This is the 10" Zeiss Refractor on the roof of the Franklin Institute. Notice the roll off roof!

This is the mount and base of the 10" Zeiss. Wouldn't you like one of these in your backyard observatory?

A view of the computer controls in the mount of the telescope. There is a PC on the side driving it.

The dial on the side of the mount has all the writing in German. Carl Zeiss was a German optical maker
and lived from 1816 until 1888. The company is still in business today.

A plaque on the side of the mount tells that this telescope is in the memory of John Tryce.

The name plate showing that this is a Carl Zeiss telescope from Jena, Germany.

Looking at the rear of the telescope you get the glare from the Sun. They have a white solar filter on this
scope and the 16 year old volunteer knew nothing about the Sun or the telescope. This was really sad. I was
able to field questions from some of the other visitors while I was there but everyone else was left to the
knowledge of this 16 year old.

A view of the mount and scope. Notice there is a PC to control it and the roll off roof.

A closer look at the mount and the PC on the 10" Zeiss Telescope at the Franklin Institute.

It sure would be nice to have this in the back yard. But I would rather have it at the farm where it is dark.

They have these three Celestron C-9.25's for their public night viewing one Thursday a month. The light
polution is so bad that they can only see the brightest objects there.

They have the massive roll off roof that is powered by a large electric motor. The roof is a white glass
structure that is in the shape of a pyramid.

Inside the Franklin Institute they have a giant pendulum to show the earth's movement throughout the day.

In the basement of the Franklin Institute is an old out of service telescope that I would not mind having at my house!
That old man beside it is your's truly!

This old wooden refractor is in the stairwell going down to the bottom of the pendulum and basement.
Beautiful craftmanship!

A side view of the big scope in the basement. A new mirror and electronics and it would be a great telescope!

After my wife snapped this last picture beside the telescope an older gentleman came up to me and said that he
noticed that I had taken a lot of time and interest in the astronomy items among others. I told him that I was
an amateur astronomer and had a keen interest in history and science. He walked off after a few minutes and the
curator of the museum walked up and asked me what he had said. He told me his name (which I am too old to remember)
and said that he was a famous PhD and he had never spoke to anyone there before. Our short five minute conversation
means more to me because of this. I just wish I could remember what the curator said his name was! The Franklin
Institute is worth an investment of a day's time. I will be back again on my next trip to Philly!

We met our daughter at Pats Steaks for their famous steak sandwich or incorrectly called, Philly Cheese Steak.

After eating at Pats we walked across the street and ate at Geno's. We voted for Geno's "Whiz With"
steak sandwich as the best. But Pats makes an outstanding one, also. This guy in front of me works for
Comcast and was there for training. He is also a ham radio operator, DXer, and Contester.