*************************************************************************** * * * ELEKTRONISCHE MITTEILUNGEN ZUR ASTRONOMIEGESCHICHTE * * * * Herausgegeben vom Arbeitskreis Astronomiegeschichte * * in der Astronomischen Gesellschaft * * * * Nr. 66, 22. November 2003 * * * * Redaktion: Wolfgang R. Dick und Hilmar W. Duerbeck * * * *************************************************************************** Inhalt ------ 1. Exhibition on Francois Arago in Paris 2. Ausstellung zum Venusdurchgang in Utrecht 3. International Conference: Zdenek Kopal's Binary Star Legacy 4. Symposium "Fotografie und Wissenschaft" 5. Conference "Horoscopes and History" 6. XXIII Scientific Instrument Symposium Danksagung Impressum ........................................................................... Item 1 EMA Nr. 66, 22. Nov. 2003 ........................................................................... Exhibition on Francois Arago in Paris ------------------------------------- "Francois Arago et l'Observatoire de Paris" Exhibition from October 4 to December 6, 2003 at Paris Observatory Paris Observatory opens its gates between October 4 to December 6, 2003 to present an exposition dedicated to Francois Arago, astronomer and politician, whose 150th anniversary of death is remembered this year. Francois Arago (1786 - 1853) was an important figure of the scientific and political life in the first half of the 19th century. Paris Observatory, which he joined in 1805 and where he died in 1853, is the center of his intense and many-sided activity. The observatory owns an abundant estate which is unknown to the general public, and has thus arranged an exhibition to pay tribute to this unusual personality. The exhibition permits to rediscover his scientific and political adventures by means of manuscripts, instruments and vestiges, and the lecture hall where he gave his famous "Course in popular astronomy". Each visitor can feel the impression which has been imprinted into the walls of the Observatory and into the memory of Paris by one of its famous directors who was also briefly president. The exhibition is open on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between 2 and 6 p.m. Batiment Perrault, 61, avenue de l'Observatoire, 75014 Paris, France Admission fee: 4.50 EUR [adopted from: http://www.obspm.fr/actual/nouvelle/oct03/Expo-Arago.fr.shtml] ........................................................................... Item 2 EMA Nr. 66, 22. Nov. 2003 ........................................................................... Ausstellung zum Venusdurchgang in Utrecht ----------------------------------------- Vom 19. Dezember 2003 bis 5. September 2004 zeigt das Astronomiemuseum "Sterrenwacht Sonnenborgh" in Utrecht (Niederlande) die Ausstellung "Venus achterna: Sterrenkundigen op expeditie in 1874". Die Ausstellung dokumentiert die niederlaendische Venusexpedition von 1874 von den Anfaengen bis zur abschliessenden Entscheidung, zum Transit 1882 keine Expedition mehr zu entsenden. Die niederlaendische Expedition hatte die Insel Reunion im Indischen Ozean zum Ziel, und die Ausstellung illustriert auch die Probleme und Gefahren, die mit einer solchen Expedition verbunden waren. Es werden die von der niederlaendischen Expedition verwendeten Instrumente (aus den Sammlungen des Universitaetsmuseum Utrecht, des Museum Boerhaave und des Teylers Museum), aber auch Dokumente und Aufzeichnungen aus verschiedenen niederlaendischen Archiven gezeigt. Das Museum "Sterrenwacht Sonnenborgh" ist Teil des Universitaetsmuseums Utrecht und wird zur Zeit neu eingerichtet. Neben der Sonderausstellung zum Venusdurchgang wird auch eine neue, permanente Ausstellung zur Meridianastronomie in Utrecht und ab Herbst kommenden Jahres auch zwei Ausstellungen zur Meteorologie (Buys-Ballot) und Sonnenphysik (Minnaert) gezeigt. Am 8. Juni 2004 wird es eine "Venusparty" mit Beobachtungsmoeglichkeiten geben. Die Oeffnungszeiten des Museums sind Dienstag bis Freitag 11:00 bis 17:00 Uhr und Sonntag 13:00 bis 16:00 Uhr. Fuehrungen und Beobachtungsabende koennen im Voraus gebucht werden. Anschrift: Museum Sterrenwacht Sonnenborgh Zonnenburg 2 3512 NL Utrecht Niederlande Tel.: 030-2302818 (Mo - Fr 9.30 - 16.00) Fax: 030-2334992 E-mail: info@sonnenborgh.nl Weitere Informationen: www.sonnenborgh.nl [Mitgeteilt