by NPR Political Unit

Steve Ellis of Taxpayers For Common Sense emails some background on that earmark request for the Chicago Planetarium.

In tonight's debate, Sen. McCain cited a $3M earmark Sen. Obama sought for a projector at a planetarium.

For FY08, Sen. Obama requested a $3M earmark for a projector for the Adler Planetarium. The project was not funded.

Here is the verbatim description from Sen. Obama's request:

"Adler Planetarium, to support replacement of its projector and related equipment, $3,000,000.

One of its most popular attractions and teaching tools at the Adler Planetarium is the Sky Theater. The projection equipment in this theater is 40 years old, and is no longer supported with parts or service by the manufacturer. It has begun to fail, leaving the theater dark and groups of school students and other interested museum-goers without this very valuable and exciting learning experience."

— Evie Stone

h/t Overby

UPDATE: Twitter user tmcenroe points us to a page on Obama's Senate website detailing all the Senator's FY08 earmark requests. Re: the planetarium projector, tmcenroe writes "it's not exactly the Kodak your dad had..."