*************************************************************************** * * * ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER FOR THE HISTORY OF ASTRONOMY * * * * Published by the Working Group for the History of Astronomy * * in the Astronomische Gesellschaft * * * * Number 24, December 4, 1997 * * * * A translation of * * * * ELEKTRONISCHE MITTEILUNGEN ZUR ASTRONOMIEGESCHICHTE * * Nr. 24, 3. Dezember 1997 * * * * Edited by: Dr. Wolfgang R. Dick * * * *************************************************************************** Contents -------- 1. The International Spring Meeting of the Astronomische Gesellschaft 1998 2. Introducing the "Journal of Astronomical History and Heritage" 3. Axel D. Wittmann: Catalog of Naked-Eye Sunspot Observations and Large Sunspots, 165 BC to AD 1918 4. Thomas B. Settle: Mechanical Marvels: Invention in the Age of Leonardo (Announcement of an Exhibition) Acknowledgements Imprint ........................................................................... Item 1 ENHA No. 24, December 4, 1997 ........................................................................... The International Spring Meeting of the Astronomische Gesellschaft 1998 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Gotha, Germany, May 11 - 15, 1998 The conference will take place in commemoration of the first astronomical congress held in 1798 at the Seeberg observatory. Therefore history of astronomy is one of two special fields of the meeting, with a natural focus on the 18th and 19th centuries. The other field is astrometry. We expect results from the satellite Hipparcos and the discussion of successing projects. The language will be the "lingua franca" of our times, English. Especially characteristic quotations in French and German may be presented in the original version as well. There will be invited lectures as well as short oral and poster contributions. Scientific Organizing Committee: Peter Brosche (Daun/Bonn), Wolfgang R. Dick (Potsdam), Roland Wielen (Heidelberg) Registration for the conference: Information and registration - chairman of the Local Organizing Committee: Oliver Schwarz, Uthmannstr. 8, D-99867 Gotha, Germany E-mail: SternwGTH@aol.com Other information (e.g., about travel to Gotha and accomodation) may be downloaded from URL http://members.aol.com/SternwGTH . Later also the preliminary programme will be placed there. The Organizing Committee asks for registration as early as possible, not later than by March 15, 1998. Registered participants will receive a list of hotels and bed & breakfast in Gotha. O. Schwarz may help you with organizing your accomodation. Fees: Members of the Astronomische Gesellschaft: DM 60, students DM 40, non-members DM 80. Excursion to Inselsberg: DM 25 In case that your conference fee will be received by January 15, 1998, the excursion will be free for you. Please make your payments to Acct # 750 003 715, Sparkasse Gotha, BLZ 820 520 20, indicating "Fruehjahrstagung". Requests for re-funding of fees received later than one week prior to the conference may be granted only at 50 %. Scientific programme: Please send your requests concerning the programme as well as your abstracts of papers and posters by March 15, 1998, to Prof. Peter Brosche, University of Bonn, Observatorium Hoher List, D-54550 Daun, Germany. We ask for your understanding that contributions submitted later may not be accepted. In difference to other meetings of the Astronomische Gesellschaft, no abstract book will be published due to a lack of funds. However, we intend to publish the abstracts together with the invited papers in the Proceedings to appear after the meeting. For this you may edit your abstracts later. Prior to the meeting the abstracts will be published in the WWW (URL see above). For this, authors are asked to submit machine-readable abstracts, either on diskette together with the hardcopy to Prof. Brosche (any formats, also Word or WordPerfect, except Macintosh formats), or by e-mail to the LOC at SternwGTH@aol.com (ASCII, HTML or LaTeX), or by ftp to ftp.potsdam.ifag.de into the directory pub/incoming/wdi with a short e-mail notice to wdi@potsdam.ifag.de (any formats, except Macintosh). Preliminary schedule: May 11 2 pm opening ceremony, opening of a special exhibition 7 pm