Photograph Album -
The Carnegie Science Center

The newest museum to bear the Carnegie name, The Carnegie Science Center, opened to the public on October 5, 1991. It is the successor to The Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science which opened as this country's fifth major planetarium on October 24, 1939. The Carnegie Science Center is located on Pittsburgh's North Shore just west and across Allegheny Avenue from Heniz Field, the new home of the National Football League[NFL] Pittsburgh Steelers professsional football team and the University of Pittsburgh's college football team, the Pitt Panthers; The Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science building is located one mile to the northeast, in Allegheny Center.

The Carnegie Science Center includes a new Henry Buhl, Jr. Planetarium* Observatory*/Buhl Digital Dome, Rangos Omnimax Theater, Miniature Railroad and Village*, one million-volt Oudin-type Tesla Coil*, Computer Lab*, and, some years ago, a WPXI-TV 11 Weather Center*, as well as a World War II diesel-electric submarine, the U.S.S. Requin(SS-481)*, moored in the Ohio River next to the Science Center building.
Note: Items with an asterisk * indicate that the exhibit or program began at The Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science.

The Carnegie Science Center is also the home to the Pittsburgh Regional Science and Engineering Fair. The third oldest Science Fair in the United States(the oldest regional Science Fair in a major metropolitan area; the two older fairs are state-wide fairs), under the affiliation of Science Service, Inc. which facilitates the International Science and Engineering Fair, it started as the Pittsburgh Regional School Science and Engineering Fair at The Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science in 1940. This competition is free to all students in grades 6-12 in public and non-public schools throughout 22 counties within Western Pennsylvania and 3 counties in northern West Virginia. The Science Fair is co-sponsored by Carnegie Mellon University, The Carnegie Science Center, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, University of Pittsburgh, and various foundations, universities, colleges, industries, corporations, and professional societies. -

Photograph 1 shows the main entrance to The Carnegie Science Center. Photograph 2 shows the exterior of the Rangos Omnimax Theater.

Photographs 3, 4, and 5 show scenes from the Science Center's very popular exhibit, The Miniature Railroad and Village[which has been displayed in Pittsburgh(at Buhl or The Carnegie Science Center) for more than forty years]. Photographs 3 and 4 show an historic replica of the Sharon Steel Mill(not a Carnegie Steel or U.S. Steel mill) on the railroad and village platform. The Pullman Palace Car Company was one of Andrew Carnegie's many businesses; photograph 5 shows the original model used to obtain a patent for the Pullman Parlor Car, in 1878.

Photographs 6 through 11 show several long-time Science Center favorites, which began exhibition at The Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science. Photograph 6 shows the world globe made by Rand McNally; The Carnegie Museum of Natural History also has a world globe, of the same exact size, which displays the continents a little differently. Photographs 7 and 8 show the Foucault Pendulum; the beautiful brass and marble pendulum pit, displaying the true cardinal points of direction, remains at the Buhl building.

Photograph 9 shows a 746-Pound(340 kilograms) Iron-Nickel Meteorite, which is the fifth largest fragment from the Barringer Meteor Crater near Winslow, Arizona; it is on display near the entrance to the Henry Buhl, Jr. Planetarium (next to Planetary Weight Scale). This fragment came from a meteor[which, due to its iron-nickel composition, suggests that it came from the interior of a small planet], weighing 300,000 tons and measuring 150 feet across, which impacted this Arizona site some 50,000 years ago, traveling at a speed of 40,000 miles per hour; the force generated by its impact was equal to the explosion of 20 million tons of TNT. The Barringer Meteor Crater is approximately 0.75 mile in diameter. Other meteorites, including two large fragments(smaller than the 746-pound Meteorite) have been placed in storage at The Carnegie Science Center. More meteorites are displayed in the Hillman Hall of Minerals and Gems of The Carnegie Museum of Natural History.

Photographs 10 and 11 show an historic four-inch refractor telescope (displayed and sometimes used during Friday and Saturday evening observing sessions, weather-permitting) in the Henry Buhl, Jr. Planetarium and Observatory/Buhl Digital Dome of The Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh) produced by John Brashear, a well-known Pittburgh astronomer and optician near the end of the nineteenth century. An 11-inch Brashear Refractor Telescope is used for free public star parties of the Nicholas E. Wagman Observatory, operated by the Amateur Astronomers' Association of Pittsburgh.

