The Scientific Odyssey

Episode 3.19: All Ashore-The 100th Episode

This week we dock in Venice for a question and answer episode wherein I talk about podcasting, understanding quantum mechanics, the origin of the universe, and the evidence for human activity causing climate change.  I also address questions about how doing the podcast has affected my teaching and where some of the strange things in academia come from.  Then there's the story of the time I ran out of food but was saved by a do-it-yourself carwash in the middle of nowhere.

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Solar Analemma

Sundial Analemma

 

Episode 3.18: The Starry Messenger

A discussion of the astronomical observation of Galileo Galilei and the escalating conflict with the Aristotelian Scholastics that dominated the Italian universities in the late 16th and early 17th centuries.  Specifically, we discuss the 1604 nova and Galileo's telescopic observations of 1609 including those of the Moon, Jupiter and the phases of Venus.

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Telescopes from the Ground Up

NAAP Ptolemaic Phases of Venus Simulation

NAAP Copernican Phases of Venus Simulation

 

Two of Galileo's telescopes on display in Florence

 

 

 

Light path for a converging lens

 

 

 

Light path for a diverging lens

 

 

 

Light ray and lens diagram for Lippershey's telescope design

 

 

 

Light ray and lens diagram for Kepler's telescope

 

 

 

Light ray diagram for the two types of telescopic aberration

 

 

 

Galileo's observations of Jupiter's four largest moons

 

 

 

Galileo's observations for the phases of Venus

 

 

 

Diagram displaying the predicted phases of Venus in Ptolemy's model (left) and Copernicus' Model (right)

 

 

Episode 3.16: The Harmony of the Worlds

In this episode we look at the work of Johannes Kepler and his three Laws of Planetary Motion.  We discuss the principles that motivated his work and his idea that forces were responsible for the motion of the planets around the Sun.

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NAAP Kepler's Laws Simulator

 

 

Episode 3.15.3: The Decline and Fall of Tycho Brahe

In this final episode devoted to the life of the Danish astronomer, Tycho Brahe, we look at his conflict with Nicolaus Reimers Bar (aka Ursus) as well as a number of other factors that led him to depart the island of Hven and eventually land in Prague where he would spend the last two years of his life.

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Statue of Tycho and Kepler in Prague

 

Episode 3.15.2: On Tycho's Island

This week we look at the construction of Uraniborg on the island of Hven and the astronomical work done on it.  We also discuss the ideas that informed the facility's founding and the social structure that supported its construction and operation. Tycho's observatory and laboratory was the premier scientific research institution of its time and it marked a transition in how science was done throughout Europe.

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Episode 3.15.1: The Rise of Tycho Brahe

In Part 1 of our biography of the Danish astronomer, Tycho Brahe, we follow his life from the keeps and fortresses of his homeland to the universities of Germany.  We look into his interactions with the people around him including his wife, Kirsten Jorgensdatter, and look at the idea of amicitia that would so shape his worldview.

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Episode 3.15: The Tychonic Model

This week we look at the scientific work of Tycho Brahe and his Tychonic Model of the solar system.  Included in the discussion are his researches and observations on the island of Hven as well as his work in the court of Holy Roman Emperor Rudolph II.

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Tycho's Quadrant Design

Tycho's Sextant Design

Painting of Uraniborg

Diagram of the Tychonic Model

 

Diagram of Stellar Parallax

 

Episode 3.14: Evaluating Copernicus

This week we evaluate the Copernicus heliocentric model of the solar system and compare it to Ptolemy's geocentric model.  We then look at the model's reception by Erasmus Reinhold, Gemma Frisius, Michael Maestlin and Tycho Brahe.  We conclude with Brahe's observations of the supernova of 1572 and the Great Comet of 1577.

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To see a simulation showing the equivalence of the various models, click on this link.  The yellow dot is the Sun, the blue dot is the Earth and the red dot is Mars.

Link to NAAP Copernican Orbit Simulator

Link to NAAP Ptolemaic Model Simulator

Erasmus Reinhold

 

Gemma Frisius

 

Episode 3.13.2: Supplemental-Copernicus and Rheticus, Part 2

A continuation of the the biographies of Nicolas Copernicus and Georg Joachim Rheticus from the time of the two men's meeting through the end of Rheticus' life and the publication of his trigonometric tables.  Rheticus' work on the Narratio and the publication will be discussed as will the tragic outcomes of his career.  The timely encounter with Valentin Otto is also covered.