von Klaus Staubermann.] ........................................................................... Item 3 EMA Nr. 66, 22. Nov. 2003 ........................................................................... International Conference: Zdenek Kopal's Binary Star Legacy ----------------------------------------------------------- (Aus: Electronic Newsletter for the History of Astronomy, No. 53, November 17, 2003, Item 3) First Announcement of an International Conference: ZDENEK KOPAL'S BINARY STAR LEGACY Litomysl, Bohemia, Czech Republic 31 March to 3 April 2004 On the occasion of the 90th birthday of late Professor Zdenek Kopal a conference will be held from March 31 to April 3, 2004 in the estates of the castle of the Bohemian town of Litomysl, where Zdenek Kopal was born. MEETING ORGANIZERS * Astronomical Institute of Charles University, Prague * Astronomical Institute of Academy of Science, Ondrejov * Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno * B.R.N.O. - Variable Star Section of the Czech Astronomical Society The international conference is especially dedicated to remind the achievements of a great astronomer, but will also aim at more general aspects of contemporary binary star astronomy. PROGRAM TOPICS: 1. Introductory session - Appreciation of Kopal's work - Reminiscences and fellows' views of a great astronomer 2. Binary star morphology 3. Mathematical physics and numerical modelling INVITED SPEAKERS of the Introductory Session (preliminary list): 1. Introductory Session A. Batten: Digging Foundations for the Royal Road E. Budding: A fellow's view of Kopal's royal road to binary stars A. M. Cherepashchuk: Atmospheric Eclipses in Wolf-Rayet Binaries: from Kopal and Shapley to Present Days M. Kitamura: Reminiscences of a Japanese contemporary (For invited speakers of the other sessions see the web site indicated below.) SCIENTIFIC ORGANIZING COMMITTEE (SOC): Alan Batten Dominion Astrophysics Observatory, Victoria, Canada Dmitrij V. Bisikalo Inst. of Astronomy, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia Edwin Budding CIT/Carter Observatory, Wellington, New Zealand Osman Demircan Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Canakkale, Turkey Horst Drechsel (chair) Dr. Remeis Observatory, Astron. Institute, Univ. Erlangen-Nuernberg, Bamberg, Germany Petr Hadrava Astron. Institute Ondrejov, Academy of Sciences of CZ Pavel Mayer Astronomical Institute, Charles University, Prague, CZ Zdenek Mikulasek Inst. of Theoretical Physics and Astrophys., Masaryk University, Brno, CZ Izold Pustylnik Tartu Observatory, Estonia Nikolaj N. Samus Institute of Astronomy, Russian Academy of Sciences; Sternberg Astronomical Inst., Moscow, Russia Dimitar Sasselov Harvard University, Dept. of Astronomy, USA Augustin Skopal Astron. Institute, Tatranska Lomnica, Academy of Sciences, Slovak Republic Robert Wilson Astronomy Dept., University of Florida, USA Marek Wolf Astronomical Institute, Charles University, Prague, CZ Miloslav Zejda N. Copernicus Observatory and Planetarium, Brno, CZ LOCAL ORGANIZING COMMITTEE (LOC): Miloslav Zejda (chair), Miroslav Broz, Petr Hajek, Ondrej Pejcha (BRNO-VSS), Eva Piknova, Michaela Severova (Litomysl), Jan Janik (FS MU) The organizers can look back to a more than 40 years lasting period of continued observational and publication activities in the field of variable star research, on an almost equally long tradition of holding national conferences (mainly in Brno), and a 20 years history of international contacts. While previous variable star meetings were held at Brno Planetarium, this conference in honour of Prof. Kopal will exceptionally take place at the castle of the marvelous Bohemian town of Litomysl, Kopal's birth place. The organizers hope that the meeting will not only help to remind Zdenek Kopal as an esteemed colleague and outstanding astronomer, but will also serve to present new aspects and trends in binary star research and as a forum for discussion among astronomers from many countries. CONTACT ADDRESS: M. Zejda: N. Copernicus Observatory and Planetarium, Kravi hora 2, 61600 Brno, CZ Phone: 420 541321287, fax 420 541233389 WWW: http://var.astro.cz/kopal E-mail: H. Drechsel (SOC): drechsel@sternwarte.uni-erlangen.de M. Zejda (LOC): zejda@hvezdarna.cz DEADLINES: Early registration: 15 February 2004 Late