*************************************************************************** * * * ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER FOR THE HISTORY OF ASTRONOMY * * * * Published by the Working Group for the History of Astronomy * * in the Astronomische Gesellschaft * * * * Number 49, December 19, 2001 * * * * Edited by: Wolfgang R. Dick * * * *************************************************************************** Contents -------- 1. Glenn A. Walsh: 60th Anniversary of Astronomical Observatory at Original Buhl Planetarium 2. F. Richard Stephenson et al.: The Inter-Union Commission for History of Astronomy 3. The International Interdisciplinary Scientific Association "Astroarchaeocaucasus" 4. Stuart Williams: Bringing British Local Astronomy History to First Light: An Invitation 5. Stuart Williams: Historia Coelestis - A New Astronomy History Forum 6. New Books Acknowledgements Imprint ........................................................................... Item 1 ENHA No. 49, Dec. 19, 2001 ........................................................................... 60th Anniversary of Astronomical Observatory at Original Buhl Planetarium ------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Glenn A. Walsh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA Monday, November 19, 2001, marked the 60th anniversary of the dedication of "The People's Observatory" at the original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science in Allegheny Center on Pittsburgh's North Side. Although dedicated to public use, The People's Observatory was constructed to research observatory specifications, at a cost of $30,000 (1941 dollars). This included the erection of the Observatory's fairly unique telescope, the 10-inch Siderostat-type Refractor Telescope produced by Chicago's Gaertner Scientific Company. Unlike most telescopes, the Siderostat-type telescope is mounted horizontally on a concrete base and does not move. A moving mirror, behind the telescope, reflects the Sun, Moon, planets, and stars into the telescope. This telescope continues to be the second largest operable, Siderostat-type telescope in the world! Well-known Astronomer Harlow Shapley, who was then Director of the Harvard College Observatory, presented the keynote address at the dedication ceremony. First Light, through the Siderostat-type telescope, came from the ringed-planet Saturn. The Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science had actually been dedicated and conveyed to the City of Pittsburgh, by the Buhl Foundation (at that time, thirteenth largest foundation in the country!), on October 24, 1939. Prior to the Observatory dedication ceremony, Buhl's third floor observatory had been used by the Amateur Astronomers' Association of Pittsburgh (AAAP) for public observing with portable telescopes. Once the Siderostat was in use, AAAP members supervised public observing sessions on clear evenings - at that time, Buhl was open to the public every evening (except New Year's Day) until 10:30 p.m.! Along with the acquisition of Buhl's Zeiss II Planetarium Projector (now the oldest operable, major planetarium projector in the world!), the Buhl Planetarium also ordered a portable telescope from the Carl Zeiss Optical Works in Jena, Germany in 1939, for use in the Observatory. To the dismay of Buhl officials when opening the package from Germany, they received a 4-inch terrestrial refracting telescope (which uses additional optics to show a right-side-up image); they had ordered an astronomical refractor telescope (which has fewer lenses to degrade the image and shows an upside-down image). However, with the commencement of World War II on September 1, 1939, they could not return the telescope to Germany and have an astronomical refractor sent in its place. Hence, they had to make-do with a terrestrial refractor. So, today the City of Pittsburgh owns a good Zeiss telescope (now used at the Henry Buhl, Jr. Planetarium and Observatory of The Carnegie Science Center) with a very interesting history! In addition to evening use, the Siderostat projects a superb display of the Sun onto a large projection screen, showing both sunspots and granulation on the solar surface. Also, during daytime hours, the public has been able to view the planets Mercury, Venus (showing phase), Mars, and Jupiter (including cloud belts), as well as the Moon and stars down to third magnitude, with the Siderostat. Although primarily used for public observing, the Siderostat has been used for some research, from time-to-time. During the 1980s, Buhl Planetarium Lecturer Francis G. Graham (Founder of the American Lunar Society) took photographs of the South Pole area of the Moon, as part of a cooperative research project with other American astronomers. These photographs aided the production of a better map of the South Pole area of the Moon, than existed at that time. Dedicated as "The People's Observatory" in 1941, this name fell out of use after World War II. During the Cold War, the proliferation of Communist states known as "People's Republics" tarnished the meaning of the word "People's." Hence, "The People's Observatory" name was no longer used - which is a shame considering that Buhl Planetarium used the word "People's" first! Another interesting historic anecdote: On the same evening of the Observatory dedication, Buhl started a new Planetarium Sky Show and opened a new gallery exhibit. The Sky Show, regarding Celestial Navigation, was titled "Bombers by Starlight" (Buhl provided Celestial Navigation classes to many military servicemen, during World War II). The new exhibit, in Buhl's lower-level Octagon Gallery (which encircles the planetarium projector pit, below the planetarium's "Theater of the Stars") was titled "Can America Be Bombed?" This exhibit opened two and one-half weeks before the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii! Although Buhl Planetarium's People's Observatory has not been used since 1994, it is hoped that it may be reopened to the public within the next few years. More information on the history of The People's Observatory at Buhl Planetarium can be learned on the Internet at the following address: < http://buhlplanetarium2.tripod.com >. Author's address: Glenn A. Walsh, e-mail: gawalsh@planetarium.cc ........................................................................... Item 