*************************************************************************** * * * ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER FOR THE HISTORY OF ASTRONOMY * * * * Published by the Working Group for the History of Astronomy * * in the Astronomische Gesellschaft * * * * Number 34, March 8, 1999 * * * * Edited by: Wolfgang R. Dick * * * *************************************************************************** Contents -------- 1. Steve McCluskey: Archaeoastronomy: the Journal of Astronomy in Culture 2. 150th Anniversary of the Founding of the U.S Nautical Almanac Office 3. Symposium announcement: The Legacy of J. C. Kapteyn 4. Workshop announcement: One Hundred Years of Observational Astronomy and Astrophysics 5. XVIII International Scientific Instrument Symposium Imprint ........................................................................... Item 1 ENHA No. 34, March 8, 1999 ........................................................................... Archaeoastronomy: the Journal of Astronomy in Culture ----------------------------------------------------- By Steve McCluskey, Morgantown, WV The first edition (vol. 14, number 1) of Archaeoastronomy: the Journal of Astronomy in Culture (formerly Archaeoastronomy: the Journal of the Center of Archaeoastronomy) will appear in June, 1999 under an expanded editorial board and a new publisher (The University of Texas Press). Since its inception in 1977, Archaeoastronomy has always been a refereed journal and its editors have sought to maintain a high standard for publication. This has not changed. The editors welcome the submission of articles reporting substantial research in the general areas covered by the terms Archaeoastronomy, Ethnoastronomy, and Astronomy in Culture. The acceptance of papers for publication has never been influenced by membership in any organization nor in degrees held by the author but by the extent to which the submission promotes further understanding of the questions arising in the study of astronomies in cultures and demonstrates the formal rigor necessary for academic recognition. The Journal's style guide and further details on submission can be found at: http://www.wam.umd.edu/~tlaloc/archastro/style.html Please note, the journal Archaeoastronomy: the Supplement to the Journal for the History of Astronomy, continues to appear under the editorship of Michael Hoskin. Author's address: Dr. Steve McCluskey, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA, e-mail: scmcc@wvnvm.wvnet.edu ........................................................................... Item 2 ENHA No. 34, March 8, 1999 ........................................................................... 150th Anniversary of the Founding of the U.S Nautical Almanac Office -------------------------------------------------------------------- March 3, 1999 marked the 150th anniversary of the establishment of the U.S. Nautical Almanac Office (NAO) by Congress. Since its founding, the NAO and the U.S. Naval Observatory (its modern-day parent organization) have compiled a distinguished record of service to the U.S. Navy, the other armed services, the international scientific community, and the public by providing reliable, practical astronomical data. These data are used for a wide variety of purposes including navigation, surveying, scientific research, mission planning, and everyday activities. To commemorate this special event, the U.S. Naval Observatory hosted the Nautical Almanac Office Sesquicentennial Symposium on 3-5 March 1999 in Washington, DC. The symposium covered a broad spectrum of topics including the history of the office, its mission, the users of its products, the underlying science, and a look toward the future. The attendees, all invited, came from diverse backgrounds, both military and civilian, and were international in scope. In addition to papers presented by the Nautical Almanac Office staff, invited speakers included scientists and historians from a variety of institutions. Program information for the Symposium may be found on the Astronomical Applications Department web site at URL: http://aa.usno.navy.mil/NAO150/ In 1849 Congress established the Nautical Almanac Office to prepare and publish an official national almanac. Up to that time American scientists and seamen relied on foreign almanacs - particularly those of Great Britain - for astronomical and navigational data. Privately published almanacs, such as Benjamin Franklin's Poor Richard's Almanac, were generally not adequate for scientific use. The Office was placed under the direction of Lieutenant Charles Henry Davis, an experienced naval officer with a scientific background and personal associations with prominent American scientists. Davis established the Office in Cambridge, Massachusetts, independent of the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington. In Cambridge the Office had access to Harvard University and Professor Benjamin Peirce, the leading American mathematician of the time. The Office would remain in Cambridge until 1866, when it was moved to Washington, DC. In 1893, the Nautical Almanac Office moved into office space at the U.S. Naval Observatory's new home north of Georgetown. In 1852, the Office published its first volume, The American Ephemeris and Nautical Almanac for 1855. An extract of this, The American Nautical Almanac for 1855, was issued for mariners. The American Ephemeris and Nautical Almanac provided data needed by astronomers and surveyors. In addition to its practical purpose, it served as a source of national pride. The volume was regarded