registration: 15 March 2004 Abstracts: 29 February 2004 Proceedings: 1 October 2004 MEETING SITE: The East Bohemian town of Litomysl emerged in the 13th century on the site of an older fortified settlement on the Trstenice path - an important trading route linking Bohemia and Moravia. The dominant feature of Litomysl is the monumental Renaissance castle dating from the years 1568-1581. The buildings of the castle precincts are not only exceptional for their architectural refinement, but have also inscribed themselves in history as the birth place of the Czech national composer, Bedrich Smetana. On the elongated square, which is one of the largest in the Czech Republic, a town hall of Gothic origin and a series of Renaissance and baroque houses are found, many of them with arcades and vaulted groundfloor rooms. One of the most important of these is the House At the Knights (U Rytiru) with its remarkable facade. In the past the town was also a significant religious centre; it was in Litomysl in 1344 that the second bishopric to be established in Bohemia was founded. The cultural traditions of the town go much beyond regional and national frontiers. The exquisite interiors of the castle, especially the baroque castle theatre, the amphitheatre in the castle park and Smetana's house, all offer varied programmes of concerts and theatrical performances and thus enrich the life of the town throughout the year. Litomysl came to public notice in a political context as well: in 1994 the meeting of the seven Central European presidents took place at the castle, and in 1995 the Spanish royal couple visited the town. The chateau complex was included in the UNESCO list of cultural monuments 1999. Litomysl was awarded the title "Historical town of the year 2000". (for more information see www.litomysl.cz) PAPERS: Working language is English. The Proceedings will be published as a special issue of the Kluwer journal Astrophysics & Space Science, which was founded by Kopal. If you are interested in presenting a paper please submit your abstract before February 29, 2004. Abstracts received after this deadline will not be included in the booklet of abstracts to be distributed at the beginning of the conference. REGISTRATION: The registration fee is 130 EUR, late registration fee 160 EUR, and reduced fee for accompanying person is 35 EUR. The full registration fee includes coffee, admission to party, excursion, concert, abstract booklet, and a copy of the proceedings. The reduced registration fee will only cover admission to conference sessions and concert, and coffee. Early registration deadline is 15 February 2004. The ultimate deadline for acceptance of conference applications will be March 15. FINANCIAL SUPPORT: The organisers have only very limited possibility to support a few participants. We will do our best to help you in any respect if necessary. You can send your request to the LOC. TRAVEL INFORMATION: Litomysl is located 150 km away from Prague, 85 km from Brno, 50 km from Hradec Kralove. You can use busses from Prague or Brno or (international) trains to Ceska Trebova, and from there local trains or busses to Litomysl. For a map of the Czech Republic see http://www.mapy.cz . We look forward to meeting you in Litomysl in Spring 2004. Miloslav Zejda Horst Drechsel chairperson of LOC chairperson of SOC Other events: Saturday-Sunday Congress of the Czech Astronomical Society 3-4-Apr Public lessons Sunday 11:00 Unveiling of a tablet at Kopal's house 4-Apr More information and a Conference Application Form are available at http://var.astro.cz/kopal [Source: http://var.astro.cz/kopal/announce.txt, abbreviated here] ........................................................................... Item 4 EMA Nr. 66, 22. Nov. 2003 ........................................................................... Symposium "Fotografie und Wissenschaft" --------------------------------------- Das 40. Symposium der Gesellschaft fuer Wissenschaftsgeschichte e.V. wird am 22. Mai 2004 in Jena stattfinden. Es soll Gelegenheit zu einer kritischen Sichtung der fotografischen Wissensermittlung und Wissenschaftsvermittlung im 19. und 20. Jahrhundert bieten. Das neue Medium Fotografie hat offensichtlich eine Neubestimmung des Verhaeltnisses von Sehbarem und Zeigbarem zu dem Sagbaren erforderlich