Category Archives: Historical

A Powerful Letter

Posted on February 12, 2018 by astronomydylan

Chapter 3 explained to us how Galileo solidified the Copernican revolution, and sealed the case on how Earth would be viewed in perspective of the universe. In 1615, Galileo wrote a letter to Grand Duchess Christina, in attempt to accommodate his observations’ confirmation of Copernicanism with the doctrines and scripture of the Church. He held … Continue reading A Powerful Letter → Continue reading →

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The Map in the Stars

Posted on February 12, 2018 by Nathan Xiao

Getting around is always a difficult task. Even with supercomputers that fit in the palm of our hand and tell us how to get literally anywhere, we still get lost. That being said, it was much more difficult to navigate when all we had were the stars in the sky. Celestial navigation is a craft … Continue reading The Map in the Stars → Continue reading →

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The Bighorn Medicine Wheel

Posted on February 12, 2018 by alcottastr2110

Bighorn Medicine Wheel (View from above)   It is very interesting to think about ancient cultures that studied astronomy hundreds or even thousands of years ago. Among these cultures were the Native American tribes. Native Americans built structures, now known as medicine wheels, in places across what is now the US. One of the most … Continue reading The Bighorn Medicine Wheel → Continue reading →

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Archeoastronomy – Armillary Sphere and Horolgoe in China

Posted on February 10, 2018 by dempsy

Through out the history of China, people are curious about how Sun, Moon and stars move according to Earth, and astronomers have created different tools to assist observing stars. Armillary Sphere The earliest well-known tool is Armillary Sphere (Chinese: 浑天仪), which is designed by Zhang Heng in 117 AD and completed in 125 AD. An … Continue reading Archeoastronomy – Armillary Sphere and Horolgoe in China → Continue reading →

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Blog 3: The Golden Record

Posted on February 10, 2018 by battismm

The Voyager Golden Record is a phonograph record that was launched on Voyager 1 and Voyager 2. It contains a variety of sounds and images that are meant to portray the diversity of life and culture on Earth. The 116 images were carefully selected by a team led by astronomer Carl Sagan.  The cover of … Continue reading Blog 3: The Golden Record Continue reading →

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Archeoastronomy

Posted on February 8, 2018 by therestisstardust

Last year, I decided to go out on a limb and enroll in ASTR 3000, which is better known as Principles of Astrophysics. I figured as an engineering major, the physics aspect wouldn’t be too unfamiliar- but little did I anticipate that the class would make me fall deeply in love with the subject of […] Continue reading →

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Tell Us How the Heavens Flow: the Life and Execution of Giordano Bruno (Blog #3)

Posted on February 8, 2018 by Chris K.

On February 17th, we will pass the 418th anniversary of Giordano Bruno’s execution. Bruno, while not as well-known as some of other cosmologists and theologians of the 16th century, proposed many theories which today are considered scientific fact. He took the Copernican model of the universe and took it to absolute extremes. While the Earth … Continue reading Tell Us How the Heavens Flow: the Life and Execution of Giordano Bruno (Blog #3) → Continue reading →

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Historical Astronomers in Context

Posted on February 8, 2018 by stefanssolarsystem

My chosen astronomer is Nicolaus Copernicus who was born on February 19, 1473 and died on May 24, 1543. In 1512, Michelangelo finished the Sistine Chapel, which is regarded as one of the most notable interior space paintings of all time and took Michelangelo four years to complete. In 1520 the Stockholm Bloodbath saw King … Continue reading Historical Astronomers in Context → Continue reading →

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Historical Astronomers in Context

Posted on February 8, 2018 by stefanssolarsystem

My chosen astronomer is Nicolaus Copernicus who was born on February 19, 1473 and died on May 24, 1543. In 1512, Michelangelo finished the Sistine Chapel, which is regarded as one of the most notable interior space paintings of all time and took Michelangelo four years to complete. In 1520 the Stockholm Bloodbath saw King … Continue reading Historical Astronomers in Context → Continue reading →

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On This Day in Astronomy History…

Posted on February 7, 2018 by maxflorsheim

  Thirty-four years ago today, on February 7th 1984, NASA Astronaut Bruce McCandless II became the first person to fly untethered from their spacecraft. McCandless, who just recently passed December 21st at the age of 80, was able to travel 320 feet from the space shuttle Challenger without any connection to the shuttle. He accomplished […] Continue reading →

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