 12-foot ribbed hemisphere of the test dome was made of wood and cardboard, and even had a silhouette of the downtown Chattanooga skyline made by Bruce Jones. There were cove lights controlled by an autotransformer, a motor, and star controls. A blower in the middle of the room brought air up from the basement to keep it cool (you can still see the location in the floor of the library today). The planetarium seated 20 people around the inside edge. The dome was then accompanied by a “Spitz-type” pinhole copper dodecahedron projector built by Clarence T. Jones at the local Warner Park Hobby Shop using whatever material was available, such as an old stand from an oscillating fan for the mount.
Conceptual plans for proposed planetarium addition (circa 1950’s and unknown source of drawing)
Based on the success of using the test dome for several years, the wheels were set in motion for the construction of a permanent planetarium addition. Thanks to an anonymous gift of $12,500 (about $130,000 today) and the O. B. Davis Construction Company (the contractor), the concept became a reality when ground was finally broken in the Fall of 1957. The Chattanooga Times presented a half-page article on November 9, 1958 for the new addition, which was officially dedicated on November 16, 1958. The first BAS meeting held within the new addition was on January 1, 1959.
BAS member Rick Buice at the controls of the planetarium projector (1960; Image Credit: unknown photographer)
The final design consisted of a 4-inch-thick plaster dome at 24 feet in diameter. The original “test” copper dodecahedron projector built by Mr. Jones was then installed with a new control console, which was built by BAS member Clarence Gearhart using a repurposed telephone switchboard. Although the original hobby shop projector was not designed for such a large dome (only 12 feet) and built for temporary usage as proof of concept, it nevertheless took center stage for planetarium shows until 2019. The planetarium now houses a modern digital projector made by Digitalis Education Solutions, Inc.
Chattanooga Daily Times article (November 9, 1958)
Unfortunately, Clarence T. Jones passed away (July 30, 1951) before the completion of the planetarium. His passion and inspiration, however, guided the construction and completion of the historic observatory that now bears his name, which is still being used for science and astronomy education for the Chattanooga community.
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“I would prefer to stay up and watch the stars than sleep” - Vera Rubin
Image Credit: BAS Member David Brandt