as an important demonstration of the developing scientific prowess in the United States. The American Ephemeris and Nautical Almanac and its successors, The Astronomical Almanac and The Nautical Almanac, have been published continuously ever since. The Air Almanac, a publication geared towards aviation navigation, has been published continuously since 1941. Over the years, the Nautical Almanac Office has employed several of the nation's most able astronomers and mathematicians, including Simon Newcomb and G. W. Hill, whose 19th Century theories on the motions of the planets remained in use until the 1980's. In the 1940's, the first mechanical computers dramatically improved the accuracy and streamlined the production of the Almanacs. In the 1960's, the Office established a close and lasting relationship with Her Majesty's Nautical Almanac Office in Great Britain and with scientists at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The Astronomical Almanac (a new, joint publication of the British and American Offices) was introduced in 1984. Today, the Nautical Almanac Office is a part of the USNO's Astronomical Applications Department. It continues to provide annual printed almanacs for air and marine navigation, and for use by astronomers worldwide. In addition, it continues to develop and refine computer-based almanacs, such as the Multiyear Interactive Computer Almanac (MICA), and to provide a wide range of free, interactive almanac data via the USNO's World Wide Web site. In addition to providing critical astronomical data, the Astronomical Applications Department also carries out a modest research program in diverse areas, including celestial mechanics, positional astronomy, and navigation, to enable it to meet future needs. (Based on a press release of the Public Affairs Office, U.S. Naval Observatory. Information Contact: John Bangert, bangert@aa.usno.navy.mil . Press Contact: Geoff Chester, grc@spica.usno.navy.mil) ........................................................................... Item 3 ENHA No. 34, March 8, 1999 ........................................................................... Symposium announcement ---------------------- (From: "Elektronische Mitteilungen zur Astronomiegeschichte" Nr. 37, 22. Januar 1999, Item 3.) THE LEGACY OF J.C. KAPTEYN An overview of Kapteyn's influence on astronomy Groningen, The Netherlands, June 9 - 11, 1999 AIMS ---- The University of Groningen was founded in 1614 and consequently will be celebrating in 1999 its 385th anniversary. In this year we are less than 2 years away from the end of the twentieth century and the beginning of the third millennium. When the twentieth century started, Kapteyn had just completed publication (between 1896 and 1900) of the "Cape Photographic Durchmusterung", a work that established his international fame and leadership. Kapteyn's influence on astronomy in the Netherlands is still alive; in fact it may be safely stated that the success of Dutch astronomy in this century has for a major part been derived from Kapteyn through his work, his students and his strong commitment to international collaboration. As part of the University's celebration of its lustrum a symposium will be held which is organized by both the Kapteyn Astronomical Institute and the History Department. The primary aim is to concentrate on issues related to the sociology of Kapteyn's influence. It would be of interest to try to trace the continuation of Kapteyn's initiatives in research, campaigns and organizations by concentrating on both persons and themes. The symposium will last three days with six half-day sessions, mainly made up of invited contributions. Speakers include W.E. Krul, W.T. Sullivan, W.R. de Sitter, M. Schmidt, D. DeVorkin, R. Smith, G. Gilmore, M.A.C. Perryman, L. Woltjer and various members of the Scientific Organizing Committee. The final program will leave ample time for discussion. The symposium should be attended by an international audience consisting of both astronomers with a historical interest and historians of astronomy and natural science. More information about this symposium and how to register can be obtained by visiting the symposium's web-page or sending an e-mail or letter to the LOC. ORGANIZATION ------------ Scientific Organizing Committee: Chairpersons: Prof. P.C. van der Kruit, Prof. K. van Berkel Other members: Prof. A. Blaauw, Prof. M.W. Feast, Prof. O. Gingerich, Dr. K.H. Kuijken, Prof. J.D. North, Prof. D.E. Osterbrock, Dr. P.R. Wesselius Local Organizing Committee: Chairperson: D.H.N. Staal Other members: Prof. T.S. van Albada, T.A. Jurriens, J.P. Terlouw, H.P. Zondervan-Kimsma E-mail: jck99@astro.rug.nl WWW page: http://www.astro.rug.nl/~jck99/ Post address: Kapteyn Institute, LOC Kapteyn Symposium P.O. Box 800 NL-9700 AV Groningen The Netherlands ........................................................................... Item 4 ENHA No. 34, March 8, 1999 ........................................................................... Workshop announcement --------------------- (From: "Elektronische Mitteilungen zur Astronomiegeschichte" Nr. 37, 22. Januar 1999, Item 4.) ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF OBSERVATIONAL ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS Homage to MIKLOS KONKOLY THEGE (1842-1916) Tihany (Hungary), 13--15 August 1999 FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT PURPOSE ------- The purpose of this workshop is to mark the centenary of the founding of the Konkoly Observatory in 1899 as a research institution of the Hungarian state. The workshop will bring together international experts in the history of observational astronomy and astrophysics to present papers on various topics. These topics will relate to observational astrophysics in the era when Konkoly himself was active. TOPICS COVERED -------------- The main topics to be covered will be: - Solar, stellar and solar-system astrophysics - Instrumentation, telescopes and observatories - Scientific results and concepts in astrophysics - The interaction between astronomy and fundamental physics, and the consequent birth of astrophysics - The relationships between astronomers in the time of Konkoly and his contemporaries - International programmes in observational astronomy (such as Carte du Ciel and CPD) and catalogues (Harvard photometry and HD Catalogue, etc.) - The formation of international organisations (International Solar Union, and later of IAU from the Astrographic Congress, etc.) The workshop will explore topics such as these as they were in the half century 1870-1920, which includes all the years when Konkoly himself was active, from the time of his early interest in astronomy, the founding of his private observatory in 1871, through to the time of his death in 1916 and to the building of the National Observatory at Svabhegy in Budapest in the 1920s. The workshop will not be devoted just to the life and work of Konkoly himself, but will explore themes in international astronomy and astrophysics current at the time of Konkoly and especially those which he himself espoused. DATES ----- Friday August 13 to Sunday August 15, 1999. The workshop follows on immediately after the conclusion of IAU Symposium 176. VENUE ----- The venue is a Conference Center of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences at Tihany, Lake Balaton, Hungary. Group transport from Budapest will be organized on August 13 (Friday afternoon), busses will bring participants back to Budapest on Sunday August 15. ACCOMMODATION ------------- Guesthouse-type accommodation on the premises of the same Conference Center. We have booked a number of rooms with double and triple occupancy for the nights of August 13 and 14. The cost for a double room (single or double occupancy) is about DM 50 per night, a room for three persons is about DM 75 per night. These prices do not include breakfast. PARTICIPATION ------------- The number of participants is restricted to 25, and participation is by invitation only. REGISTRATION ------------ Interested participants are invited to register with the enclosed registration form (which is also available at our website http://www.vub.ac.be/STER/KONKOLY/tihany.html). The registration fee is DM 120 and will cover one copy of the proceedings, the group transport from Budapest to Tihany and back, the rent of the conference room, and simple breakfast (catered by ourselves) on the days of August 14 and 15. Cash payment is accepted at the moment of registration. ACCOMPANYING PERSONS -------------------- We welcome accompanying persons, and there is no charge for registered guests. FINANCIAL SUPPORT ----------------- We try to run the Workshop with almost no financial sponsoring. Therefore, WE CANNOT OFFER TRAVEL SUPPORT TO ANY OF THE PARTICIPANTS. Partial waving of the registration fee can exceptionally be granted to young participants who are not supported by a home institute. Applications for such support should be made well in advance of the meeting. PROCEEDINGS ----------- All oral papers will be included in the Proceedings, which will be edited by C. Sterken and J. Hearnshaw. PRELIMINARY LIST OF SPEAKERS ---------------------------- Lajos Balazs Hilmar Duerbeck John Hearnshaw Istvan Jankovics James Caplan Dimitar Sasselov Anneliese Schnell Klaus Staubermann Chris Sterken Endre Zsoldos Mine Takeuti Magda Vargha Brian Warner Gudrun Wolfschmidt ________________________________________________________________________ Scientific Organizing Committee: | Local Organizing Committee: | Chris Sterken | Magda Vargha University of Brussels | Laszlo Szabados Brussels, Belgium | Endre Zsoldos (csterken@vub.ac.be) | (vargha@buda.konkoly.hu) | (szabados@buda.konkoly.hu) John Hearnshaw | (zsoldos@buda.konkoly.hu) University of Canterbury | Christchurch, New Zealand | Konkoly Observatory (j.hearnshaw@phys.canterbury.ac.nz) | Budapest, Hungary ________________________________________|_______________________________ ======================================================================= = = = REGISTRATION FORM = = = ======================================================================= ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF OBSERVATIONAL ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS Homage to MIKLOS KONKOLY THEGE (1842-1916) Tihany (Hungary), 13--15 August 1999 Family Name: First Name: Postal address: FAX: E-mail address: Number of accompanying persons (with numbers): Please complete if you wish to present a paper: Title: Authors: Duration of talk: Abstract: Accommodation: please indicate your choice: 0 I prefer single occupancy 0 I wish to share a double room with: 0 I wish to share a triple room with: Return to: Chris Sterken, University of Brussels, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium, e-mail: csterken@vub.ac.be, fax: 32 93623976 AN UP-TO-DATE VERSION OF THE ANNOUNCEMENTS IS AVAILABLE AT: http://www.vub.ac.be/STER/KONKOLY/tihany.html ........................................................................... Item 5 ENHA No. 34, March 8, 1999 ........................................................................... Symposium announcement ---------------------- XVIII