Photograph 12 shows the U.S.S. Requin(SS-481), World War II diesel-electric submarine, moored in the Ohio River, on the North Shore of Science Park near The Carnegie Science Center.

Photo 1 (1) ***Photo 2 (1) ***Photo 3 (1) ***Photo 4 (1) ***Photo 5 (1) ***Photo 6 (1)

Photo 7 (1) ***Photo 8 (1) ***Photo 9 (1) ***Photo 10 (1) ***Photo 11 (1) ***< Photo 12

Photographs with Number (1): © Copyright 1999-2008 Lynne S. Walsh, All Rights Reserved.

* Pitz, Marylynne. "Carnegie Museums receive $1 million grant for technology upgrades."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette On-Line 2012 Nov. 14.
* Zlatos, Bill. "Grant to expand tech capabilites at Carnegie museums."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2012 Nov. 14.
The Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh has received $1 million from the Carnegie Corporation of New York to upgrade the technology infrastructure of the museums, museum officials announced Wednesday.
The corporation made the grant in honor of its 100th anniversary and to help organizations founded by its namesake, Pittsburgh steel magnate Andrew Carnegie.

Wagner, Adam. "Inspection scheduled for Cold War-era sub."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2012 Aug. 4.

Arbogast, Sarah. "Students Come From Near, Far To Compete In Science & Engineering Fair."
KDKA-TV 2 2012 May 17.
Intel International Science and Engineering Fair occurred at Pittsburgh's David Lawrence Convention Center. The last time the International Science and Engineering Fair was in Pittsburgh was in May of 1989, for the 40th Intenational Fair, in commemoration of the 50th Pittsburgh Regional School Science and Engineering Fair and the 50th anniversary of Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science.

"Three named to board of Carnegie Science Center."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2012 March 2.

"Science Center adds 3 to directors' board."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2012 March 2.

Walsh, Glenn A. "Former Buhl Science Center President Dies." Obituary.
SpaceWatchtower 2012 Jan. 29.
Joshua Whetzel, who transformed Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science and spearheaded
construction of The Carnegie Science Center, dies at age 90.

Spatter, Sam and Rachel Weaver. "Rust threatens to mothball Science Center's Requin submarine."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2012 Jan. 28.
The USS Requin submarine started as a special exhibit of Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science
in the Autumn of 1990.

"Carnegie Science Center gets $764K grant from NASA."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2011 Dec. 21.

"Science center's flight simulators turn public into 'Top Gun' pilots."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2011 Dec. 18.
Exhibit was at The Carnegie Science Center, successor to Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science.

Zlatos, Bill. "Scientific literacy gets $1 million boost."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2011 Dec. 1.
Chevron and six other partners are giving the Carnegie Science Center $1 million to create a new center to improve science, technology and math education in the region, officials announced on Wednesday.

Carpenter, Mackenzie. "Chevron, Science Center pact aims to boost STEM learning."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2011 Dec. 1.
Chevron and six other partners are giving the Carnegie Science Center $1 million to create a new center to improve science, technology and math education in the region, officials announced on Wednesday.

Zlatos, Bill. "Volunteers save the day at many historic attractions."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2011 March 10.
"The Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh has 1,000 volunteers."

Daly, Jill. "Carnegie Science Awards announced."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette On-Line 2011 Feb. 3.
Includes award: Emerging Female Scientist -- Sara Majetich, Carnegie Mellon University.
Dr. Majetich listed herself as an alumnus of the Pittsburgh Regional School Science and Engineering Fair, of Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science, for the 1989 publication: "Lives Touched...Worlds Changed," Fifty Years of Alumni Achievements.

"Season of change: The Carnegie Museums chooses a new leader." Blog.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette On-Line 2011 Jan. 29.

"Season of change: The Carnegie Museums chooses a new leader." Editorial.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2011 Jan. 29.

Carpenter, Mackenzie. "Carnegie's new chief to run fast 'in the same direction'."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2011 Jan. 29.

Zlatos, Bill. "Carnegie Museums eye outreach, cooperation."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2011 Jan. 29.

Carpenter, Mackenzie. "Carnegie Museums chooses John Wetenhall as new president."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2011 Jan. 28.

Carpenter, Mackenzie. "John Wetenhall will head Carnegie Museums starting March 7."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette On-Line 2011 Jan. 27.

