Essays on Astronomical History and Heritage: A Tribute to Wayne Orchiston on his 80th Birthday (Historical & Cultural Astronomy)

This multidisciplinary work celebrates Wayne Orchiston's career and accomplishments in historical and cultural astronomy on the occasion of his 80th birthday. Over thirty of the world’s leading scholars in astronomy, astrophysics, astronomical history, and cultural astronomy have come together to honor Wayne across a wide range of research topics. These themes include: • Astronomy and Society • Emergence of Astrophysics • History of Radio Astronomy • Solar System • Observatories and Instrumentation • Ethnoastronomy and Archeoastronomy This exceptional collection of essays presents an overview of Wayne’s prolific contributions to the field, along with detailed accounts of the book’s diverse themes. It is a valuable and insightful volume for both researchers and others interested in the fields of historical astronomy and cultural astronomy. Preface Wayne Orchiston and the History of Astronomy Contents About the Contributors Part I: Astronomy and Society Chapter 1: Cosmos and Culture: Linking the Heavens and the Earth 1 Introduction 2 Cultural Astronomy and World Heritage 3 Worldviews: From the Physical to the Biological Universe 4 Sky and Earth Joined: National Observatories, Time, and Navigation 5 Measuring the Universe: Transits of Venus 6 Discovery and Classification 7 Philosophy of Astronomy: The Effect of Culture on Astronomy 8 Envoi References Chapter 2: Sweden’s Thirty Days in February: Calendar Reform 1 Introduction 2 The Gregorian Calendar 3 The Reception of the Reform 4 The Swedish Way References Chapter 3: Early Star Charts of the Dutch East India Company 1 Preamble 2 The Eerste Schipvaert to the East Indies 3 Controversial Credit 4 Frederick de Houtman’s Second Voyage 5 De Houtman’s Southern Star Catalogue 6 Keyser or de Houtman? References Chapter 4: The Search for Extraterrestrial Civilizations: A Scientific, Technical, Political, Social, and Cultural Adventure 1 Introduction and Disclaimer 2 Background 3 SETI Conferences, Meetings, and Workshops 4 False Alarms 4.1 Project Ozma 4.2 The Wow Signal 4.3 CTA 102 4.4 Pulsars 5 SETI Becomes Too Important to Leave to the Scientists 6 Looking Ahead References Chapter 5: What’s in a Name? That Which We Call Anders’ Earthrise, as ‘Pasteur T,’ Didn’t Sound as Sweet (Adventures in Lunar Exploration and Nomenclature on the Fiftieth Anniversary of Apollo 8) 1 Introduction 2 Mount Marilyn—At Last! 3 The Other Two-Thirds 4 Apollo 8: A Mission for the Ages 5 Homeward 8 and Anders’ Earthrise Chapter 6: The Life and Science of Léon Foucault as a Muse 1 Introduction 2 Optics and the Speed of Light 3 The Foucault Pendulum 4 The Gyroscope 5 The Reflecting Telescope 6 Comments on the Corpus and Comparison with Transits of Venus and Mercury as Muses References Part II: Emergence of Astrophysics Chapter 7: The Mere Fanciful Abstractions of Science 1 Introduction 2 Sir William Herschel 3 The Nineteenth-Century Scientific Revolution 4 Astronomy in the Nineteenth Century 5 Instruments and Techniques 6 Lessons and Conclusions References Chapter 8: Henry Norris Russell’s Campaign to Make Physics the Core of Astrophysics 1 For Wayne 2 Intellectual and Social Origins 3 The Old Astrophysics 4 The New Astrophysics 5 Russell’s Shift 6 ‘Some Problems of Sidereal Astronomy’ References Chapter 9: Astronomical Travels in Asia 1 Introduction and China 2 Mongolia 2.1 National University of Mongolia (NUM) 2.2 The Research Center of Astronomy and Geophysics and the Khurel Togoot Observatory 3 Thailand and Laos 4 Uzbekistan 5 Mauritius 6 Tajikistan 7 North Korea 8 Iran 9 Conclusions References Chapter 10: The Discovery of the Coma Cluster of Galaxies 1 Introduction 2 William Herschel 3 John Herschel and Richard Proctor 4 Heinrich d’Arrest – The Real Discoverer 5 Later Visual Discoveries 6 Max Wolf and the Rise of Astrophysics References Chapter 11: From Aircraft Carriers to the