2 ENHA No. 49, Dec. 19, 2001 ........................................................................... The Inter-Union Commission for History of Astronomy --------------------------------------------------- By F. Richard Stephenson, Alexander Gurshtein, Wayne Orchiston, and Stephen J. Dick We are very pleased to report the recent formation of the Inter-Union Commission for History of Astronomy (ICHA) by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and the International Union of the History and Philosophy of Science (IUHPS). The ICHA is an international body representing the interests of all professional historians of astronomy worldwide. It encourages research by members, facilitates communication between researchers, organizes scientific meetings, undertakes collaborative projects, and publishes a newsletter. The Union will also prepare recommendations for the IAU and the IUHPS, and liaise with other international organisations. Membership is open to the entire history of astronomy community. Those who are IAU members become full members of the Commission, while those who conduct their research through the IUHPS become associate members. New members (of either kind) are elected to the ICHA at the triennial General Assemblies of the IAU (the next one is in Sydney, Australia, in July 2003). The ICHA is governed by an Organising Committee (OC) of ten. The inaugural OC, which is based upon the current OC of IAU Commission 41, comprises: President: Prof Richard Stephenson (UK: f.r.stephenson@durham.ac.uk) Vice-President: Prof Alex Gurshtein (Russia: agurshtein@hotmail.com) Secretary: Dr Wayne Orchiston (Australia: wo@aaoepp.aao.gov.au) Members: Dr Steven Dick (USA: steve.dick@usno.navy.mil) Dr Wolfgang Dick (Germany: wdi@potsdam.ifag.de) Prof Rajesh Kochhar (India: rkochhar2000@yahoo.com) Dr Tsuko Nakamura (Japan: tsuko@cc.nao.ac.jp) Prof Il-Seong Nha (Korea: SLISNHA@chollian.net) Prof Woodruff Sullivan (USA: woody@astro.washington.edu) Prof Brian Warner (South Africa: Warner@physci.uct.ac.za) A new OC will be elected at the Sydney General Assembly. Production of ICHA Newsletters is the responsibility of an Editorial Board elected by the ICHA OC. The following inaugural Editorial Board has been formed: Dr Ileana Chinnici (Italy), Professor Alex Gurshtein (Russia), Dr Wayne Orchiston (Australia) and Professor Richard Stephenson. At this stage, our intention is to distribute two newsletters per year, in June and December. The establishment of a genuine Inter-Union Commission is a major step forward for the history of astronomy community. IAU Commission 41 was founded in 1948, and for decades there was close co-operation between colleagues from this Commission and those associated with the IUHPS. During the 1970s an attempt was made to have C41 formally recognised as a joint Commission of the two Unions, but this initiative was unsuccessful. However, this did not stop colleagues from collaborating on a number of important joint projects, including the Greenwich Tercentenary Symposium in 1979, the General History of Astronomy volumes (1982), and in more recent years (during the 1990s) the international documentation of astronomical archives. Even though its status was unchanged, in 1994 the idea somehow took hold that C41 had become "A joint IAU-IUHPS Commission" (IAU Transactions XXIIB, p. 207), and this notion was perpetuated through the 1994 ICSU Yearbook (see p. 104). Once this fiction of a "Joint Commission" or "Inter-Union Commission" was established, it was subsequently accepted without question by those associated with the IAU and the IUHPS - including the undersigned! It was only in late 2000 that the true situation was discovered, and the quest for a genuine Inter-Union Commission became a priority of the C41 OC. This proved a daunting task, and one which involved many months of research, consultation and negotiation, never-ending e-mail exchanges, frequent international telephone calls, and even meetings in Paris. However, all this is now behind us, and under the aegis of the ICHA historians of astronomy worldwide can look forward to an era of unprecedented harmonious co-operation and collaboration. [Source: The ICHA Newsletter, No. 1, June 2001, p. 2-3; slightly abridged.] ........................................................................... Item 3 ENHA No. 49, Dec. 19, 2001 ........................................................................... The International Interdisciplinary Scientific Association ---------------------------------------------------------- "Astroarchaeocaucasus" ---------------------- As it is known, Archaeoastronomy is a new interesting interdisciplinary direction. Astronomic outlook of the Ancients, according to artifacts, archaeological exhibits, ethnical materials is studied by astronomers, physicists, mathematicians, archaeologists, historians, ethnographers and specialists of other branches of science and culture. Uniformity and similarity of astral representations of geometrical figures of ancient artifacts points to the propinquity of the cultures of various peoples of the world. The Caucasus is a good example of this. Here, on the crossing of cultures and civilizations one can meet artifacts, archaeological findings, ancient items with astronomical, cosmological, proper geometrical symbols and signs having similar shape and ornaments, scientific-philosophical content. Direct and symbolic representation of heavenly bodies and their systems are found on ancient stone and metallic articles, on the walls of cult buildings, plates, coins, women's adornments, weapons and house utensils of ancient peoples of the Caucasus. This very rich archaeoastronomic material is poorly studied. This layer of culture needs thorough investigation and popularization. On February 22, 2001 the new International Interdisciplinary Scientific Association "Astroarchaeocaucasus" was founded by an initiative group consisting of specialists of different fields of sciences and culture. This international association gathers specialists of astronomy, physics, mathematics, archaeology, history, ethnography, culture-studying, information science, etc. On June 29, 2001, the International Interdisciplinary Scientific Association was registered by the Georgian State Court of Justice as an international non-governmental organization. The main objectives of the association's activities are: 1. Search and investigation of archaeoastronomic artifacts on the territory of the Caucasian countries. 