US2140326A - Cosmosarium - Google Patents

Description

R. V. MORSE Dec. 13, 1938.

COSMOSARIUM Filed May 15, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 R. V. MORSE Dec. 13, 1938.

COSMOSARIUM Filed May l5, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG.. Y

IN VENTOR.

Patented Dee. 13, 193s 2,140,326

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COSMOSARIUM Robert V. Morse, Ithaca, N. Y.

Application May 15, 1936, Serial No. 79,824

l Claims. (C1. 35-46) This invention relates to astronomical and ter- Referring now to the drawings, restrial apparatus, celestial globes, terrestrial Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the globes, planetariums and the like, and has for apparatus, the terrestrial globe being in elevation its object the representation of the heavenly and the celestial globe in cross-section.

5 bodies, including the earth as a planet, as viewed Fig. 2 is a detail cross-section showing an ob- 5 from a point out in space. I am aware that celesserver on the surface of the celestial globe Viewtial globes have been used on which the relative ing the opposite interior surface, the adjacent positions of the stars are shown, but they have surface at the point through which he is looking generally had the stars on the outside and have having an opening or window.

not shown the earth in space. I am also aware Fig. 3 is an elevation showing the mechanism l() that terrestrial globes have been used, generally for elevating and rotating the terrestrial globe. l

with political divisions indicated by arbitrary Fig. 4 shows one means for representing the contrasting colors, but with no serious attempt to stars, and for illuminating the terrestrial globe. reproduce the earth in its natural form and color, Fig. 5 shows another means employed for reprenor to place it in a setting of the stars accurately senting groups of stars. l5

rep-resented. I am also aware that planetariums Fig. 6 shows means for representing the solar` have been invented in which the xed stars and system which may be substituted at times for the planets, other than the earth, are shown by light terrestrial globe, thus showing the whole solar projected on the interior of a hemisphere. The system as viewed from inter-stellar space, as disobservers have been within the hemisphere and tinguished from interplanetary space. 20 viewed the stars as they would be seen o-n any Fig. 7 shows an alternative method of mounting starlight night, as viewed from the earth, but not the terrestrial globe, with its axis at an angle as Viewed from space. instead of vertical.

As distinguished from these, the present in Fig. 8 is an elevation, partly in section, of a vention utilizes a hollow spherical globe or spherminiature type of cosmosarium. 25

cal dome, as distinguished from the hemispherical Similar reference numerals refer to similar.

dome oi a planetarium, and provides means for parts throughout the various Views. The stars placing the observer so that he may view the which in the apparatus actually appear as bright interior of the dome from a point just outside SDOS against a dark bB/Ckgurld are ShOWn in 3,0 the interior surface thereof, so that he may see the drawings as dark spots on a light background, the opposite surface but not the adjacent surface, due to the limitations in the reproduction of The present invention also provides a means for patent drawings. placing a realistic terrestrial globe between the Referring now to Fig. 1, a terrestrial globe I observer and the opposite interior surface carin natural color (disregarding atmOSDhere), iS

rying the stars, so that the earth appears to be mounted on an elevator shaft or post 2 operated 35 floating in outer space against a background of by an elevator mechanism 3, by which it may be-V the stars. It will be understood that when one is raised to the center of the hollow celestial globe out in space beyond the earths atmosphere, 4, whose interior is studded by the stars 5.- The abysmal space is absolutely black, and the stars stars 5 in practice are carefully arranged in their Klo can be seen in broad daylight shining with their true constellations, and are produced by lights utmost brilliancy, when onesback is turned toembedded in the globe II, as will be more fullyl ward the sun. explained later. The terrestrial globe I, repre- This device is termed a cosmosarium, as dissenting the earth, is illuminated by a restricted tinguished from a planetarium, as it shows the beam or group of beams of light I which are dil5 entire visible cosmos or universe, including the reoted so as to strike one side of the earth I but 45 planet Earth. The means for holding the earth not pass beyond it. This leaves the other side in space without visible support, for representing of the celestial dome 4 in darkness. The princitne stars and planets, for placing' the observer pal beams 1 may come from the round spotlight where he can obtain the eifect, the means for il- 8 representing the sun.

