Books on Ancient Astronomical sites etc

[pmrid (Peter)]

I'm chasing ideas. Now that I am supposedly retired, and dangerously close to becoming an idle dilettante, I have a half-formed idea about having good look at the story of astronomy in the very beginning - at how different cultures have advanced the study of the solar system and the greater universe in different ages and places whether as a scientific inquiry or for the purpose of their religions or the like. I am building up a reading list for myself and wondered if any members had any recommendations that I could pursue.

I am not necessarily limiting my inquiry to the post-Ptolemy period of the Greeks. My reading to date suggests that there are sites scatted all over the globe that may or may not have been astronomical observatories of one sort or another significantly predating the Greeks - and there does not seem to be a heck of a lot around that deals with them comprehensively.

Peter

[Wavytone]

You could start with Otto Neugebauer's 'Astronomy and History', it is a selection of academic published articles. Covers exactly what you're asking for.

[pvelez (Pete)]

Peter

you can't go past Cosmos by John North. I used it for my SAO course on the history of astronomy last semester. It covers pre-historic astronomy eg Stonehenge as well as Egypt and Babylon - as well as Indian and Chinese astronomy.

Look at Booko for the cheapest copy - see this link

http://booko.com.au/9780226594415

Pete

[pmrid (Peter)]

Thanks guys. Suggestions appreciated. I've been scouring the databases through the library at the Uni where I still hold an Honorary position which carries with it a very useful access to their library. These will get me started. I'm heading to South America in a couple of weeks and wanted to have some reading I can carry on my iPad or Android device.

Pete did you do that SAO course as a stand-alone module or as part of their Masters programme?

I would be very interested in going down that path if it's open.

Peter

[pvelez (Pete)]

Originally Posted by pmrid

Pete did you do that SAO course as a stand-alone module or as part of their Masters programme?

I would be very interested in going down that path if it's open.

Peter

Peter

I started doing the SAO course to see how I'd go. I have an Arts/Law background and haven't looked seriously at physics/maths since high school in 1982. So I started with the Graduate Certificate program ie 4 subjects out of 16 available. When I managed to get through those ok I decided to keep going. 8 subjects gets you a Graduate Diploma - which I completed last semester. So with only 4 subjects to go for a Masters, I'm set on finishing it all now.

My first semester was tough - I took 2 units concurrently while working full time. Luckily it coincided with the GFC and I had a pretty light load that year - I'd not attempt 2 subjects again.

I'd encourage you to try it - its demanding but very rewarding. What I love about the course is that each subject requires you to take a project worth 30% of your assessment (though I believe that this is changing for some of the introductory subjects). You can do this by internet research but my preference is for the practical tasks. Its been great to learn how to use my gear to do real science. I've observed double stars and asteroids, calculated the rotation period of 2 asteroids and the period of a RR Lyrae and a Cepheid variable and refined my astrophotography skills doing a deep image of a galaxy cluster. The highlight was last year when I took a spectrum of 3C 273, a bright quasar, and then derived its redshift from the change in the emission lines from what I'd expect for a nearby object.

Let me know if you'd like to know anything more.

Pete

[Starman73]

Hello there,

I would like to recommend a book a read a few years ago, Skywatchers, Shamans and Kings by E.C Krupp. I found this a very interesting read into astronomy of the ancients.

Have fun.

Paul

[Scorpius51 (John)]

Hi Peter

"In Search of Ancient Astronomies" is an interesting read.

http://www.amazon.com/Search-Ancient.../dp/0070355568

Cheers
John

[pmrid (Peter)]

Thanks John, that book is also written bt Dr. Krupp - the author of the book Skywatchers, Shamans and Kings recommended immediately below by Paul.

Thank you both for your suggestions.

Peter

[Erg]

Something by Erich von Däniken??

Pete

[pmrid (Peter)]

Originally Posted by Erg

Something by Erich von Däniken??

Pete

Very amusing!! Is he still around? Or has he finally been kidnapped by aliens and spirited away to the other end of the galaxy?

Peter