planetarium
Date: 1850-1900
Inventory Number: RS1488
Classification: Planetarium
Subject:
Maker: American
Cultural Region:
Dimensions:
44.5 x 60 x 32.1 cm, 7 lb. (17 1/2 x 23 5/8 x 12 5/8 in., 3.2 kg)
Description:
Incomplete wooden planetarium composed of a gear mechanism (broken) that was at one point in time supporting a (partial?) model of the solar system. The ball in the center represents the sun. The horizontal band (the external ring supported by the four turned columns) bears astronomical markings (Zodiac, months and day the year).
Signedunsigned
FunctionPresumably showing the motion of the earth around the sun.
Curatorial RemarksSimilar to one attributed to Edward Hitchcock (1793-1864) at the Memorial Hall Museum in Deerfield, MA, operated by the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association. inv. no. 1883.27.
"This wooden apparatus, designed by Edward Hitchcock (1793-1864) when he was a young man and preceptor at Deerfield Academy, was customized to the latitude and longitude of Deerfield. It allowed Hitchcock to predict eclipses in the local area. He published this information in almanacs that he authored between 1814 and 1818. Although astronomy did not become Mr. Hitchcock's career choice, the mental skills he perfected were of service later in his profession as an earth scientist and his tenure as president of Amherst College."
http://americancenturies.mass.edu/collection/itempage.jsp?itemid=7833&img=1&level=session&transcription=0
"This wooden apparatus, designed by Edward Hitchcock (1793-1864) when he was a young man and preceptor at Deerfield Academy, was customized to the latitude and longitude of Deerfield. It allowed Hitchcock to predict eclipses in the local area. He published this information in almanacs that he authored between 1814 and 1818. Although astronomy did not become Mr. Hitchcock's career choice, the mental skills he perfected were of service later in his profession as an earth scientist and his tenure as president of Amherst College."
http://americancenturies.mass.edu/collection/itempage.jsp?itemid=7833&img=1&level=session&transcription=0