s luminating the terrestrial globe as by the suns The season of the year selected for representarays without exposing the interior wall of the tion is preferably the late summer or harvest sea-.: celestial globe beyond or obliterating the stars, son in the Northern Hemispheraabout the month the means for moving the earth and planets, and of August. At this time the north polar snow various other features, will become apparent as cap is relatively small, surrounded by the dark as the description proceeds. Waters of the Arctic Ocean. Below that come 55 Se.. i

thedark green of the northern woods, passing into -autumnal coloration further south; then the great elds of the agricultural regions in the color of ripened grain, with wooded areas still green. The oceans are in general blue, the various oceanic currentsl varying in hue from the brilliant blue of the Gulf Stream for example to the som- .Y

, without disturbing the worm wheel I6 and worm l drive mechanism I8 and I9. The opening at the bottom of the celestial globe may be closed if deber gray-greens of VtheArctic currents. In the tropics, aside from the mountains and deserts, green is the predominant color, merging into jbroyvns` inthe cultivated and winter regions 'of the Southern Hemisphere.

i porting post.2, which is black, to be invisible, and thuscreatesthe illusion that the earth I is oate 'ing unsupported in space.

The hollow globular shell Ll in which the stars 5 are carried is pierced at intervals in the dark spacesbetween stars by observation holes I as shown in Fig. 1 and more in detail in Fig. 2, these those ascending and the other ramp indicated by .the dotted lines II may be used by those descending. This permits a large number of observers to use the apparatus without crowding o1 crossing, each other. It overcomes one of the chief limitations of planetariums from a nancial standpoint, in that they have been limited to the number of people who could be seated inside of a dome, multiplied by six or eight, corresponding to the number of lectures per day. While this in the ordinary planetarium totals no more than a very small theatre, the cosmosarium can handle a much greater number, as it permits a continnous ow of observers. An ordinary planetarium can also be used in conjunction with the cosmosarium if lectures are desired.

, Taking up the mechanism more in detail, the earth I may be lowered as well as raised by the elevator mechanism 3 operating the post or plunger 2, and this permits the earth I to be brought down to the level of the lower portion of lthe celestial globe 4 for cleaning or repair, In Fig. 3 the earth I is shown in its lowered position. The elevating mechanism 3 is preferably of the hydraulic type, commonly used in Various forms -of -lifts and passenger elevators, consisting in general of a rod or plunger 2 which is raised or lowered by hydraulic pressure operated by a suitable control mechanism I4, the details of which are well known in the art. Any other suitable 'type of elevating mechanism may be used, either mechanical or hydraulic or the terrestrial globe I may be suspended from above by a wire or cable if desired.

In` addition to the elevating or supporting device, means` I5 are provided to slowly rotate the globe I on its axis, as shown in Fig. 1 and on a larger scale in Fig. 3. This globe rotating means I5 consists of a worm wheel I6 secured to the rodorshaft 2 by means of the clamp `I'I. The

.worm wheel is rotated slowly by the worm I8 V,driven by the motor I9 or other suitable power ,means,g The, shaft 2v issecuredtohand supports the globe I, so that when the apparatus is oper- When the globe I vis'being raised or lowered,

"which only happens' at comparatively long'inter- `vals, the clamp Il' is' loosened, thus'permitting the shaft 2 to slide longitudinally thrugh it,

sired -by a removable screen S, on which the southernmost stars may be represented. This can be removed when the earth is lowered.