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Episode 3.13.1: Supplemental-Copernicus and Rheticus, Part 1

The first part of a biographical examination of the two men who started the Scientific Revolution; Nicolas Copernicus and Georg Joachim Rheticus.

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Georg Joachim Rheticus

 

Frombork Cathedral

Episode 3.13: Revolution of the Spheres

In this episode we take a look at the scientific work of Nicolas Copernicus including the Commentariolus and On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres.  We look at the foundational principles of Copernicus' Heliocentric System and how it explains the motions of the planets.

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Nicolas Copernicus

Postulates 1-3 from the Commentariolus

Postulate 4-7 from the Commentariolus

Cover Page for De Revolutionibus

Diagram for Copernicus' Planetary Motion from De Revolutionibus

Diagram of the Solar System from De Revolutionibus

Diagram of Copernicus' Explanation of Retrograde Motion

Retrograde Motion Animation for Heliocentric System

Link to Interactive Planetary Simulation from the Nebraska Astronomy Applet Project 

 

 

Episode 3.12.2: Supplemental-The Master, The Student and the Cardinal

A more in-depth look at the lives of Georg Peuerbach, Johannes de Regio Monte (aka, Johanes Muller, aka Regiomontanus) and Cardinal Basilios Bessarion with a specific focus on the years between 1454 and 1476.  The development of the Epitome of the Almagest is discussed as is the role of astrology in late medieval and early modern culture, specifically in relation to the practice of medicine.

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Image from Peuerbach's New Theory of the Planets Diagram of Mercury's Motion Around the Earth

 

Image from Peuerbach's New Theory of the Planets Showing the Spheres Guiding the Motion of a Superior Planet

 

 

Johannes de Regio Monte 

 

Cardinal Basilios Bessarion

 

 

 

Episode 3.12.1: Supplemental-The JUNO Mission

We take a look at NASA's JUNO Mission and the news of last night's successful orbital insertion as well as the science mission to come.

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Juno Mission and Trajectory Design

 

 

 

 

 

Episode 3.12: Restoring Astronomy at the End of the Middle Ages

In this episode, we discuss the transition of European astronomy from the 13th century to the end of the 15th century.  We spend some time taking a look at the effects of The Great Mortality on the institutions of Europe and consider the factors of the rediscovery of atomism, the development of the printing press, the Fall of Constantinople and the rise of the new universities of central and eastern Europe in creating the conditions that would allow for new ideas to develop and spread.  We then conclude by looking at the work of Georg Peuerbach and Johannes Muller (Regiomontanus) that brings a full and complete understanding of the Hellenistic model Ptolemy.

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Georg Peurbach

 

 

 

Polemic Model for a Single Planet

 

 

Episode 3.10.2: Supplemental-A Brief History of Telling Time, The Clock

In this episode we look at subdividing the day with the development of time keeping devices from the gnomon and sundials to atomic clocks.

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Episode 3.10.1: Supplemental-A Brief History of Telling Time, The Calendar

We look at the development of the modern western calendar from prehistory through the time of the Roman Kings to the reforms of Julius Caesar (the Julian Calendar) and Pope Gregory XIII (the Gregorian Calendar).  Modern attempts at calendar reform are also discussed including the World Calendar and the International Fixed Calendar.

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Gaius Julius Caesar

Pope Gregory XIII

International Fixed Calendar

Episode 3.10: Astronomy Between the Plagues

We look at the rediscovery of astronomical texts by western Europe from the time of the Plague of Justinian to the Great Mortality.  The work of Martianus Capella, Isidore of Seville, Gerard of Cremona, Averroes and Johannes of Sacrobosco is examined and placed in a wider historical context.

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Isidore of Seville

Episode 3.9.1: Ibn al-Haytham

A brief scientific biography of the Islamic physicist, Ibn al-Haytham (Alhazen).  We look at his work in optics, mathematics, astronomy and the development of a method of scientific inquiry.