gemacht. Wissenschaftsmethodologisch geht es um die Frage nach einer exakten Repraesentation der zu untersuchenden Sache sowie um das rechte Verhaeltnis von Bild und Text. Wissenschaftshistorisch geht es um die sich wandelnden Antworten auf diese Fragen in unterschiedlichen Zusammenhaengen und Zeitraeumen. Kontakte: Prof. Dr. Mitchell Ash, Institut fuer Geschichte, Universitaet Wien, Dr. Karl Lueger Ring 1, A-1010 Wien, E-Mail: mitchell.ash@univie.ac.at oder Prof. Dr. Christoph Meinel, Lehrstuhl fuer Wissenschaftsgeschichte, Institut fuer Philosophie, Universitaet Regensburg, Universitaetsstrasse 31, D-93040 Regensburg, E-Mail: christoph.meinel@psk.uni-regensburg.de [Quellen und weitere Informationen: Gesellschaft fuer Wissenschaftsgeschichte e.V., Berichte zur Wissenschaftsgeschichte 26 (2003), 235-236; http://www.uni-regensburg.de/Fakultaeten/phil_Fak_I/Philosophie/ Wissenschaftsgeschichte/GWG/GWG_1.htm] ........................................................................... Item 5 EMA Nr. 66, 22. Nov. 2003 ........................................................................... Conference "Horoscopes and History" ----------------------------------- The subdepartment History of Hermetic Philosophy and Related Currents is pleased to announce a conference entitled "Horoscopes and History" that will take place at the University of Amsterdam from 26-28 July 2004. The conference will bring together leading scholars in the history of astrology, among them D. Blume, J.-P. Boudet, N. Campion, P. Curry, St. Heilen, J. H. Holden, W. Huebner, R. Plantiko, P. Schiller, St. van den Broecke, and R. Zoller. The conference is open to a wider public and the organizers highly appreciate a broad reception. In this conference, the general theme "Horoscopes and History" will be approached from several perspectives: "Horoscopes as historical sources" addresses the methodological question of how the study of nativities can enrich historical research. Horoscopes can be regarded as a highly specialized genre of historical narrative that needs to be applied by historians in a different way than other source material. How can horoscopes be scrutinized in order to understand and reconstruct historical events? Horoscopes as astronomical sources discusses the underlying astronomical parameters of nativities. Any astrological interpretation relies on astronomical data, from which certain techniques for predicting the development of the native and future events have been derived. How can these parameters be deduced and interpreted and how are they employed for specific astrological techniques and calculations? "Horoscopes as rhetoric device" considers the role of horoscopes in political and public discourse. The publication of imperial nativities, the use of horoscopes by representatives of higher social orders, or the public debate about the horoscopes of religious leaders are significant elements in claims of superiority over political and religious opponents. "Horoscopes and biographical narrative" is closely related to the other approaches but stresses the role of horoscopes for constructing coherent and meaningful individual biographies. From the fifteenth through the twentieth century nativities were used as powerful means for biographical "emplotment" and the formation of identities. Given the wide spectrum of source material, the conference is not limited to one specific period in the history of Western culture. The aim is rather to systematically explore the role of horoscopes in historical research and to apply these methodological considerations to concrete case studies and different contexts. The conference fee will be EUR 20.00 to cover the costs for catering etc. People who are interested in participating are kindly requested to contact Kocku von Stuckrad. Organizers: Dr. phil. habil. Kocku von Stuckrad University of Amsterdam, History of Hermetic Philosophy and Related Currents Oude Turfmarkt 147 NL - 1012 GC Amsterdam E-Mail: c.k.m.vonstuckrad@uva.nl Dr. phil. habil. Guenther Oestmann E-Mail: oestmann@nord-com.net More information: www.amsterdamhermetica.com [Text provided by Guenther Oestmann.] ........................................................................... Item 6 EMA Nr. 66, 22. Nov. 2003 ........................................................................... XXIII