International Scientific Instrument Symposium Moscow - St. Petersburg, Russia 20-25 September 1999 The International Scientific Instrument Symposium will be for the first time held in Russia in 1999. The Organizers of the Symposium in the Russian Federation are The Institute of the History of Science and Technology of Russian Academy of Sciences, and The Union of Scientific and Engineering Associations. The Symposium includes sessions with papers in Moscow (20-22 September 1999) and a two-day post-conference tour to St.Petersburg for visiting museums and institutes (23-24 September 1999). The Symposium will be held in the year of the 275th anniversary of the foundation of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Creation of the Academy was based on the establishment of close connections with scholars and scientific institutions of other countries. With this in mind, the main theme of the symposium is: Historical relations between Russia and other countries in the field of scientific instruments. Although this theme will be given priority, papers on other problems will be included as well. Abstracts with not more than 300 words are to be sent by mail to the Conference Office before April 30, 1999. Speakers will have 20 minutes for their reports; an additional 5 minutes will be given to answer questions. Poster papers will be allowed also. Address of the Conference Office: XVIII International Scientific Instrument Symposium Institute of the History of Science and Technology, RAS Staropanski per., 1/5, Moscow, 103012, Russia. Telephone: (095) 921 8061 Fax: (095) 925 9911 E-mail: borisov@history.ihst.ru Location and Fees The Symposium will be held in the Conference Hall at the Presidium of Russian Academy of Sciences. Accommodations for participants will be at the nearby hotel Sputnik except for students (those paying the reduced students fee) who will be offered accommodations at a students hostel. The address of the hotel is: Hotel Sputnik Leninsky prospekt 38, Moscow (from metro station Leninsky prospect the hotel is 7 min. walk away). The registration fee includes: hotel accommodation, lunches and coffee-breaks during the sessions, documents (book of abstracts, notebook, postcards, etc.), receptions and conference dinner, excursions to museums and bus service. The standard registration fee is: $500 if payment is made before 1st June. $550 if payment is made on or after 1st June. A reduced registration fee for students is $420. Participants who wish to go to St. Petersburg should make additional payment for this trip. Payment for the trip to St. Petersburg (23rd-24th September) includes: railway ticket to St. Petersburg (and back if necessary), hotel accommodation, meals, excursions to museums and bus service. The cost of the trip to St. Petersburg is: $275 for those who leave Russia from St. Petersburg. $350 for those who return to Moscow. Preliminary Programme Arrival - Moscow Sunday September 19 Arrival of the symposium participants Check in at the Hotel Sputnik or student Hostel Moscow Conference Monday September 20 Opening Session Papers Excursion to the Kremlin with visit to the Armoury Opening Reception Tuesday September 21 Papers Excursion to the State Polytechnical Museum Reception in the Museum Wednesday September 22 Papers Plenary Session of the Scientific Instrument Commission Excursions to Moscow museums (by choice): - Museum of the Astronomical Institute named after P.K. Sternberg - Exhibition devoted to the modern aspects of instrument development held in Bauman Moscow State Technical University - Museum of Moscow State University of Geodesy and Cartography - The Faculty of Physics of Moscow State University - Museum of History of Moscow Medical Academy named after I. Sechenov - The State Historical Museum Memorial Museum of P.L. Kapitza Departure to St. Petersburg for a two-day excursion. St. Petersburg Trip Thursday September 23 Excursion to the Museum "The State Hermitage" Lecture delivered by V. Matveev: "Scientific instruments and watches in the Hermitage Collection" Visits to St. Petersburg museums (by choice): - D.I. Mendeleev Archival Museum in St. Petersburg University - Museum of the Radium Institute named after V.P. Khlopin - Central Museum of Communications named after A.S. Popov Friday September 24 Visit to the Lomonosov Museum and the Observatory named after A. Voieikov Lecture delivered by N. Nevskaya: "Instruments of the St. Petersburg Observatory" Visits to St. Petersburg area museums (by choice): - Central Navy Museum - Museum of the Research Institute of the HF currents named after V.P. Vologdin - Museum-laboratory named after A.S. Popov in Kronstadt Closing Reception For more information, please contact the Conference Office, or visit the Symposium's Web site at http://www.sic.iuhps.org/conf1999/ ........................................................................... Imprint ------- Electronic Newsletter for the History of Astronomy (ENHA) 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. Arbeitskreis Astronomiegeschichte / Working Group for the History of Astronomy: URL: http://www.astro.uni-bonn.de/~pbrosche/astoria.html Chairman: Prof. Dr. Peter Brosche, Observatorium Hoher List der Sternwarte der Universitaet Bonn, D-54550 Daun, Germany, Tel.: +49(0)6592 2150, Fax: +49(0)6592 985140 Secretary: Dr. Wolfgang R. Dick, Bundesamt fuer Kartographie und Geodaesie, Aussenstelle Potsdam, Postfach 60 08 08, D-14408 Potsdam, Germany, Tel.: +49(0)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" ***************************************************************************