Referring now to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, these show more in detail means for showing the stars 5 on the interior wall of the celestial globe 4, which is spaced from` and surrounds the terrestrial globe or earth i. The brighter stars and planets may be represented by individual electric lights 22 sufficiently sunk in the wall 4 and provided with lenses 23 so that the light is not diffusedin the interior of the dome 4,-which might illuminate it too greatly and expose its structure,but.instead the light of the stars is restricted and chiefly directed or spotted on the earth. The stars can still be seen at angles beyond the perimeter of vthe earth l, just as an automobile headlight can be seen at lateral angles even though the beam is directed forward; but the major portion of the' illumination, so far as revealing or exposing anything, remains in the path of the beam. Various principal stars, used as individual spot lights with directed beams, may have their vbeams `blended on the surface of the earth I so as to simulate as indicated by the dotted lines I in Fig. 1, so as to be intercepted by the earth I and not strike the opposite wall sufiiciently to expose its construction. The large spot-light or sun 8 may be used alone or in conjunction wih the small yspotlights 22 described, or the sun 8 can be omitted and the lights 22 depended upon` entirely. Where the large light or sun 8 is used reecting elements 38, preferably of the jeweled orprismatic type, may be used for the stars. These refleeting elements may be used in any case ,to represent the minor stars, and in .ne form to represent the milky way and other star clouds.

In the simplest form the planets may be placed.

at certain `fixed positions, like the xed stars', in-

certain time. If the progress of the planets through the heavens is to be shown, a string of additional sockets may be used, and thelight turned on successively from one to another, so as to show the changing position, without moving parts other than the switch, after the manner of advertising signs.

'Ii a fairly rapid and smooth motion ofY the planets desired, the planets 38. may be arranged cn tracks laid on the interior surfaceof the celestial globe i as shown in Fig. 2, and provided with little motors or carrier mechanisms'SG, such as are used in the toy 'train and Ydepartment store change carrier arts for example,.by,whihf the iight or lights corresponding to the planet maybe made to moveat any desired rate. The same may be used to represent an occasional comet, and the moon. It will be understood that, unlike an ordinary planetarium, it is not necessary or proper that all the stars of the celestial globe of the cosmosarium should rotate or appear to move in the heavens. Except for the relatively few planets, and the moon, all the other stars are fixed stars, and so may be iixed in the celestial globe 4. In the ordinary planetarium it is necessary to move all the stars, because they are seen as viewed from the earths surface, and are therefore given the appearance of motion by the rotation of the earth; though in` reality it is well known that the stars remain still while the earth turns.

In the present invention the elaborate mechanism heretofore required to move all the stars is dispensed with, by reason of the concept of placing the observer at a detached point in outer space, from which it is apparent that the stars, generally speaking, are xed, and it is the earth that turns.

Where it is desired to represent a number oi stars 5 by a single light 22', a transparency d@ may be employed as shown in Fig. 5. This simplies. construction and servicing, and is applicable to some groups and constellations.

The observation ports EG have different angles of View depending on their position in the celestial globe t, and as previously stated the ports lil are located at dark spaces between the stars 5; or conversely, the stars 5 may be described as spaced between or around the ports lil. Slight displacements in the positions of some of the stars can be tolerated without spoiling the effect. At the top of the celestial globe 4 the windows or ports become horizontal, as shown in Fig. G, so that the observer may look down on the eart i, through the port or window lil'.

As an occasional feature the earth l may be lowered to the bottom of the celestial globe l as shown in Fig. 3, so that it is no longer visible, and the sun spot-light 8 may be turned olif. Then from the top of the celestial globe l a model of the solar system 45 (conventionally shown in the drawings) may be lowered by means of the cables GS and drums 4'! to the central portion of the globe li formerly occupied by the earth l. This model i5 may then be illuminated and operated in any of the well known manners customary to such models, and provides a. representation of the solar system as viewed from many millions of miles out in interstellar space, yet from a point relatively close to the solai` system as compared to distances of the fixed stars. It is permissible to modify the true scale sizes and distances of the sun and planets, in orde-r that they may be conveniently seen, as is customary with models of the solar system.

In Fig. l the shaft or axis 2 of the terrestrial globe or earth i has been shown in the vertical position, in which case the beam l' of the sun 8 will come down at an angle from above, ii the time selected for representation is summer in the Northern Hemisphere. This vertical manner oi mounting the axis of the earth l is preferred by me, but I do not wish to be understood as indicating that the present invention is limited thereto, as the axis of the earth as shown in Fig. 'l may be inclined in the ordinary manner common to terrestrial globes, or at any desired angle, the only difference being that the suns rays 'i from the spot-light 8 then come horizontally or at some other angle, and the stars would also be shifted accordingly, with the North Star coming at the position indicated by a projection of the axis 2 of the earth I.

