Of Overhead Projectors and Planetarium Foolishness

By Nancy Atkinson - October 08, 2008 08:29 AM UTC | Observing

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We don't normally publish political articles here on Universe Today, but I'm going to make an exception here after watching last night's presidential debate because a.) John McCain mentioned something about a planetarium, which is an area of interest for UT readers, and b.) McCain obviously had no idea what he was talking about. McCain, the Republican presidential nominee pointed out how Barack Obama, the Democratic nominee, has voted for almost a billion dollars of "pork barrel" projects (money for specific pet projects in their districts) and said, "He (Obama) voted for … $3 million for an overhead projector at a planetarium in Chicago, Illinois."

First of all, there's a big difference between an overhead projector and a planetarium projection system.

Spacewriter's Ramblings

has a great explanation and pictorial description, if you have questions.

Second, if you want to be nitpicky, while Obama requested the funding,

he never voted on it.

Obviously, McCain thinks this is a big issue, since this is at least the second time he's mentioned Obama and planetariums. A few weeks ago he said that Obama has sought money for "planetariums and other foolishness."

Foolishness! Over 110 million people around the world visit planetariums every year! They are important learning and teaching tools that encourage a science-literate population, and have inspired young people to become astronomers and astronauts, and aspire to many other science-related occupations as well.

Davin Flateau says it much better than I can on his great post at his Perfect Silence blog.

Obama's website has a list of his federal funding requests for Fiscal Year 2008, and clearly listed is "Adler Planetarium, to support replacement of its projector and related equipment, $3,000,000," with a description that says the 40 year old projection equipment has begun to fail and since parts are no longer available, soon students and other museum-goers will be left "without this very valuable and exciting learning experience." I don't see that as "pork barrel" funding, but an attempt to maintain a long-standing (Adler opened in 1930) and important institution in his district.

And don't get me going on

Sarah Palin.

Nancy Atkinson

Nancy Atkinson

Nancy Atkinson is a space journalist and author with a passion for telling the stories of people involved in space exploration and astronomy. She is currently retired from daily writing, but worked at Universe Today for 20 years as a writer and editor. She also contributed articles to The Planetary Society, Ad Astra (National Space Society), New Scientist and many other online outlets.

Her 2019 book, "Eight Years to the Moon: The History of the Apollo Missions,” shares the untold stories of engineers and scientists who worked behind the scenes to make the Apollo program so successful, despite the daunting odds against it. Her first book “Incredible Stories From Space: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Missions Changing Our View of the Cosmos” (2016) tells the stories of 37 scientists and engineers that work on several current NASA robotic missions to explore the solar system and beyond.

Nancy is also a NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador, and through this program, she has the opportunity to share her passion of space and astronomy with children and adults through presentations and programs. Nancy's personal website is nancyatkinson.com