*************************************************************************** * * * ELEKTRONISCHE MITTEILUNGEN ZUR ASTRONOMIEGESCHICHTE * * * * Herausgegeben vom Arbeitskreis Astronomiegeschichte * * in der Astronomischen Gesellschaft * * * * Nr. 59, 18. Dezember 2001 * * * * Redaktion: Wolfgang R. Dick * * * *************************************************************************** Inhalt ------ 1. Ausstellungen 2. Kolloquium zur Astronomiegeschichte in Wien 3. Conference Announcement: Ethnoastronomy in the West African Sub-Region 4. Conference Announcement: Figures de l'antinewtonianisme/Faces of anti-Newtonianism, 1672-1832 5. Call for Papers: Nathaniel Bowditch and the Art and Science of Navigation, 1802-2002 6. Peter D. Hingley: Transit of Venus Conference, 2004 7. Tagungen 2002-2004 Danksagung Impressum ........................................................................... Item 1 EMA Nr. 59, 18. Dezember 2001 ........................................................................... Ausstellungen ------------- (Aus: Electronic Newsletter for the History of Astronomy, No. 48, December 17, 2001, Item 2. Fuer EMA bearbeitet.) From 22 November to 21 December 2001, the Royal Library of Belgium (Brussels) displays a small exposition entitled "From the Roman to the 16th Century Surveyor" (Van de Romeinse tot de 16de-eeuwse landmeters/ Des agrimensores romains aux arpenteurs du XVIe siecle). Although mainly concerned with books there are also astrolabes and reconstructions of Roman measuring instruments. Admission free. Koninklijke Bibliotheek van Belgie/Bibliotheque royale de Belgique, Nassaukapel/Chapelle de Nassau, phone: 02/519.53.55 Further information: http://www.kbr.be/info/act/expo/geometre/geometre_nl.html The Israel Museum in Jerusalem has been staging an exhibition entitled "Written in the Stars - Art and Symbolism of the Zodiac" from 20 March to 31 December 2001. A large number of exhibits illustrated the role of the astrological signs in art painting and sculpture, literature and religion, but also in connection with everyday artefacts. Celestial globes from the 17th and 18th centuries (on loan from Vienna) complete the lively exhibition with its very useful English-language inscriptions. The catalogue, also in English, is another addition to the museum's list of internationally known publications. Catalogue: Written in the Stars. Art and Symbolism of the Zodiac. Catalogue No. 452. 144 pp., 85 illustrations. ISBN 965-278-273-4. Soft cover $27.50 + shipping. Can be ordered online from: http://www.imj.org.il/shop/new.html The Israel Museum, POB 71117, Jerusalem 91710, Israel, Tel: 972-2-6708811, Fax: 972-2-5631833. URL: http://www.imj.org.il/ Opening hours: Monday, Wednesday, Saturday and holidays: 10 am - 4 pm; Tuesday: 4 - 9 pm; Thurs: 10 am - 9 pm; Friday and holiday eves: 10 am - 2 pm; Sunday: closed. A web version of the exhibition can be seen at: http://www.imj.org.il/zodiac/index-e.html [Source: The International Coronelli Society for the Study of Globes, News 2001, p. 19; Web site] Derzeit wird eine Ausstellung ueber Leben und Werk von Werner Heisenberg in Leipzig und Muenchen gezeigt. Die Ausstellung soll dem Beschauer einem konzentrierten Eindruck in Leben und Werk des grossen Physikers und Menschen Heisenberg vermitteln. Verwendet wurden die folgenden historischen Dokumente: Fotos aus allen Lebenjahren und Wirkungsorten; Zeugnisse und Urkunden; Briefe zu freudigen und leidvollen Ereignissen; Ausschnitte aus Zeitungen, Manuskripten und gedruckten Arbeiten; Deklarationen und Meinungsaeusserungen. Die Aussstellung wurde am Universitaetsarchiv der Universitaet Leipzig (Gerald Wiemers) und am Max-Planck-Institut fuer Physik (Helmut Rechenberg) zusammengestellt. Sie wird im naechsten Jahr als Wanderausstellung durch Deutschland fortgesetzt. 3. Dezember 2001 - 15. Januar 2002: Physikalisches Institut, Linnestrasse 5, Leipzig Oeffnungszeiten: Taeglich von 10.00 bis 17.00 Uhr, ausser an Sonn- und Feiertagen. 5. Dezember 2001 - 7. Januar 2002: Max-Planck-Haus, Hofgartenstr. 