Zlatos, Bill. "Wetenhall named to head Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review On-Line 2011 Jan. 27.

Pitz, Marylynne and Michael A. Fuoco. "Carnegie Museums pick new president."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2011 Jan. 22.

LaRussa, Tony . "Ross couple: Help no longer wanted by science center."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2010 Dec. 21.

Gormly, Kellie B. "Science Center program focuses on girls as math, science leaders."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2010 Dec. 14.

O'Toole, Kevin. "Carnegie Outrage Center?" Letter-to-the-Editor.
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2010 Dec. 1.

"Laurels & Lances" - Lance: To the Carnegie Science Center. Editorial.
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2010 Nov. 26.

LaRussa, Tony . "Volunteers' American flag removed from Science Center."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2010 Nov. 23.

"Science Center Welcomes Summer With Snowballs."
KDKA-TV 2, Pittsburgh 2010 June 21.
Snowballs on Summer Solstice Day began in 1985 at Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science. Carnegie Science Center resumed snowball tradition in 2007.

Pitz, Marylynne. "Carnegie Museums president to retire."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2010 Jan. 8.

Deitch, Charlie. "Classroom Discussion."
Pittsburgh City Paper 2009 Dec. 24.
Quote from Allegheny Institute on Public Policy President Jake Haulk--
"Haulk: The city would be in a lot stronger position if they hadn't created Heinz Field, Carnegie Science Center, PNC Park, a new convention center that gobbled up a tremendous amount of space and a huge new hockey arena that have taken valuable Downtown property off the tax rolls. To be fussing about CMU, which has been there for a hundred years, when you're taking valuable property off the tax rolls ..."

"Science Center to make co-directors permanent."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette On-Line 2009 Feb. 12.

"Carnegie Science Center announces co-directors."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review On-Line 2009 Feb. 12.

Lowry, Patricia. "City's Friendship Quilt back for show."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2008 Jan. 24.
Great Pittsburgh Friendship Quilt, created at Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium in 1988, found in basement of Carnegie Science Center's original SportsWorks/warehouse building, after being unseen for 20 years.

Zlatos, Bill. "Carnegie Museums president earns praise for guidance."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2009 Jan. 4.

Heinrichs, Allison M. "Private donors supply scientists with crucial tools for research."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2009 Jan. 3.

Majors, Dan. "Another fine mess: Science center's sloppy celebration amuses, educates youngsters."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2009 Jan. 2.

"Science Center offers Hubble photo exhibition."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2008 Nov. 2.

Gormly, Kellie B. "Science center event teaches ins and outs of chemistry."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2008 Oct. 23.

Zentner, Andrew R. "About that 'projector'." Letter-to-the-Editor.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2008 Oct. 15.
(Fourth letter of six on web page)
Also see Adler Planetarium, Chicago, News

Thomas, Mary. "'Sensational year' for Carnegie Museums, says CEO Hillenbrand."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2008 Oct. 14.

In 2002, Science Center officials had promised the City of Pittsburgh that some of this second floor space, near the Henry Buhl, Jr. Planetarium (now also known as the Buhl Digital Dome), would be used for a "Final Frontier" exhibit, which would include display of the historic Zeiss II Planetarium Projecctor, the oldest, operable major planetarium projector in the world prior to its 2002 October dismantling. Also included in the "Final Frontier" exhibit was to be another original Buhl Planetarium artifact, the large Mercator's Projection Map of the World, which was considered the world's largest such map when first installed at the 1939-1940 World's Fair in New York City.

The "Final Frontier" exhibit, which was not supposed to be dependent on the proposed $90 million expansion project which was cancelled in May of 2003, has never been developed. Nor has there been any word about the future of this proposed exhibit, which was a major reason why the City of Pittsburgh permitted the Science Center to remove the Zeiss II Planetarium Projecctor and the large Mercator's Projection Map of the World from the original Buhl Planetarium building. Now it seems this large, new, permanent robotics exhibit will preclude the ability to install the "Final Frontier" exhibit next to the Henry Buhl, Jr. Planetarium.

Friends of the Zeiss has always contended that the best place for the historic Buhl Planetarium artifacts is the original Buhl Planetarium building, the only place (due to custom-construction of the building) where the Zeiss II Planetarium Projecctor and the 10-inch Siderostat-type Refractor Telescope can be fully unitlized to teach science to children visiting the Children's Museum.