I am aware that it is customary to represent the axis of the earth as tilted to the plane of the table or base upon which an ordinary terrestrial globe rests. This shows the inclination of the earths axis to the plane of the earths orbit around the sun, and is useful in demonstrating the cause of the change of seasons. While tins in conventional thought leads to the belief that the axis in the present invention must be tilted in order to truly represent reality, it will be seen on further consideration that there is no fixed reference plane, such as a table, in space, but that all positions are relative. It is, for exam.- ple, a purely arbitrary convention which places the north pole of the ordinary terrestrial globe on top; the globe would in all respects be just as true if the south pole were placed at the top. So in the present invention, whether the axis is vertical or at an angle, becomes merely a question of whether we chose as our reference plane the plane of the earths rotation on its own axis or the plane oi the earths orbit around the sun. It is therefore just as proper to select the earth on which we stand as the basis as it is to select the path around the sun in which the earth also moves, the latter being relatively intangible, and as abstraction of which human beings are lessi conscious. In either case, from the standpoint of the universe, the selection is arbitrary; and if the pivot 2 is placed vertically, as shown in Fig. l, the. load is better supported, and the shaft 2 not subjected to bending stresses. However, if concessions must be made to conventional habits of thought, the inclined position as shown in Fig. 7 is equally proper.

The cosniosariuin apparatus above described may be enclosed or housed in any structure of suitable architectural design,-the architectural design being immaterial so far as this invention is concerned. However, if it is not protected from the weather, by being surrounded by some much larger structure, or by a natural shelter such as a cave, it is generally desirable to have an outer spherical shell 5Fl to protect the device and also to maintain the observation ports lli in relative darkness, so that the observers eyes will be adusted to the relatively dim illumination of the earth i lby artificial light. The outer shell 50 may have small ports or windows 5l to admit a moderate amount of light.

The apparatus may also be built in much smaller form, including the miniature type shown in Fig., 8, suitable for household use, or schools. In this form the outer shell 56 and ramps il and il' as shown in Fig. l are omitted, and the observer places his eye to peep-holes 55 in the shell oi the celestial globe The earth i may be 4illuminated by a beam of light as has been described, or can be made of transparent material and illuminated from an interior light placed inside the terrestrial globe l, which can be provided with a suitable shade so that one half of the earth l appears in darkness or only dimly illuminated, while the other half appears to be illuminated as in daylight. An interior light in a transparent terrestrial globe of the conventional political type, showing countries in arbitrary colors, is well known in the art, so the details of the interior light, with its shade and mounting, need not be further described. Similar interior lighting might be used on the larger globe I of Fig. 1, but due to the difficulty of making so large fil aglobe of transparent material, the external beam glass, coated as in a transparency, leaving trans- `parent holes for the stars, to which the eye may be placed to View the interior. Such a device forms a novel and beautiful celestial globe, with or without the earth l inside.

The term celestial globe as used herein does notV necessarily mean that it must be a perfect or completely spherical globe or body, it being generally understood in the art that such globes usually have a base, or sometimes openings or passages for access to the interior, or other such minor modifications in form, while substantially retaining the effect of a globe or sphere on which the stars are mounted. Such an opening for eX- ample may be closed by the screen S as described. It is believed that a terrestrial globe in natural form and color, is of itself a novel and useful article of manufacture for educational purposes, whether associated with the stars or not. The ordinary terrestrial globes are designed to emphasize political features, such as geographical names'and the boundaries of countries, generally shown in arbitrary contrasting colors. The student then does not Visualize the great natural features of the earth as they are,-such as the snow caps, mountains, deserts, forest and fields, and the student therefore loses the opportunity to learn natural facts in the most effective mannen-namely, by direct observation; he is unduly impressed with political and national divisions. It is believed that a terrestrial globe under the present invention, where a serious attempt is made to represent in their actual form and color the natural features of the earths surface, so that they are visible and recognizable in themselves, is of educational value in arousing the interest of the student in the geography of the earth as mans abode, with a broader point of view than nationalism. I am aware that there have been crude representations of the earth, with the sea blue and the continents green, generally used for advertising purposes; but as these colors are incorrect, and do not bring out the various natural features above-mentioned,` they neither in purpose nor result attain the effect of the present invention. So far as I am aware, the concept of a terrestrial globe having its actual geographic features represented realistically in natural colors is new in the art, and creates a useful educational device.