8, 80539 Muenchen Oeffnungszeiten: Taeglich von 10.00 bis 17.00 Uhr, ausser an Sonn- und Feiertagen. Weitere Informationen: http://www.heisenberg-centennial.de/ http://www.uni-leipzig.de/archiv/heisenberg/ There is a small exhibition from 20 November 2001 to February 2002 at the Musee des Arts et Metiers in Paris, "Time in the temples of ancient Egypt", centered upon a recently acquired statuette, formerly in the Time Museum, Rockford. Musee des Arts et Metiers, 60, rue Reaumur, 75003 Paris, France URL: http://www.cnam.fr/museum/ [Source: Minutes of the 20th Plenary Session of the Scientific Instrument Commission, http://www.sic.iuhps.org/conf2001/se_mins.htm] "Footprints of the lion: Isaac Newton at work" is the title of an exhibition at the Cambridge University Library from 9 October 2001 to 23 March 2002. It is the first to illustrate the complete range of Newton's intellectual activities in physics, astronomy, mathematics, natural philosophy, theology, and alchemy. It is also the first time that some of Newton's earliest letters and papers, preserved in the Macclesfield Collection and recently purchased by the University Library, have been placed on public display. Cambridge University Library, West Road, Cambridge, CB3 9DR, England, Phone: 01223 333000, Fax: 01223 333160, e-mail: exhibitions@lib.cam.ac.uk, URL: http://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/ Opening hours: Monday-Friday 09.00-18.00, Friday 09.00-16.30 Admission free. "Exploring Space" is the title of a special exhibitions in two museums in Hampshire, England. Plenty of models and hands-on experiments as well as historic astronomic instruments are on display. 15 September 2001 - 5 January 2002: Westbury Manor Museum, West Street, Fareham, Hampshire, UK, phone: (01329) 824895 Opening times: Monday to Friday 10am - 5pm, Saturday 10am - 4pm Admission is free. 19 January to 27 April 2002: Eastleigh Museum, 25 High Street, Eastleigh, Hampshire UK, phone: (02380) 643026 Opening times: Tuesday to Friday 10am - 5pm, Saturday 10am - 4pm Admission is free. More information: http://www.hants.gov.uk/museum/exhibitions/space.html On October 10, 2001, Philosophical Hall (American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia, PA) launched its first ongoing exhibition program in 190 years with the opening of the exhibition "From the Laboratory to the Parlor: Scientific Instruments in Philadelphia, 1750-1875." On view until 31 March 2003, this exhibition draws on the Society's fine arts and objects collections along with period books and archival materials from the library. Objects include surveying instruments used to draw the Mason-Dixon Line. American Philosophical Society, 104 South Fifth Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106-3385, USA, phone (215) 440-3400 URL: http://www.amphilsoc.org/exhibitions/ ........................................................................... Item 2 EMA Nr. 59, 18. Dezember 2001 ........................................................................... Kolloquium zur Astronomiegeschichte in Wien ------------------------------------------- Ort: Kuffner-Sternwarte, Johann Staud-Strasse 10, 1160 Wien, Oesterreich Termin: Freitag, 18. Januar 2002 Zeit: 14.00-19.00 Uhr Tagungsbeitrag: frei Programm: 14.00: Begruessung 14.15: "Mensch im Kosmos - Vision und Realitaet im Ablauf von Jahrhunderten" Juergen Hamel 15.15: "Astronomie von Olbers bis Schwarzschild - Buchpraesentation" Juergen Hamel, Peter Habison 15.30: "Die Sternwarte des Bierbrauers Moriz von Kuffner" Peter Habison 16.30: Kaffeepause 17.00: "Sterne ueber dem Nil - Vortrag und Buchpraesentation" Dieter B. Herrmann 18.00: "Datierung einer aegyptischen Klepsydra aus Ephesos" Maria G. Firneis 18.30: Schlussworte Kontakte: Peter Habison, Kuffner-Sternwarte, Johann Staud-Strasse 10, 1160 Wien, Oesterreich, Tel.: +43 1 9148130, Fax: +43 1 9148130/31 e-mail: phabison@kuffner.ac.at [Der Text wurde von Peter Habison zur Verfuegung gestellt.] ........................................................................... Item 3 EMA Nr. 59, 18. Dezember 2001 ........................................................................... Conference Announcement: ------------------------ Ethnoastronomy in the West African Sub-Region --------------------------------------------- (Aus: Electronic Newsletter for the History of Astronomy, No. 48, December 17, 2001, Item 3) The Centre for Advanced Humanities and Social Research, Faculty of Arts, University of Nigeria, Nsukka Presents an International Conference on ETHNO-ASTRONOMY IN THE WEST AFRICAN SUB-REGION Date: 2002 May 8 - 11 Venue: University of Nigeria, Nsukka GENERAL INFORMATION The Organising Committee of the International Conference on Ethno-Astronomy in West African Sub-region (Africa_ethnoastro 2002) invites you to participate at the Conference. The aims of the Conference include the following: * To unearth the body of traditional knowledge of astronomy by peoples of the West African sub-region. * To re-interprete this body of knowledge in the light of modern/western astronomy. * To understand the ways and degrees through which this knowledge and beliefs shaped the lived realities of the people of this region. * Sub-Themes: - Theoretical and Methodological Issues in the study of Ethno-Astronomy - Cosmogonies and Creation Myths - Indigenous Lore of Celestial Bodies - Ethno-Astronomy and indigenous calendars, cycles, seasons, and festivals. - Cultural Representations of Ethno-Astronomy - Comparative Studies on Ethno-Astronomy - Ethno-Astronomy and the Environment Registration/Participation fee: US $100.00. Payment for local participants shall be made in cash or certified bank draft payable to: Damian Opata Director, Centre for Advanced Humanities & Social Research, Faculty of Arts, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Foreign participants should pay on arrival. CALL FOR PAPERS Intending participants are invited to submit titles and abstracts of papers (preferably by e-mail), which must be in English and not more than 200 words. Choice of presentation (oral or poster) should be indicated. The abstract should bear the title of the work, name(s) (surname first) and address(es) of the author(s). The name of the presenter for a jointly authored abstract should be underlined. Acceptance for presentation shall be based on the content, relevance to the theme of the conference and time of receipt. Deadline for submission shall be December 22, 2001. Download the plain text Registration Form from the conference's web site (see below), complete it and e-mail to: Johnson Urama Secretary, LOC Africa_ethnoastro 2002 Dept. of Physics & Astronomy University of Nigeria, Nsukka. e-mail: johnson@hartrao.ac.za or johnsonurama@yahoo.com TIMETABLE OF EVENTS First Announcement - 2001 Aug. 15 Deadline for submission of abstracts - 2001 Dec. 22 Second announcement - 2002 Mar. 05 Submission of full paper - 2002 May 08 Publishing of the Proceedings - 2003 Feb. Sponsorship Depending on the availability of funds, there could be partial sponsorship of some participants. All those needing sponsorship are requested to e-mail the organiser not later than the end of October, 2001. More information: www.hartrao.ac.za/conferences/ethno2002/ethno2002.html [Source: Web site] ........................................................................... Item 4 EMA Nr. 59, 18. Dezember 2001 ........................................................................... Conference Announcement: ------------------------ Figures de l'antinewtonianisme/Faces of anti-Newtonianism, 1672-1832 -------------------------------------------------------------------- (Aus: Electronic Newsletter for the History of Astronomy, No. 48, December 17, 2001, Item 4) 24-25 May 2002 Center for History and Philosophy of Science, Department of Philosophy, University of Paris-X (Nanterre), France CALL FOR PAPERS: Historians have often regarded the opposition encountered by Newtonianism during its triumphal progress in the 18th and 19th centuries as little more than conservative reaction or temporary misunderstanding. Yet from Leibniz and Berkeley to Goethe and the Naturphilosophen, powerful critics manifested profound dissatisfaction with both the scientific content and the philosophical foundations of Newtonianism. The aim of the colloquium is to engage in a critical reexamination of anti-Newtonianism by exploring its