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Episode 3.9: Islamic Astronomy

In this episode we look at the astronomical work done during the Golden Age of Islamic Science.  This includes the work sponsored by the Abbasid caliph al-Ma'mun, the work of al-Balkhi, al-Battani, al-Biruni and ibn al-Haytham.  We conclude with material covering the Andalusian Revolt and the Maragha Revolution.

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Episode 3.8.1: Supplemental-South American Astronomy

In this episode we look at the role of astronomy in the culture of the Inca Empire and Kogi Tribe.  We examine the Cusco, Coricancha and the ceques and huacas that embody Inca religious practice along with the city of Machu Picchu.  Finally, we look at the woven universe of the Kogi tribe of northern Colombia.

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Episode 3.8: The Great Syntaxis

A look at the work of Ptolemy's Mathematical Treatise, otherwise known as the Almagest.  Hipparchus, precession, the Library of Alexandria and the broader Greco-Roman world are also discussed.

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Link to NAAP Ptolemaic Orbit Simulator

 

Claudius Ptolomaeus

 

Full Ptolemaic Cosmos (Simplified Model)

 

Ptolemaic Model w/Equant and Eccentric for a Single Minor Planet

 

Animation of Minor Planet Retrograde Motion

 

 

Episode 3.7: Hellenistic Astronomy from Aristarchus to Hipparchus

We look at the failure of the Eudoxian model of homocentric spheres and the models of Aristarchus of Samos, Apollonius of Perga and Hipparchus to proposed to replace it.  We also discuss the ideas of scientific realism and instrumentalism with respect to Hellenistic astronomy.

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Link to the University of Nebraska's Geocentric planetary orbit simulator (flash required)

Hipparchus

Conic Sections

Deferent-Epicycle Model of Planetary Motion

Eccentric Circle Model of the Sun's Motion

Equivalence of Deferent-Epicycle and Eccentric Models to produce motion.

 

Episode 3.6.1: Supplemental-Rounding the Earth

A look at the evidence gathered by the Greek, Hellenistic and Arabic natural philosophers that determined the size and shape of the Earth.  Aristotle's lines of evidence are discussed as are the measurements of Eratosthenes, Posidonius and al-Biruni.  We also take a look at the myth that it was Columbus who first thought the Earth was round and how it arose.

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Eratosthenes

Diagram of Eratosthenes' Method of Measurement

Diagram of Posidonius' Method of Measurement of the angle of Canopus

al-Biruni's Method of Measuring the Height of a Mountain

Diagram of al-Biruni's Method of Determining the Radius of the Earth

 

Episode 3.6: The Geometer's Universe

Episode36Podcast

A look at Greek astronomy from the time of Hesiod and Homer to the spherical model of Aristotle.  The writings of Thales, Empedocles, the Pythagoreans and Plato are considered before moving to the sphere's of Eudoxus and Callipus and the synthesis of physics and astronomy by the tutor of Alexander the Great.

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Link to Eudoxus' Spheres Animation

Eudoxus of Cnidus

 

 

 

Graphic of a Eudoxian Set of Spheres

 

 

 

A late medieval representation of Aristotle's Spheres

 

 

 

Episode 3.5.1: Supplemental-Mesoamerican Astronomy

Episode351Podcast

A discussion of some aspects of Mesoamerican astronomy including the Mayan calendar with its Calendar Round and Long Count Calendar and the cities of Chichen Itza, Palenque, Teotihuacan and Tenochtitlan.

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The Exploratorium's Page on the Caracol at Chichen Itza (Highly Recommended)

 

The Caracol at Chichen Itza

 

 

 

Upper Tower Window Alignments-Caracol

 

 

 

Foundation Base Astronomical Alignments-Caracol

 

 

El Castillo-Chichen Itza

 

 

 

Temple of the Inscriptions-Palenque

 

 

 

Sarcophagus Lid of Pacal at Palenque

 

 

Episode 3.5: The Necessary Tools

Episode35Podcast

In this episode we look at the practice of Babylonian astronomy and the tools that made it possible: cuneiform writing and arithmetical mathematics.  We discuss the circular star calendars of the MUL.Apin as well as the Enuma Elish.