informal gathering in Hotel Lindenhof May 12 9 am presentations on history of astronomy 7 pm public evening lecture held by Dr. Oliver Schwarz entitled "Die Vermessung des Weltalls" May 13 9 am history of astronomy astrometry 7 pm reception by the mayor of the city of Gotha May 14 9 am astrometry May 15 10 am astronomical-geodetic excursion to the Inselsberg, the highest mountain of the Thuringian Forest Invited speakers (with short titles): Suzanne Debarbat: Astronomy at the Paris Observatory Jean-Claude Pecker: The diary of Lalande Peter Brosche: Astronomy in Gotha Karin Reich: Astronomy - the leading discipline Manfred Schneider: Astrometry and geodesy Leslie V. Morrison: Sands of Time and Tidal Friction Adriaan Blaauw: History of the HIPPARCOS project Roland Wielen: The FK6 and the double stars Helmut Jahreiss: HIPPARCOS and the nearby stars Wilhelm Seggewiss: Distance scale and HIPPARCOS Michel Mayor: Radial velocities and extra-solar planets Jacques Colin: The automatic meridian circle of Bordeaux Christian de Vegt: HIPPARCOS for wide field astronomy Alain Fresneau: Carte du Ciel and HIPPARCOS Michael Geffert: CCD astrometry Lennart Lindegren: HIPPARCOS and the future Ulrich Bastian: The astrometric satellite DIVA Michael H. Soffel: Relativity and space astrometry Erik Hog: [title not yet defined] General information about Gotha Gotha is one of the Thuringian residence towns, which, despite being the capitals of only small states, were of great importance for the cultural development in Germany. The reigning dukes supported the arts, and one of the last, Ernst II (1745-1804) had a great passion for astronomy. He founded an observatory and made Franz Xaver von Zach (1754-1832) the first director. Following astronomy also related sciences were developed: Justus Perthes' "Geographische Anstalt" made significant contributions to cartography. A great share of the cultural heritage of Gotha is concentrated in the large castle Friedenstein which was the residence of the dukes. There are the Science and State Library Gotha, the Thuringian State Archives, several museums and a unique baroque theater. The collections include astronomical instruments, globes and clocks. Many of Johann Sebastian Bach's ancestors lived in the area surrounding Gotha. However, he was born in Eisenach about 30 km to the West of Gotha. The centre of German classical literature, Weimar, is 40 minutes by train to the East. Inbetween lies Erfurt, the capital of Thuringia and one of the most remarkable German medieval cities. Not second to the cultural highlights is the possibility to explore the beauties of nature: the foot of the Thuringian Forest can be reached by tram and the ridge by buses. From the Inselsberg (which we shall visit) one can see the stage of the opera "Tannhaeuser", the Wartburg, in the North-West. More about Gotha at http://www.gotha-online.de/ ........................................................................... Item 2 ENHA No. 24, December 4, 1997 ........................................................................... Introducing the "Journal of Astronomical History and Heritage" -------------------------------------------------------------- Following extensive discussions at the recent General Assembly of the IAU, a research publication titled the "Journal of Astronomical History and Heritage" is to be launched in 1998. This will go some way towards providing an alternative outlet for those who liked to publish in the "Quarterly Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society" and in "Vistas in Astronomy". JAH2 will be published twice-yearly, in June and December, and will feature review papers, research papers, short communications, and book reviews. Papers on all aspects of astronomical history will be considered, including studies which place the evolution of astronomy in political, economic and cultural context. Papers on astronomical heritage may deal with historic telescopes and observatories, conservation projects (including the conversion of historic observatories into museums of astronomy), and historical or industrial archaeological investigations of astronomical sites and buildings. All papers will be refereed prior to publication. Managing Editor of the new journal is John L. Perdrix, from