diverse origins, the content of its arguments and practices, and its scientific and philosophical consequences. The colloquium will be organized around four major themes (subthemes listed are indicative, not exhaustive): 1. The principals of Newtonian mechanics. Cartesian reactions to the publication of the Principia Mathematica; critiques of Leibniz, Huygens, Fontenelle, and others of central Newtonian concepts (attraction, force, relative and absolute motion, space and time.) 2. Theories of matter. Reception of and resistance to the research program of the Queries in Newton's Opticks; the encounter of Newtonianism with established research traditions in chemistry. 3. Hypothesis and experiment. The 18th century epistemological debate regarding the legitimacy of the experimental method and inductive generalization, the proscription of hypotheses, the relation of mathematics to experience, and the validity of the method of fluxions; competing forms of experimental practice in the work of Rizetti, Mariotte, Goethe, and others. 4. Scientific knowledge and human culture. The evolving (post-Principia) image of the cultural role of natural science; philosophical (Berkeley) and poetical (Swift, Coleridge, Blake, Goethe) critiques of the Newtonian conception of nature; theological objections to Newtonianism. To propose a paper (30 minutes, either in French or English), please send a short abstract and a curriculum vitae to either: Philippe Hamou Universite de Paris X - Nanterre, Departement de Philosophie 200, avenue de la Republique, 92001 Nanterre, France tel/fax : (+33)-1-40-97-75-17 or (+33)-1-42-23-38-32 e-mail: PhilippeHamou@aol.com Neil Ribe Institut de Physique du Globe 4 Place Jussieu, 75252 Parix cedex 05, France tel (+33)-1-44-27-24-79 fax (+33)-1-44-27-24-81 e-mail: ribe@ipgp.jussieu.fr [Text provided by Neil Ribe.] ........................................................................... Item 5 EMA Nr. 59, 18. Dezember 2001 ........................................................................... Call for Papers: ---------------- Nathaniel Bowditch and the Art and Science of Navigation, 1802-2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------- (Aus: Electronic Newsletter for the History of Astronomy, No. 48, December 17, 2001, Item 5) Salem State College, 8-10 November 2002 The Bowditch Institute of Salem will celebrate the bicentennial of Nathaniel Bowditch's "The New American Practical Navigator" with a conference on the topic, "Nathaniel Bowditch: The Art and Science of Navigation, 1802-2002" to be held at Salem State College in Salem, Massachusetts, November 8-10, 2002. The conference will use Bowditch as a touchstone for exploring the state of the maritime sciences and commerce of his age, as well as the legacy of his contributions into the 21st century. Befitting the broad range of Bowditch's activities - five commercial voyages to the East, advancement of celestial navigation and maritime cartography, contributions to the development of insurance and civic institutions - we welcome papers and panel proposals that address a broad range of aspects of the topic, historical or current, in both the humanities and sciences. Interdisciplinary approaches are encouraged, and the Bowditch Institute warmly invites participation by scholars, teachers, and museum and historic site professionals to join us in exploring the interconnections between maritime history, science, and commerce in the Early Republic, as well as Bowditch's legacy in these areas today. The conference will take place in historic Salem seaport, and will feature venues at the home of Nathaniel Bowditch (under restoration), the Peabody Essex Museum, the Salem Athaneum, the Salem Maritime National Historic Site, and Salem State College. Attendant activities will include museum and historic site visits, including tours of the replica 1797 merchant vessel "Friendship". Proposals of not more than 250 words and a one-page c.v. must be received by March 31, 2002. Send to: Dr. Dane Morrison, Chair, Department of History, Salem State College, 352 Lafayette Street, Salem, MA 01970, USA. E-mail: . Phone: (978) 