Cosmos: Comparing and Contrasting the Careers of John Bolton and Joseph Weber 1 Introduction 2 Aircraft Carriers 3 John Bolton and Radio Galaxies 4 Joe Weber and Gravitational Radiation 5 Discussion References Part III: History of Radio Astronomy Chapter 12: Grote Reber in Tasmania 1 Introduction 2 Reber’s Early Period in Tasmania (1955–1960) 3 The Dennistoun Years 4 Reber and the Big Bang 5 Reber’s New Home 6 Record-Keeping, Thrift and Efficiency 7 Other Activities in Tasmania 8 Reber’s Death, and the Following Years 9 Concluding Remarks References Here National Radio Astronomy Observatory/Associated Universities, Inc./National Science Foundation, USA is abbreviated to NRAO/AUI/NSF Chapter 13: Wayne Orchiston and the History of Radio Astronomy 1 The Generations of Radio Astronomers 2 The First Histories of Radio Astronomy 3 Wayne Intervenes References Chapter 14: The Hole-in-the-Ground Telescope and the Discovery of the Galactic Centre 1 Introduction 2 Discovery of the Intense Radio Source Sagittarius A 3 Construction of the Hole-in-the-Ground Telescope 4 Upgrading the Hole-in-the-Ground 5 New Galactic Coordinates 6 Postscript References Chapter 15: Remains of the Day: Historical Remnants of the CSIRO Radiophysics Field Stations 1 Introduction 2 The Radiophysics Laboratory 3 Collaroy Plateau 4 Blue Fish Point (North Head) 5 Dover Heights 6 Potts Hill 7 Concluding Remarks References Chapter 16: History of Cosmic Magnetic Fields 1 Magnetic Fields in Antiquity and Modern Times 2 The Measurement of Magnetic Fields 3 Origin of Cosmic Magnetic Fields 4 Magnetic Fields in the Milky Way 4.1 Synchrotron Emission 4.2 The Galactic Centre 4.3 Zeeman Effect 4.4 Pulsars 5 Magnetic Fields in Nearby Galaxies 6 Magnetic Fields in Radio Galaxies and Quasars 7 Magnetic Fields in Clusters of Galaxies 8 New Developments in Observations of Magnetic Fields 9 A Summary References Part IV: Solar System Chapter 17: ‘Where’s Waldo?’ Leonard Waldo and the 1878 Total Solar Eclipse in Fort Worth, Texas 1 Leonard Waldo, Rising Star in Astronomy 2 At Harvard and the Solar Eclipse of 1878 Visible at Fort Worth, Texas 3 Waldo Moves to Yale 4 Waldo’s New Endeavors References Chapter 18: The Evolution of ‘Meteor’ as an Astronomical Trope 1560–1760 1 Introduction 2 Dictionary Definitions 1604–1676 3 The Ranks of Meteors 4 Dictionary Definitions 1677–1756 5 The Lexically Ambiguous Meteor 6 Transience 7 Astrology and Apparitions 8 Affairs of State 9 The Aurora Borealis 10 Meteorological 11 Fate: Premonitions and Providence 12 Blazing Stars, Comets and Meteors 13 Edmund Halley and the End of the Old Order 14 Beginning of the Modern Era References Chapter 19: New Zealand Observations of the Great Comet of 1881, C/1881 K1 (Tebbutt) 1 Introduction 2 John Tebbutt (1834–1916) 3 Tebbutt’s Discovery of Comet C/1881 K1 (Tebbutt) 4 The Evolution of Comet C/1881 K1 (Tebbutt) 5 New Zealand Observations 6 Scientific Furtherance of the Comet 7 Conclusion References Chapter 20: Solar Eclipses, Wayne Orchiston, and Me 1 Reflections References Chapter 21: Politics and the Dimensions of the Solar System: John Winthrop’s Observations of the Transits of Venus 1 Introduction 2 A Call to Action 3 Instruments and Observations, 1761 4 Politics and Troubles in the 1760s 5 Planning an Expedition for 1769 6 Observing the 1769 Transit of Venus from New England 7 Political Dimensions of the Solar System 8 Epilogue and Acknowledgments Bibliography Archival and Museum Sources Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts Harvard Art Museums, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts Division of European and American Art, Harvard Portrait Collection Harvard University Archives, Cambridge, Massachusetts Harvard University. Corporation Papers. 1st series, supplements to the Harvard College Papers, circa 1650–1828. UAI 5.120. Harvard University Archives. Harvard University. Corporation papers, 1st series, supplements to the Harvard College Papers, volumes 1 and 2, 1636–1846 (nineteenth-century manuscript copy). UAI 5.110, Harvard University Archives. Harvard University. Corporation Records: Minutes, 1643–1989. 