While I have in the foregoing described certain specific examples, it will be understood that they are merely for purposes of illustration, to make clear the principles of the invention, which is not limited to the particular forms shown, but is susceptible of various modications and adaptations in different installations, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of the invention as stated in the following claims. In these claims the word astronomical is to be understood as used in its broadest sense, to cover the terrestrial as well as the celestial, the earth being considered as coming under astronomy, as it is one of the planets.

I claim:`

1. In astronomical apparatus, the combination and simultaneously see the terrestrial globe against a dark background, whereby the earth may be represented against the blackness of abysmal space.

2. In astronomical apparatus, the combination of a hollow celestial globe having a darkened inside surface and dotted with stars having lighted representations of the stars on said darkened inside surface, and window openings located in the dark spaces between stars, whereby an observer may see the stars on the opposite interior# surface without seeing the surface adjacent to him.

3. In astronomical apparatus, the combination of a hollow celestial globe having a darkened interior surface and having lighted representae` tions of the stars on said darkened interior surface and viewing means extending through the wall of said globe, whereby an observer may see the opposite interior side of the globe Without seeing the exterior side of the globe adjacent to him, said viewing means being located in the dark spaces between stars.

e. In astronomical apparatus, the combination of a hollow celestial globe having a wall of'opaque material, said wall having viewing apertures so that the interior may be viewed from the outside, and means for illuminating representations of the stars on the inside surface of said wall, so that they may be seen in the darkness of the interior,

said viewing apertures being located between star representations in the region of the heavens depicted by the stars.

5. In astronomical apparatus, a celestial globe having illuminated stars represented on its intericr surface, and numerous small windows scat-l tered at intervals among the stars, the total light from said windows being so small that the interior of the globe is left in relative darkness so that the stars may be seen as at night, when viewed through said windows.

6. In astronomical apparatus, the combination of a hollow celestial globe having a darkened inside surface and having lighted stars represented on said darkened inside surface, a terrestrial globe inside said celestial globe, and means by which,

an observer located closely adjacent the celestial globe on the outside of the surface on which the stars are shown may look through between adjacent stars and see the stars on the opposite interior wall of the celestial globe and simultaneously see the terrestrial globe aga-inst a dark background, whereby the earth may be represented against the blackness of abysmal space, and means for elevating and lowering the terrestrial globe, so that it can be located substantially` in the center of the celestial globe and occasionally owered to the bottom of the celestial globe.

'7. In astronomical apparatus, the combination of a hollow celestial globe having a darkened inside surface and having lighted stars represented on said darkened inside surface, a terrestrial globe inside said celestial globe, and means by which an observer located closely adjacent the celestial globe on the outside of the surface on which the stars are shown may look through between adjacent stars and see the stars on the opposite interior wall of the celestial globe and simultaneously see the terrestrial globe against a dark background, whereby the earth may be represented against the blackness of abysmal space, means for holding the terrestrial globe substantially in the center of the celestial globe, and means for rotating the terrestrial globe.

8. In astronomical apparatus, the combination of a hollow celestial globe having a darkened inside surface and having stars represented on said dark-ened inside surface, a terrestrial globe inside said celestial globe, and means by which an observer located closely adjacent the celestial globe on the outside of the surface on which the stars are shown may look through between adjacent stars and see the stars on the opposite interior wall of the celestial globe and simultaneously see the terrestrial globe, means for holding the terr-estrial globe substantially in the center of the celestial globe, means for rotating the terrestrial globe, and means for illuminating one side of the terrestrial globe, said illuminating means being restricted to one side of the terrestrial globe whereby not to illuminate the means for holding the terrestrial globe in place nor the interior details of the celestrial globe, so that the earth is represented as. floating unsupported in abysmal space.