542-7134. Website: www.nathanielbowditch.org [Source: Press Release distributed through the Rete discussion group.] ........................................................................... Item 6 EMA Nr. 59, 18. Dezember 2001 ........................................................................... Transit of Venus Conference, 2004 --------------------------------- By Peter D. Hingley, London, England This is the first announcement of a conference planned to take place in Preston, Lancashire, England area in June 2004, to coincide with the first Transit of Venus for 121 years, on the 7th of that month (Monday). The main organiser is Professor Gordon Bromage of the University of Central Lancashire. The conference will cover all aspects of distance measurement in Astronomy, with a substantial historical element covering subjects such as Kepler's Laws, Planetary Distances, Stellar Parallaxes, and the Astronomical Unit problem, as well as transits as such. The conference will also cover all aspects of modern astronomical and cosmological distance measurement. The exact status of the conference and the form of its publication(s) are yet to be decided. Professor Bromage has kindly invited me to represent the historical interest on the Committee but somebody more appropriate may be found to take over later. It is hoped to make arrangements for participants to safely observe the Transit, and also, if the Lancashire weather is its usual summer self, to arrange transmission of images from a more favoured site. It is of course singularly appropriate for this Conference to be held in Preston; as well as the burgeoning astronomical programme of the University, including participation in the SALT project, there are the historical associations; only a few miles away is Much Hoole, where Jeremiah Horrocks made the first recorded observation of a Transit of Venus in 1639 (see Chapman, QJRAS, 31, 333-357), and not many more miles away is Stonyhurst College, the institution to which Father Stephen Perry SJ gave a lifetime of service. The Preston area is also replete with scenic beauty and historical interest and if sufficient interest is shown by those accompanying the delegates it may be possible to arrange visits to areas of interest such as the Lake District, Trough of Bowland, Fylde, Bronte Country, etc. There is more to North Lancashire than Blackpool! Author's address: P D Hingley, Librarian, Royal Astronomical Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1V 0NL, England, Tel 0171 734 4582/3307, FAX 0171 494 0166, e-mail pdh@ras.org.uk Source: The ICHA Newsletter, No. 1, June 2001, p. 26-27. ........................................................................... Item 7 EMA Nr. 59, 18. Dezember 2001 ........................................................................... Tagungen 2002-2004 ------------------ (Aus: Electronic Newsletter for the History of Astronomy, No. 48, December 17, 2001, Item 6) Weitere Tagungen in den Jahren 2002 und 2003 wurden in den vorangegangenen Ausgaben angekuendigt. Fuer eine komplette Liste aller bisher gemeldeten Tagungen siehe: http://www.astro.uni-bonn.de/~pbrosche/hist_astr/ha_meet.html January 6-10, 2002, Washington, DC, USA 199th Meeting of the American Astronomical Society Session 1. HAD I: New Views of Historical Research in the 21st Century Session 15. HAD IV: New Views of Historical Topics Session 31. HAD II: The Development of American Astrophysics: Ideas, Instruments, Observatories and Astronomers Session 40. HAD III: Some Controversies in the History of Astronomy Registration: AAS 199th Meeting, American Astronomical Society, 2000 Florida Ave., NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20009-1231, USA, Tel: 202-328-2010, FAX: 202-234-7850, E-mail: reg-help@aas.org URL: http://www.aas.org/meetings/aas199/program/ 30. Mai - 2. Juni 2002, Nuernberg, Deutschland Jahrestagung des Arbeitskreises Sonnenuhren der Deutschen Gesellschaft fuer Chronometrie Organisation: Ludwig Engelhardt, Hohenzollernstr. 