Perth, Australia, who is closing down the "Australian Journal of Astronomy" in order to activate the new journal. Papers Editor is Dr Wayne Orchiston, Executive Director of the Carter Observatory (the National Observatory of New Zealand). An international Editorial Board is in the process of being formed, and Dr Bambang Hidayat (Indonesia, and IAU Vice-President), Professor Rajesh Kochhar (India), Professor Brian Warner (South Africa), Commander Derek Howse (England), Dr Wolfgang Dick (Germany), Dr David Andrews (Northern Ireland), Dr Alan Batten (Canada), Dr Steve Dick (USA, and Chairman of IAU Commission 41), Professor Ben Gascoigne (Australia), and Professor Don Osterbrock (USA) have already agreed to join. The annual subscription, for individuals, is just $US20. Queries regarding subscriptions, book reviews and the production of the new journal should be directed to Mr J. Perdrix at Astral Press, PO Box 107, Wembley, WA 6014, Australia (or e-mail: geochem@techpkwa.curtin.edu.au). Queries regarding papers should be directed to Dr W. Orchiston at the Carter Observatory, PO Box 2909, Wellington, New Zealand (or e-mail: Wayne.Orchiston@vuw.ac.nz). ........................................................................... Item 3 ENHA No. 24, December 4, 1997 ........................................................................... Catalog of Naked-Eye Sunspot Observations and Large Sunspots ------------------------------------------------------------ 165 BC to AD 1918 ----------------- By Axel D. Wittmann, Goettingen, Germany Large ('naked-eye') sunspots may serve as one of the primary indicators of solar activity; their distribution shows the typical features of solar activity (11-year cycle, butterfly diagram, bimodal maxima, Maunder-type maxima and minima, etc.). Historical naked-eye sunspot observations are one of the very few direct (non-proxy) means of studying solar activity during the past. This cataloge contains observations of large sunpots (or what may possibly have been a large sunspot!) with the naked eye. 'Modern' spots (more recent spots observed telescopically) are only included if they were large enough to be (in principle, at least) visible to the naked eye. When trying to interpret the data, and in particular the ancient Chinese observations, note that they are not at all systematic, i.e. 'dense' in time (or statistically 'complete'), but were made more or less by chance, or were often cited inaccurately in the chronicles! In particular, the ancient astronomers were trying to determine the phase of the new moon (for calendar purposes), and that is why often sunspots were preferrably detected near the day of new moon (whereas their actual 'maximum' was sometime else): So be careful and don't mis-interpret the meagre statistics! Data from 165 BC to AD 1684 were compiled by Axel D. Wittmann, University Observatory, Goettingen, Germany, and Zhen-Tao Xu, Purple Mountain Observatory, Nanjing, China; cf. Ref. [1]. This data has been updated and expanded (in particular for the time from 1685 to 1918) by data taken from the catalog of Kevin K.C. Yau and F. Richard Stephenson, University of Durham (cf. Ref. [2]) by A.D. Wittmann in 1988. The 'modern' observations (after AD 1764, and in particular those of the 20th century) were compiled by A.D. Wittmann; if possible they include the measured area and the observed heliographic latitude. The date usually is that of the CMD passage. Electronic copies of the catalogue are available from the author upon request. A downloadable version is available from the WDC-A for Solar- Terrestrial Physics at Boulder (for more information please contact Dr. Helen Coeffey, Editor Solar-Geophysical Data, hcoffey@ngdc.noaa.gov). References: [1] Wittmann,A.D., Xu,Z.T.: 1987, Astron. Astrophys. Suppl. 70, pp. 83-94. [2] Yau,K.K.C., Stephenson,F.R.: 1988, Quart. J. Roy. Astron. Soc. 29, 175. Author's address: Dr. A.D. Wittmann, University Observatory, Geismarlandstr. 