Carnegie Science Center today announced plans for the development of a permanent astronomy exhibition featuring the historic Zeiss II Planetarium Star Projector from the Theater of the Stars in the former Buhl Science Center.

A news release said the 70-year-old Zeiss projector will be displayed as the centerpiece of an interactive astronomy exhibit. The projector will be located in the Science Center's atrium with a touch screen presenting information on the projector and the Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science, later renamed the Buhl Science Center.

This October marks the 70th anniversary of the opening of the Buhl, the predecessor to Carnegie Science Center.

In 2006, Carnegie Science Center installed a high-definition digital projection system in its planetarium. The upgrade was funded by a $1 million grant from The Buhl Foundation, and the planetarium was renamed the Buhl Digital Dome.

The astronomy exhibition featuring the Zeiss projector is scheduled to open in late 2010, and is made possible by a $100,000 gift from The Buhl Foundation.