Scientific Instrument Symposium ------------------------------------- (Aus: Electronic Newsletter for the History of Astronomy, No. 53, November 17, 2003, Item 4) The XXIII Scientific Instrument Symposium (SIS 2004) of the International Union of the History of Science will be held in Dresden, capital of the State of Saxony, Germany, September 6 - 11, 2004. Registration will take place in the Mathematisch-Physikalischer Salon (MPS) in the Baroque Zwinger, and the conference sessions will be held in the re-built Palace and in the city's Technical Collections. The symposium hotel is located within a ten-minutes' walk from the Zwinger, the Palace, and the historic city center. Coffee and tea as well as arrangements for lunch will be provided. The symposium is open for all studies touching on historic scientific instruments. SIC members are invited to organize sessions on particular themes. The following proposals for sessions have been received: - Suzanne Debarbat: Instruments for Weights and Measures (e-mail: suzanne.debarbat@obspm.fr) - Roland Wittje: Acoustics: On the Threshhold Between Scientific and Musical Instruments (working title) (e-mail: roland.wittje@phys.ntnu.no) - Peter Plassmeyer: Central European Instruments of the 16th-18th Centuries (e-mail: peterplassmeyer@web.de) - Sven Dupre and Michael Korey, Scientific Instruments in Kunstkammer and Court Collections (e-mail: m.korey@web.de and sven.dupre@ugent.be) Preliminary Program: Monday, Sept. 6th Afternoon: Registration, reception, and exclusive viewing in the MPS Tuesday, Sept. 7th Morning and Afternoon: Sessions Wednesday, Sept. 8th Morning and Afternoon: Sessions, Poster session Thursday, Sept. 9th Morning: Viewing of the Dresden university collections Afternoon: Sessions 17:00 Plenary meeting SIC 19:00 Conference Dinner (Steamboat cruise on the Elbe River to the summer palace at Pillnitz) Friday, Sept. 10th Excursions to severals significant (and largely unknown) collections in Saxony are planned, including Freiberg and Waldenburg, Goerlitz and Bautzen. (Details will appear on the registration form.) Saturday, Sept. 11th Morning: Sessions possible All day: A visit to several museums in Dresden is planned, including the Gruenes Gewoelbe, the Ruestkammer, and the Deutsches Hygiene-Museum. (Details to be provided.) Contact address: SIS 2004 Dresden State Art Collections Mathematisch-Physikalischer Salon Zwinger D-01067 Dresden, Germany TEL. +49 (0) 351 4914 -661 FAX. +49 (0) 351 4914 -666 e-mail: info@sis2004-dresden.de More information: http://www.sis2004-dresden.de http://www.dresden.de http://www.skd-dresden.de [Source: http://www.sis2004-dresden.de] ........................................................................... Danksagung ---------- Fuer die direkte Zusendung von Informationen danken wir Guenther Oestmann und Klaus Staubermann. ........................................................................... Impressum --------- Elektronische Mitteilungen zur Astronomiegeschichte (EMA) Herausgegeben vom Arbeitskreis Astronomiegeschichte in der Astronomischen Gesellschaft Redaktion: Dr. Wolfgang R. Dick und Dr. Hilmar W. Duerbeck Archiv bisheriger Ausgaben: http://www.astrohist.org/aa/ema/ 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 in der Regel halbjaehrlich erscheinen: Preis: 1,- Euro/Ausgabe zzgl. Versandkosten Ausserhalb von Deutschland: kostenfrei, Spenden erwuenscht Bezug: Einsendung von 1,50 Euro (Einzelheft) oder 3,- Euro (Nr. 20-21) in Briefmarken an die Redaktion Redaktion: Dr. W. R. Dick, Anschrift siehe unten Kostenlose Probeexemplare koennen bei der Redaktion angefordert werden. Anschriften des Arbeitskreises Astronomiegeschichte: URL: http://www.astrohist.org/ 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, e-mail: pbrosche@astro.uni-bonn.de Sekretaer: Dr. Wolfgang R. Dick, Vogelsang 35 A, D-14478 Potsdam, e-mail: wdick@astrohist.org Spendenkonto der Arbeitskreises Astronomiegeschichte: Empfaenger: Astronomische Gesellschaft, Konto-Nr.: 310 330 402, Volksbank Coesfeld-Duelmen, BLZ 401 631 23 Ueberweisungen aus dem Ausland: Konto Nr. 16218-203, Postbank Hamburg, BLZ 200 100 20 Einzahlungen auf letzteres Konto bitte mit Vermerk "Fuer Arbeitskreis Astronomiegeschichte". ***************************************************************************