Harvard Project Physics star finder for 40°N
Date: 1971
Inventory Number: 2006-1-0100
Classification: Planisphere
Maker: Dorothy A. Bennett (fl. 1935 - 1971)
Supplier: Damon Engineering, Inc. (fl. 1962 - 1972)
Supplier: Harvard Project Physics (1962-1972)
User: Harvard College (founded 1636)
Cultural Region:
Dimensions:
22.2 × 22.2 × 0.3 cm (8 3/4 × 8 3/4 × 1/8 in.)
Description:
Typical star finder with the constellations projected onto a planisphere and shown as dots and bars on a black background. The planisphere turns inside a square cardboard cover. The cover is marked with the cardinal points at the corners, and has cut-outs to reveal the civil calendar scale printed along the limb of the planisphere.
Directions are on the front of the star finder, with a longer explanation and additional information printed on the reverse.
Directions are on the front of the star finder, with a longer explanation and additional information printed on the reverse.
In Collection(s)
SignedPrinted on front of star finder: From your bookstore or / DOROTHY A. BENNETT / 3205 College Ave., Berkeley, Calif., 94705
printed on front: Copyright 1935, 1952, 1963, 1971 Dorothy A. Bennett / Revised
silver sticker on back: [logo] DAMON
printed on back: 11th edition 1971
printed on front: Copyright 1935, 1952, 1963, 1971 Dorothy A. Bennett / Revised
silver sticker on back: [logo] DAMON
printed on back: 11th edition 1971
FunctionDescription from Project Physics catalog: "The Star/Satellite Finder" is a chart designed to help locate stars and planets in the sky, and features a luminous dial to facilitate its use at night. The rotating chart is an aid in naked-eye astronomy, and has useful astronomical facts listed on the reverse side."
Historical AttributesThis apparatus was used with Project Physics, a national physics curriculum developed in the 1960s. Project Physics materials included teaching aids, apparatus for student experiments, and books.
The Project Physics Course grew out of a Harvard University initiative to teach all students physics, not just those who would go on to careers in science. The course aimed to be a "humanistically oriented" introduction to "science at its best."
Damon Engineering produced and marketed a set of Project Physics laboratory equipment in coordination with the curricular work of Harvard physics professor Gerald Holton, California high school science teacher F. James Rutherford, and Harvard Graduate School of Education professor Fletcher G. Watson.
Instruments like this star finder were created before Project Physics, but were included in the curriculum.
The Project Physics Course grew out of a Harvard University initiative to teach all students physics, not just those who would go on to careers in science. The course aimed to be a "humanistically oriented" introduction to "science at its best."
Damon Engineering produced and marketed a set of Project Physics laboratory equipment in coordination with the curricular work of Harvard physics professor Gerald Holton, California high school science teacher F. James Rutherford, and Harvard Graduate School of Education professor Fletcher G. Watson.
Instruments like this star finder were created before Project Physics, but were included in the curriculum.
Primary SourcesThe Project Physics Collection of course books is archived online here.
Linda J. Greenhouse, "Gerald Holton: The Discovery That Scientists Are Also Philosophers Should Not Depend On Accidents," The Harvard Crimson, December 12, 1966; found online here.
Linda J. Greenhouse, "Gerald Holton: The Discovery That Scientists Are Also Philosophers Should Not Depend On Accidents," The Harvard Crimson, December 12, 1966; found online here.
ProvenanceScience Center Physics Lab