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Circular Star Calendar

 

 

Episode 3.4.2: Supplemental-Unscripted Thoughts on LIGO

Epsiode342Podcast

Some unscripted thoughts about the detection of gravitational waves via direct observation by LIGO.  We briefly discuss some aspects of Einstein's Theory of Relativity, how interferometers work and what the significance of the detection is.  We also look at how experimental science is done and communicated.

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LIGO Sites in Washington and Louisanna

 

 

LIGO Interferometer Diagram

 

 

 

Gravitational Waves Produced by Orbiting Balck Holes

 

 

 

Processed Version of LIGO Detection Signal

 

 

 

Tweet from Lawrence Krauss

 

 

Episode 3.4.1: Supplemental-Native North American Astronomy

Episode341Podcast

This week we look at the narratives, sites and artifacts of the native North Americans in their practice of religion and astronomy.  We look at the traditions Chumash tribe of California, the kivas and spirals of the peoples of the Four Corners region including the Hopi, Navaho, Zuni and Anasazi, the Medicine Wheels of the central plains and the mounds and woodhenges of the Cahokia site of Mississippian peoples of Illinois.

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Bighorn Medicine Wheel (credit: Wikipedia Commons)

Bighorn Medicine Wheel Alignment Diagram

 

 

Episode 3.4: Wanderers

Episode34Podcast

A discussion of the motions of the planets in the night sky and some of the cultural associations that go with them.  Observations such as retrograde motion, maximum elongation of Mercury and Venus, astronomical conjunction and opposition are discussed.

Link to Animation of Mars' Retrograde Motion (NASA)

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Image Displaying Mars' Retrograde Motion

 

 

Episode 3.3.1: Supplemental-Ancient Chinese Astronomy

Episode331Podcast

In this episode we discuss the astronomy of the early dynastic period of China including the Xia, Shang and Zhou dynasties.  Specific attention is paid the the idea of the Mandate of Heaven and its relation to circumpolar astronomy.

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Image of the top of a clothes hamper found in a Chinese tomb displaying the 28 lunar lodges, the character for the North Pole and the Cerulean Dragon

 

 

Episode 3.3: Sun Cycles

Episode33Podcast

An examination of the motion of the Sun through the sky.  We discuss the use of the gnomon through history to make measurements and the Sun's path through the Zodiac on the ecliptic with special attention paid to the equinoxes and solstices.  We conclude with an discussion of the yearly calendar in many cultures.

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Gnomon Diagram

 

 

 

Ming Dynasty Gnomon with Shadow Length Measuring Scale

Sextant

 

 

Armillary Sphere

 

 

The Celestial Sphere

 

 

 

The Path of the Sun on the Ecliptic through the Zodiacal Constellations

 

 

 

 

Episode 3.2.1: Supplemental-Ancient Egyptian Astronomy

Episode321Podcast

This episode focuses on the practice of ancient Egyptian astronomy and its relationship to the culture's religion and agriculture.  Particular attention is paid to the motions of Sirius, the Great Pyramid at Giza, the "Stretching the Cord" ceremony and the association of the pharaohs with the Sun and heavens.

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Get, Nut and Shu

 

 

 

Horus, Osiris and Isis

 

 

The Great Pyramid at Giza

 

 

Episode 3.2: Moon Motions

Episode32Podcast

In this episode we consider observations of the Moon and the role it has in keeping time and representing resurrection in the heavens.  Defined are both sidereal months and synodic months and well as lunar calendar years.

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Episode 3.1: Looking Up

Episode31Podcast

This episode is a guided tour of the night sky looking in each of the cardinal directions.  East, or orient, for rising; West, or occident, for setting; north for the circumpolar stars and south for the Zodiac.

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Circumpolar Star Tracks

Episode 3.0: Beyond the Horizon

Episode30Podcast

In the introductory episode of our new season, we lay out the course for our next journey into the realm of cosmology.  We will begin with the by considering our modern disassociation with the sky and unfurl our sails to reconnect in the ways the most ancient astronomers did.  Our mission is to seek answers to the question, "What is our place in the cosmos?"

Grab your "go bag" and let's get ready to sail!

Music provided by Blue Dot Sessions.

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Preparing to Set Sail

Episode 1.4.1-Supplemental: Thoughts on Rosetta

Episode141Podcast

Unscripted toughts on the Rosetta mission and Philae probe's landing on comet 67P.

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