1st series, volume 2 (September 17, 1750-April 23, 1778). UAI 5.30 Box 2, Harvard University Archives. https://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.ARCH:36932171 Harvard University. Harvard College Papers. 1st series, 1636–1825, 1831. vol. 2 (1764–1785, 1793). UAI 5.100. Harvard University. Harvard College Papers. 2nd series, in original quarto, Volume 8 (1836–1838). UAI 5.125 Box 8. Harvard University. Treasurer. Records of the Treasurer of Harvard University, 1669–2007. UAI 50.5. Harvard University Archives. Science Museum, London Chapter 22: Investigation of Shang Dynasty Oracle Bones and Eclipses 1 Translation of Oracle Bone 11506 from Pit YH127 2 Day Number in the Chinese 60-Day Continuous Cycle 3 Position of Capital, Yin 4 Earth Rotation – ΔT 5 Eclipse Calculations 6 Total Solar Eclipse, 5 June 1302 BC 7 Other Possible Total Eclipses at Yin in the Shang Dynasty, 1350–1050 BC 8 Conclusion References Chapter 23: On Jean-Charles Houzeau and Hilmar Duerbeck: How Transits of Venus Molded Their Late Professional Lives 1 Jean-Charles Houzeau De Lehaie 2 Hilmar Willi Dürbeck 3 The IAU Commission 41 Working Group 4 Two Gentlemen Scientists, Two Cultures 5 Editorial Activities References Chapter 24: William Herschel and the Moon 1 Introduction 2 The Moon Before Herschel 3 ‘Effects of Art Rather Than of Nature’ 4 Lunar Volcanoes 5 Discussion References Part V: Observatories and Instrumentation Chapter 25: The ‘Nashville Trio’ of Astronomers at the Dyer Observatory in Tennessee: Carl Seyfert, Robert Hardie and John Dewitt 1 Introduction 1.1 Dyer Observatory Background 1.2 Specifications of the Dyer Observatory 2 Three Dyer Observatory Astronomers 2.1 Carl K. Seyfert 2.1.1 A Brief Biography 2.1.2 Seyfert’s Contributions to the Dyer Observatory 2.1.3 Seyfert’s Contributions to Astronomy 2.2 Robert H. Hardie 2.2.1 A Brief Biography 2.2.2 Hardie’s Contributions to the Dyer Observatory 2.2.3 Hardie’s Contributions to Astronomy 2.3 John H. Dewitt, Jr 2.3.1 A Brief Biography 2.3.2 Dewitt’s Contribution to Dyer Observatory 2.3.3 Dewitt’s Contributions to Astronomy 3 Conclusion References Chapter 26: Early Photometers at the Royal Observatory, Cape 1 Fabry Photometry 2 The Fabry Method as Used at the Cape 3 Photoelectric Photometry 4 The Advent of Amplifiers 4.1 Transfer to the 13-Inch Telescope 5 The Second Photometer 5.1 End-Window Photomultipliers 6 The Leiden Photometer at the Radcliffe Observatory 7 The 18-Inch Reflector 8 An Occultation Photometer References Chapter 27: Evolutions in the History of Visual Time Signals for Mariners 1 Introduction 1.1 Time Ball Supply by Maudslay, Sons & Field 1.2 Early Development of Time Signals 1.3 Aims of the Present Study 1.4 Accuracy Requirements 2 Admiralty Lists of Time Signals 2.1 Structure of Admiralty Lists 2.2 Warning About Use of Sound Signals 3 Evolution of Time Signals from 1880 to 1947 4 Visual Time Signals in 1947 5 Time Signals in France 5.1 Admiralty List Entries for France Between 1880 and 1947 5.2 Time Disc at Cherbourg 5.3 Time Signals at Brest 5.4 Balloon Signals at Fouras and Rochefort 6 Time Signals in Belgium and the Netherlands 6.1 Admiralty List Entries for Belgium and the Netherlands Between 1880 and 1947 7 Time Signals in Indonesia 7.1 Admiralty List Entries for Indonesia Between 1880 and 1947 8 Time Signals in South Africa 8.1 Admiralty List Entries for South Africa Between 1880 and 1947 8.2 The Signal at Port Elizabeth 9 Time Signals in New Zealand 9.1 Admiralty List Entries for New Zealand Between 1880 and 1947 9.2 Wellington Time Signals 9.3 Auckland Time Signals 10 Time Signals in North America 10.1 Admiralty List Entries for North America Between 1880 and 1947 10.2 Caged Time Balls in Canada 10.3 Examples of Time Balls in the USA 11 Postscript References Further Reading Chapter 28: Closing Encounters: The Efforts of the