9. In astronomical apparatus, a hollow celestial globe having representations of the stars on the interior surface thereof and viewing means extending through the wall of said globe, whereby an observer may see the opposite interior side of the globe without seeing the exterior side of the globe adjacent td him, and spiral means by which observers may pass surrounding the wall of said celestial globe, and connecting the various points of view, so that an observer may see the interi-or from different angles and elevations as he progresses around said spiral.

10. In astronomical apparatus, the combination of a hollow celestial globe having lighted stars represented on the darkened opaque inside surface thereof, a terrestrial globe inside said celestial globe, and means by which an observer located closely adjacent the celestial globe on the outside of the surface on which the stars are shown may look through between adjacent stars and see the stars on the opposite interior wall of the celestial globe and simultaneously see the terrestrial globe, whereby the earth may be represented in space, and means for representing the planets in various positions on said celestial globe, while the positions of the stars remain stationary.

1l. In astronomical apparatus, the combination of a terrestrial globe representing the earth with its natural features represented in realistic form and natural surface coloration, a celestial globe surrounding said terrestrial globe, the interior of said celestial globe being in darkness except for lights representing the heavenly bodies, means for supporting the terrestrial globe in a substantially invisible manner when viewed against the lights of the stars, a series of Viewing means arranged spirally around and outside the celestial globe and located in dark spaces between stars, whereby the earth may be seen as viewed from space from different positions.

12. In astronomical apparatus, the combination of a terrestrial globe representing the earth with its natural features represented in realistic form and natural surface coloration, a celestial globe surrounding said terrestrial globe, the interior of said celestial globe being in darkness except for lights representing the heavenly bodies, means for supporting the terrestri-al globe in a substantially invisible manner when viewed against the lights of the stars, a series of viewing means arranged spirally around and outside the celestial globe and located in dark spaces between stars, whereby the earth may be seen as viewed from space from different positions, and means for rotating the earth.

13. In astronomical apparatus, the combination of a terrestrial globe representing the earth with its natural features represented in realistic form and natural surface coloration, a celestial globe surrounding said terrestrial globe, the interior of said celestial globe being in darkness except for lights representing the heavenly bodies, means for supporting the terrestrial globe in a substantially invisible manner when viewed against the lights of the stars, a series of viewing means arranged spirally around and outside the celestial globe and located in dark spaces between stars, means for rotating the earth, and means for representing the planets in various positions relative to the xed stars.

14, In astronomical apparatus, the combination of a celestial globe, a terrestrial globe inside of said celestial globe, means for supporting said terrestrial globe, spotlights arranged in said celestial globe to represent seme of the heavenly bodies, said spotlights being directed upon the surface of the earth so as to be intercepted thereby and not reveal the details of the opposite interior of the celestial globe or of the supporting means of the terrestrial globe, whereby the earth is represented as oating in space.

l5. In astronomical apparatus, the combination of a terrestrial globe representing the earth with its natural surface coloration so as to indicate realistically mountains, snow-caps, forests, elds, deserts, and bodies of water, a celestial globe surrounding said terrestrial globe and hav ing stars represented on its internal surface, means for movably supporting the terrestrial globe within the celestial globe, means for illuminating one side of the terrestrial globe, said illuminating means being located and directed to shine on one side of the globe but not on said supporting means, which is located in the shadow cast by the globe and in a relatively unilluminated region, so that the globe appears to oat in space, Windows in the wall of the celestial globe located at intervals between the stars, whereby the earth may be viewed as in space surrounded by the stars, an external wall surrounding the celestial globe, and spiral passage ways located between the celestial globe and said external wall whereby observers may pass from one window to the next and view the representation ofthe earth in space from various angles and elevations.

ROBERT V. MORSE.

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