11, D-37083 Goettingen, Germany, Phone: +(49)-551-395045, Fax: +(49)-551-395043, E-mail: wittmann@uni-sw.gwdg.de ........................................................................... Item 4 ENHA No. 24, December 4, 1997 ........................................................................... Mechanical Marvels: Invention in the Age of Leonardo ---------------------------------------------------- Announcement of an Exhibition ----------------------------- By Thomas B. Settle, Brooklyn, NY, USA 24 October, 1997 - 1 March, 1998 World Financial Center in lower Manhattan, New York, USA This show is the most recent edition of two previous ones entitled "Renaissance Engineers from Brunelleschi to Leonardo da Vinci" held at the Palazzo Strozzi in Florence a year ago and in Paris before that. It was organized by a team at the Istituto e Museo di Storia della Scienze of Florence under the direction of Prof. Paolo Galluzzi, the Director of the Istituto. The show has three major sections: on "Filippo Brunelleschi" and various aspects of the design and construction of the Cupola of the Florentine Cathedral; on the "Sienese Engineers", including Taccola and Francesco di Giorgio; and on Leonardo da Vinci. Featured are excellent and large working models of both real and imaginary machines figured in the original documents. There will be catalogs and CDs available on site. For an introduction to the show you might want to visit: http://galileo.imss.fi.it/news/mostra/index.html Also availabe by a link through the World Financial Center Page: http://www.worldfinancialcenter/com/art/fall97/page2.html For location of and directions to the World Financial Center as well as other information: http://www.worldfinancialcenter.com/ Author's address: Thomas B. Settle Tel. +1 718 260 3406 (w) History of Science and Technology Fax. +1 718 260 3136 Polytechnic University Em. tsettle@duke.poly.edu Brooklyn, NY 11201 tsettle@galileo.imss.firenze.it Web. http://galileo.imss.firenze.it/~tsettle/index.html (Note: This is an informal and unofficial announcement. Please excuse cross-posting; but feel free to pass the information on to others.) ........................................................................... Acknowledgements ---------------- For information we thank: Peter Brosche (Bonn/Daun), Wayne Orchiston (Wellington), Oliver Schwarz (Gotha/Daun), Reinhard Schielicke (Jena). ........................................................................... Imprint ------- Electronic Newsletter for the History of Astronomy (ENHA) A translation of "Elektronische Mitteilungen zur Astronomiegeschichte" Published by the Working Group for the History of Astronomy in the Astronomische Gesellschaft Editor: Dr. Wolfgang R. Dick All items without an author's name are editorial contributions. Articles as well as information for the several sections are appreciated. Subscription for ENHA is free. Readers and subscribers are asked for occasional voluntary donations to the working group. Copyright Statement: The Electronic Newsletters for the History of Astronomy may be freely re-distributed in the case that no charge is imposed. Public offer in WWW servers, BBS etc. is allowed after the editor has been informed. Non-commercial reproduction of single items in electronic or printed media is possible only with the editor's permission. The electronic newsletters are complement the printed "Mitteilungen zur Astronomiegeschichte" (in German) which currently appear semi-annually: Price: DM 1.50 / issue plus postage and packing costs outside Germany: free Subscription: Send in DM 2.50 (one issue) or DM 5.00 (Nos. 10-11) in stamps to the editor Editor: Dr. W. R. Dick, Otterkiez 14, D-14478 Potsdam, Germany, Tel.: (+331) 863199 Please ask for a free trial issue. Arbeitskreis Astronomiegeschichte / Working Group for the History of Astronomy: URL: http://www.astro.uni-bonn.de/~pbrosche/aa/aa.html Chairman: Prof. Dr. Peter Brosche, Observatorium Hoher List der Sternwarte der Universitaet Bonn, D-54550 Daun, Germany, Tel.: (+6592) 2150, Fax: (+6592) 985140 Secretary: Dr. Wolfgang R. Dick, Bundesamt fuer Kartographie und Geodaesie, Aussenstelle Potsdam, Postfach 60 08 08, D-14408 Potsdam, Germany, Tel.: (+331) 316 618, E-mail: wdi@potsdam.ifag.de Bank Acct. of the Working Group of the Astronomische Gesellschaft: Acct # 333 410 41, Sparkasse Bochum (BLZ 430 500 01) Contributions from foreign countries: acct # 162 18-203, Postgiroamt Hamburg, BLZ 200 400 20 Please sign with: "Fuer Arbeitskreis Astronomiegeschichte" ***************************************************************************