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.
Link to Eudoxus' Spheres Animation
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.
The Exploratorium's Page on the Caracol at Chichen Itza (Highly Recommended)
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.
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.
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.
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