* "Zeiss projector restoration."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2002 Dec. 30.
Regarding proposed "Final Frontier" exhibit.

* Templeton,, David. "Robots coming to life in 2009 exhibit."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2008 April 10.
* Houser, Mark. "Roboworld could cement 'Burgh as robotics capital."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2008 April 10.
* Houser, Mark. "Robot exhibit coming to Carnegie Science Center."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review On-Line 2008 April 9.
* "Carnegie Science Center will open comprehensive robotics exhibition."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2008 April 7.
* Houser, Mark. "CMU at forefront in building thinking machines."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2008 April 6.
* "What is artificial intelligence?."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2008 April 6.
* "Will A.I. work lead to robots taking over the world?"
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2008 April 6.
* Houser, Mark. "Robots do a little networking."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2008 April 9.

* Walsh, Glenn A. Letter-to-the-Editor:
"Demanding transparency from local museum." (Second of two letters on web page)
Pittsburgh City Paper 2008 March 19.
Regarding current Carnegie Science Center "Bodies" exhibition,
and the sale, in the 1990s, of original Buhl Planetarium human-anatomy exhibit,
"Transpara," to the Cleveland Health Museum to be used as spare parts
for their transparent woman exhibit.

* Fisher, Ken. "Spelling bee hopes scatter with avifauna."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2008 March 20
* Simonich, Milan. "'Clavichord' sounds sweet for bee champ."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2008 March 16
* Simonich, Milan. "Spelling Bee champ crowned."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette On-Line 2008 March 15.
Western Pennsylvania Spelling Bee sponsored by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and the Carnegie Science Center. For many years, the Spelling Bee was sponsored by The Pittsburgh Press and Buhl Planetarium. With the opening of the new Carnegie Science Center, sponsorship shifted to Point Park College (now Point Park University) and, with the closing of The Pittsburgh Press, to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.The Carnegie Science Center has now accepted co-sponsorship of the Spelling Bee.

* "Carnegie Science Center picks new chairman."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette On-Line/AP 2008 March 13.

* McCoy, Adrian. "Science center laser shows now high-def."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2008 Feb. 15.
Regarding $500,000 upgrade to laser-light concerts and
$206,000 upgrade to Observatory and Planetarium lobby (not
including display of Zeiss II Planetarium Projector or large
Mercator's Projection Map of the World!).

* 2008 Jan. 7 - Reuse, by The Carnegie Science Center (beginning in 2007) of original Buhl Planetarium
"Snowballs on Summer Solstice Day" promotion (from 1985).

* 2007 Dec. 27 - NOTICE:
Pittsburgh City Council votes to allow abandonment of America's first publicly-funded
Carnegie Library, Allegheny Regional Branch, The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
(formerly Carnegie Free Library of Allegheny), next-door to Pittsburgh's original
Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science.

News of Controversy Regarding 2007-2008 Exhibit
of Human Cadavers at The Carnegie Science Center
Carnegie Science Center Education Division employee Elaine Catz resigned
her employment due to unanswered questions regarding a traveling exhibit
of human cadavers, from China, which will be displayed in
The Carnegie Science Center for a seven-month run beginning in 2007 October.

News Related to Casino Development Next to Carnegie Science Center (2007) Carnegie Science Center has complained that light from new casino, which will be next-door to Science Center, might harm viewing at Science Center's rooftop observatory.

Cancellation of proposed $90 million expansion of Carnegie Science Center:
2003 May, 2003 November

Carnegie Science Center Staff Layoffs in 2003:
2003 April, 2003 July

Response to the City of Pittsburgh Request for Proposals(RFP)
For Lease of Equipment and Artifacts of The Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science
2002 May 22

Friends of the Zeiss Efforts to Prevent Dismantling of
Historic Buhl Planetarium Equipment and Artifacts - A.D. 2002

"Zeiss Wide Shut" 10-page cover story, By Pittsburgh City Paper Editor Chris Potter,
Regarding Children's Museum Proposal to Dismantle Historic Buhl Planetarium Artifacts
2001 February 21

News Articles Regarding 1995 May 18 Pittsburgh City Council Public Hearing
On Proposed Sale of Historic Buhl Planetarium Equipment and Artifacts.