Starlight On:
Suits-Bueche Planetarium

Ribbon Cutting. 
Ilene Frank, Walt Robb, Steven LJ Russo

When the Schenectady Museum opened in its current building in 1970, the old Spitz A2 was set up in a new dome.  In 1977, the A2 was replaced with a Spitz A3P.  This projector was the heart of the Planetarium until October 2006, when it was replaced by a new GOTO Chronos Space Simulator Star Machine.

The new GOTO was the final phase of a two part renovation, which began in 2003 with an automation system designed by East Coast Control Systems.  At that time, all of our old special effect projectors and our A3P were modified to run with the new ECCS automation.  Also replaced, was the old Lumiline cove system with an ECCS Pleiades system.  Twenty one new Kodak EIII slide projectors were installed, as were two video projectors, a new sound system, new computers, and a new planetarium entrance containing two 42 inch plasma screens.

The Planetarium was re-named the Suits-Bueche Planetarium, after two prominent GE Research and development scientists.

The first phase of the renovation was made possible by the Robb Family Foundation, who contributed 200K Dollars for the renovation.

Walter Robb was first impressed by planetariums due to a visit to the Fels Planetarium as a child. He was a leading person at GE Research and Development, and was one of lead scientists in the development of the MRI machine.  In 1993, he received the National Medal of Technology from President Clinton.

The second phase of the renovation came in 2006, with the purchase of theGOTO Chronos Space Simulator.  A 200K Dollar Grant from the Wright Family foundation plus another large contribution from the Robb Family Foundation secured the money needed to purchase the GOTO.
 

Walt Robby   Steve Russo

Jan Russo   Megan Dominguez

Full Time Staff at the Planetarium, consists of Planetarium Manager Steven LJ Russo, and Assistant Planetarium Manager, Megan Dominguez.  There are also several part time console operators who present programs on weekends, and during the week to school groups.

The Suits-Bueche Planetarium has public programs on Saturdays and Sundays at 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00 PM, and Tuesdays through Fridays at 2:00 PM.  All programs contain a "live" segment about the current seasonal sky, with the 3:00 Program being a totally "live" program of the seasonal sky.

During the year, the Planetarium also hosts several events such as star parties and observing sessions.  Those events are usually hosted jointly with the Dudley Observatory, Albany Area Amateur Astronomers, and the Henry Hudson Planetarium in Albany, NY.

The Grand Re-Opening celebration took place on Saturday evening, October 28th, 2006, with over 200 people in attendance.  They enjoyed several 15-minute live presentations of the current sky, live music, a pre-Halloween costume contest, and astronomical snacks including "Moon Pies"!

To find out more about the Suits-Bueche Planetarium, and see photos of the renovation and the Grand Re-opening, go to:

http://www.look-to-the-skies.com/suits.htm