38, 90475 Nuernberg, Tel. (0911) 837445, Fax (0911) 9837579, e-mail: nbg@planet-interkom.de September 9-14, 2002, Athens, Greece XXI Scientific Instrument Symposium Contacts: Eftymios Nicolaidis (e-mail: efnicol@eie.gr) and Giorgi Vlahakis (e-mail: gvlahakis@eie.gr), National Helenic Research Foundation, Vassileos Constantinou 48, 11635 Athens, Greece. URLs: http://www.sic.iuhps.org/conf2002/ http://www.weblab.gr/hasi/sic2002/ 23.-25. September 2002, Nuernberg, Deutschland X. Symposium der Internationalen Coronelli-Gesellschaft fuer Globenkunde Informationen: Internationale Coronelli-Gesellschaft, c/o Oesterreichische Nationalbibliothek, Josefsplatz 1, 1015 Wien, Oesterreich, Fax: +43-1-53410319, e-mail: vincenzo@coronelli.org 23.-28. September 2002, Berlin, Deutschland Wissenschaftliche Tagung der Astronomischen Gesellschaft, mit Kolloquium zur Geschichte der Astronomie (wahrscheinlich am 27. und 28. September) Details werden demnaechst mitgeteilt. June 19-22, 2003, Notre Dame, IN, USA Sixth Biennial History of Astronomy Workshop Contacts: Matthew F. Dowd, Univ. of Notre Dame, Hist. & Phil. of Science, 346 O'Shaughnessy Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA, e-mail: Matthew.F.Dowd.11@nd.edu July 14-26, 2003, Sydney, Australia IAU General Assembly Several history of astronomy sessions are planned, such as Working Group Meetings, Business Meetings, Science Meetings, a joint C41/C46 session on the history of astronomy education activities, and possibly a Joint Discussion. Details will be announced later. Contacts: Dr. Wayne Orchiston, Australia, e-mail: wo@aaoepp.aao.gov.au September 30 - October 4, 2003, Newport News, Virginia, USA XXII Scientific Instrument Symposium Details will be announced later. September 2004, Dresden, Germany XXIII Scientific Instrument Symposium Details will be announced later. ........................................................................... Danksagung ---------- Neben dem Autor, Peter D. Hingley, sei fuer Informationen gedankt: Ludwig Engelhardt, Peter Habison, Wayne Orchiston, Neil Ribe, Cambridge University Library, Internationale Coronelli-Gesellschaft. ........................................................................... Impressum --------- Elektronische Mitteilungen zur Astronomiegeschichte (EMA) Herausgegeben vom Arbeitskreis Astronomiegeschichte in der Astronomischen Gesellschaft Redaktion: Dr. Wolfgang R. Dick Alle nicht namentlich gekennzeichneten Mitteilungen sind redaktionelle Beitraege. Aufsaetze sowie Mitteilungen fuer die Rubriken werden gern entgegengenommen. Der Bezug der EMA ist kostenlos. Abonnenten und Leser werden um gelegentliche freiwillige Spenden an den Arbeitskreis gebeten. Die Elektronischen Mitteilungen zur Astronomiegeschichte duerfen unbegrenzt weiterverbreitet werden, sofern dafuer keine Gebuehr erhoben wird. Ein oeffentliches Abgebot in WWW-Servern, BBS etc. ist gestattet, sofern die Redaktion informiert wird. Die Reproduktion von Auszuegen in elektronischen oder Druckmedien ist nur mit Genehmigung der Redaktion gestattet. Die Elektronischen Mitteilungen ergaenzen die gedruckten Mitteilungen zur Astronomiegeschichte, die derzeit halbjaehrlich erscheinen: Preis: 1,50 DM/Ausgabe zzgl. Versandkosten Ausserhalb der BRD: kostenfrei, Spenden erwuenscht Bezug: Einsendung von 2,50 DM (Einzelheft) oder 5,- DM (Nr. 18-19) in Briefmarken an die Redaktion Redaktion: Dr. W. R. Dick, Otterkiez 14, D-14478 Potsdam, Tel.: (++331) 863199 Kostenlose Probeexemplare koennen bei der Redaktion angefordert werden. Anschriften des Arbeitskreises Astronomiegeschichte: URL: http://www.astro.uni-bonn.de/~pbrosche/aa/aa.html Vorsitzender: Prof. Dr. Peter Brosche, Observatorium Hoher List der Sternwarte der Universitaet Bonn, D-54550 Daun, Tel.: +49(0)6592 2150, Fax: +49(0)6592 985140 Sekretaer: Dr. Wolfgang R. Dick, Bundesamt fuer Kartographie und Geodaesie, Aussenstelle Potsdam, Postfach 60 08 08, D-14408 Potsdam, e-mail: wdi@potsdam.ifag.de Spendenkonto der Astronomischen Gesellschaft: Konto-Nr. 333 410 41, Sparkasse Bochum (BLZ 430 500 01) Ueberweisungen aus dem Ausland: Konto Nr. 16218-203, Postbank Hamburg, BLZ 200 100 20 Alle Einzahlungen bitte mit Vermerk "Fuer Arbeitskreis Astronomiegeschichte" ***************************************************************************