**RARE** VTG Scientific Space Industries Musser Copernican Planetarium Model 500

Description

**RARE** VTG Scientific Space Industries Musser Copernican Planetarium - Model 500
I purchased this incredible piece from the estate of a 100-year old central Illinois woman. Prior to her move to Illinois decades ago, she worked in California as a librarian. It is believed that she purchased this piece while she was in California. There is a sticker on the planetarium that says it was used at Cypress College in Cypress, CA.
This planetarium has an incredible history! The planetarium was created in 1960 and was introduced at the Seattle World’s Fair in 1962 as a teaching orrey for the classroom - it was only available at the World’s Fair for purchase. This is not a toy but rather a sophisticated planetarium designed by Dr. Claire O. Musser. It was built by Scientific Space Industries, a division of Hughes Aircraft Company Vacuum Tube Products Division. It is a large piece - somewhat similar to a large TV set of this era. It has various settings and light controls. The blacklight setting illuminates the planets in the most amazing way - looks like a window into space! You can control the speed of each planet and the dial corresponds with accurate time (years) and months to the various relationships to the planets.
Check out the video of this planetarium in action below!
https://youtu.be/chAeQgnFYx8?si=y0pRx124MjdSGsYC
You could buy many different overlays for the classroom. This planetarium does not come with any overlays.. Typically a few overlays were stored in the back - there is a door on the back that swings down to reveal a small storage space. This unit came with the stand that you see. I do not think this stand is original with the piece but it’s still pretty cool. It features 4 mid-century caster wheels and a storage box that, I am assuming, was built to house numerous overlays. The box swings down for access when the latch is released.
As best I can tell (I’m not an expert) everything is in working order. The planetarium is missing one small white knob. After taking all of the pictures, I found the small metal month indicator piece in the storage box. I will include that when this is picked up or shipped. I believe that the indicator is held on by a small acorn-type nut but I do not have that either.
Below is a technical excerpt from a Christies auction describing the piece:
The Musser Copernican Planetarium Model 500,
an unusual electrical orrery, made by Scientific Space Industries OCEANSIDE, CALIFORNIA, in form similar to a large television set, with a circular 17 1/8in. (43.6cm.) diameter perspex viewing screen, behind which is a black and white photographed night sky with numerous stars of various magnitudes, in the centre a bulb with red perspex cover protruding from the screen to represent the sun, on plastic arms from the bulb's support socket are painted planet balls: Mercury (red), Venus (green), Earth (green) with attached Moon ball (orange), Mars (dark orange), Jupiter (orange and yellow) and Saturn (green, with yellow rings), in addition three hemispheres are moulded onto the background and painted yellow and orange to represent Uranus, Neptune and Pluto, in a grey plastic housing, at the base of which are six knobs with the planetary symbols and names which can be turned anti-clockwise to move the planet balls and a counter for the years, in addition there is a scale with index for the months of the year also showing the equinoxes and solstices, further knobs turn on or off White Light, Black Light, the Sun and the Planet Power, with separate clear perspex cover for the viewing screen, the reverse applied with a label for SCIENTIFIC SPACE INDUSTRIES COPERNICUM PLANETARIUM CREATING A NEW WORLD WITH ELECTRONICS HUGHES AIRCRAFT COMPANY VACUUM TUBE PRODUCTS DIVISION OCEANSIDE, CALIFORNIA, the whole housing -- 24 ¼in. (61.6cm.) high…
I am selling this as is, just like I found it. You are buying what you see, as is.
Please be sure to check out my other listings as I have many items from a variety of neat collections!
Please preview all pictures as they will best represent the condition of the planetarium.
I am willing to ship this item if desired but the buyer will assume all liability if shipped. I will package it very well but due to the rarity and complexity, I would strongly suggest local pickup or the use of a courier. I have a courier who will deliver nationwide. Please message me for a courtier estimate. I have input a 0 S&H charge if shipped. That will include insurance. Most likely this will be shipped in 2-3 boxes. If you do not want or need the stand, I can reduce the shipping cost. Any questions, 3173406170.