NSW Branch of the British Astronomical Association to Save Sydney Observatory 1 Introduction 2 The Mooted Move of Sydney Observatory 1906 and 1907 3 The Dismissal of the Government Astronomer 1925 and 1926 4 Attempted Reductions of State Observatories 1932–1936 5 The Ending of Research at Sydney Observatory in 1982 6 Wayne Orchiston and the NSW Branch of the BAA 7 Concluding Remarks References Chapter 29: Finding Colonial New Zealand’s Place in the World: Astronomy and a Geodesical Surveyor 1 Introduction 1.1 The Development of a Survey System 1.2 Meridional Circuits and the Need for Astronomy 1.3 Mount Cook Observatory 2 Charles Adams – Biography 3 Survey Observatory, Mount Cook, Wellington 3.1 Description of the Survey Observatory 3.2 Meridian Marks (Shown in Fig. 29.1) 3.3 Equipment 3.3.1 Astronomical (Sidereal) Clock (Fig. 29.8) 3.3.2 Zenith Telescope (Fig. 29.9) 3.3.3 Transit Instrument 3.4 Equipment Calibrations 3.4.1 Zenith Telescope 3.4.1.1 Micrometer 3.4.1.2 Level Bubble 3.4.2 Transit Instrument 3.4.2.1 Intervals of the Wires 3.4.2.2 Micrometer 3.4.2.3 Level Bubble 4 Latitude 4.1 The Horrebow–Talcott Method 4.2 Latitude Observations 4.3 Latitude of the Survey Observatory 5 Longitude 5.1 The Telegraphic Method 5.1.1 Time by Star Observations 5.1.2 Exchange of Signals 5.2 The Quest for Longitude 5.2.1 The First Attempt: 1882 5.2.2 Adams Answers the Request 5.2.3 The Observations 5.2.4 The Calculations 5.2.4.1 Determining the Sidereal Clock Offset 5.2.4.2 Determining Difference in Longitude 5.2.5 Longitude of the Survey Observatory 5.2.5.1 A Result – Almost 5.2.5.2 A Result – At Last 6 Concluding Remarks References Part VI: Ethnoastronomy & Archaeoastronomy Chapter 30: Inca Cultural Astronomy 1 Introduction 2 Inca Astronomy 2.1 Kenko Grande 2.2 Lacco 2.3 Huaca 44 2.4 Q’espiwanka 2.5 Machu Picchu and Llactapata 2.6 The Incas’ Milky Way 2.7 Local Cuisine 3 Conclusion References Chapter 31: The Astronomy of the Aboriginal Peoples of the Sydney Basin 1 Introduction 2 Language Groups and Uncertainties 3 Methods and Theory 4 Results & Analysis 4.1 Something Falling from the Sky (2 Codes) 4.2 Culture Heroes (4 Codes) 4.3 The Moon (7 Codes) 4.4 The Sun (4 Codes) 4.5 Ascent of a Culture Hero to the Sky (3 Codes) 4.6 Ceremony (2 Codes) 4.7 Characteristics of Individual Stars (6 Codes) 4.8 Creation Stories (4 Codes) 4.9 Breaking Law Has Consequences (6 Codes) 4.10 Seven Sisters Creation (1 Code) 4.11 Description of Physical Features and Environment (6 Codes) 4.12 Resources (1 Code) 5 Thematic Connections by Language Group 6 Sydney Basin Rock and Astronomy 7 Discussion 8 Conclusions Appendix 1: Database of Stories in Table Format Bibliography Chapter 32: Using the Significant Horizons Methodology to Determine Potential Astronomical Use of Aboriginal Stone Arrangements 1 Introduction 2 Methodology 2.1 Confirming Precise Locations of Sites 2.2 Selection of Astronomical Object and Phenomenon for Alignment Analysis 2.3 Generating Horizon Profiles 2.4 Generating the Alignment Matrices 2.5 Converting Alignment Matrices to Rankings 2.6 Statistical Analysis 3 Results and Discussion 3.1 Comparative Site Rankings for Each Cultural Site 3.2 Accumulative Bulk Data Analysis 3.3 Alignments on the Celestial Emu 4 Discussion and Summary Appendix A: Coordinates and Horizon Profiles of 96 Randomly Selected Sites Used in this Study References Chapter 33: Astronomical Phenomena in Premodern Armenian and Georgian Written Sources 1 Introduction 2 Written Sources of Astronomical Phenomena 3 A Georgian Brontologion 4 A Possible Georgian Eclipse References Correction to: What’s in a Name? That Which We Call Anders’ Earthrise, as ‘Pasteur T,’ Didn’t Sound as Sweet (Adventures in Lunar Exploration and Nomenclature on the Fiftieth Anniversary of Apollo 8) Correction to: Chapter 5 in: S. Gullberg, P. Robertson (eds.), Essays on Astronomical History and Heritage, Historical & Cultural Astronomy, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-29493-8_5 Index