2. Identification, interpretation, cataloguization of archaeoastronomic artifacts, both discovered recently or kept at the centres and bases of archaeological expeditions. 3. Comparative analysis of the Caucasian archaeoastronomic artifacts and the archaeoastronomic artifacts from other regions of the world. 4. Holding seminars and conferences on Caucasian archaeoastronomy. 5. Publication of bulletins, journals, books on archaeoastronomy of the Caucasian region. 6. Cooperation with specialists of different countries of the world, with international organizations, scientific centres, universities, museums, and libraries. At present we work on holding the first in Georgia and in the Caucasus seminar on archaeoastronomy and on preparing the first edition of a bulletin. We invite you to become a member of our association. We will be glad to see you among the specialists of different fields of sciences and culture not only from all regions of the Caucasus, but from the whole world. We candidly believe in cooperation with the scientific centres and other associations of scientists. The forms of cooperation can be of various kinds, flexible, beginning with carrying out joint field investigations and ending with the publications of joint scientific works, bulletins and books. You may propose your individual form of cooperation as well. We are ready to accept financial support, donations from patrons, businessmen, or commercial companies. Our principle is objectivity in science, culture without limitation, scientists without politics. To become a member of our association or to cooperate with us by individual programs, please contact us at the address given below. President: Dr. Irakli Simonia Secretary: George Chumburidze Address: astroarchaeo@ti.net.ge [Text provided by Irakli Simania.] ........................................................................... Item 4 ENHA No. 49, Dec. 19, 2001 ........................................................................... Bringing British Local Astronomy History to First Light: An Invitation ---------------------------------------------------------------------- By Stuart Williams, Bloxwich, England The story of the history of astronomy is a fascinating and often dramatic one. The point and counterpoint of momentous discoveries, eccentric and often adventurous characters, remarkable observatories and great telescopes form as much a history of humanity as does the march of armies and the life and death of kings. For the tale of the rise of science brings us to where we are, and what we know about the universe, today. It puts our world in context. Yet, as with much history, the story of the 'ordinary' men and women, the amateur scientists who work solely for the love of knowledge and the beauty of the night sky, and that of the working scientists, the assistants, the telescope makers, the observatory architects, the society organisers and magazine publishers, the great lecturers and the popular authors, is all too often lost in the stellar glare of the great men of our great science. In the last twenty years there has been a tremendous rise in the popularity of local history of the general kind, the history of towns and people where we all live. It is the province of the amateur historian as well as the professional and the academic, and much good research is done 'for the love of it'. Amateur astronomers know well the kind of contribution they can make to their favourite science. They can also make a similar - and in many cases even more significant - contribution to the history of that science, especially at the local level. The amateur especially, being 'on the scene' as it were, can take up the cause of the local astronomer, the forgotten observatory, the unknown observer, the obscure telescope maker or the 'companion stars' of the great names. Such research is important, as much information is hidden in the mists of time - and in the local and county record offices and the archives of societies and museums across the nation. It is also fun, and if approached in the right way can make a great contribution to the history of science - but it needs time and effort to bring it to light. In cloudy weather, a cosy record office is also more inviting than a wet and windy backyard, and provides a respite from that bane of astronomers - the British weather! I work as a local historian and archive photographer in England, and have a great interest both in amateur astronomy and in the history of astronomy. Earlier this year, therefore, I approached the eminent and popular astronomy historian Dr. Allan Chapman of Wadham College, Oxford, with a concept for a national survey of local astronomy history. The idea was to encourage the formation of a network of both budding and experienced astronomy historians, whether amateur or professional, to work on a voluntary basis at the local level, surveying, photographing and researching local astronomers, observatories, planetaria, telescope makers, societies etc, of all periods. Anyone who has read Dr. Chapman's inspiring book 'The Victorian Amateur Astronomer', or heard him speak on the subject, will know the kind of research of which I write. Dr. Chapman received my suggestion enthusiastically, and further suggested the formation of a 'Society for the History of Astronomy' to coordinate the work, its publication, its dissemination and its preservation. While Dr. Chapman is unable to take part in the day to day running of such an organisation due to other commitments, he has nevertheless kindly offered his support. The Royal Astronomical Society's Librarian, Mr. Peter D. Hingley, has also expressed interest in housing at least a copy of any research at the RAS Library. I know that there are people out there doing this kind of research in isolation, or who are interested in taking it up but are not sure how. Working together, we can bring the local history of astronomy to light, as well as enjoying its national and international story. I am therefore inviting anyone who might be interested in helping to organise and take part in such a national survey of local astronomy history, and in helping to form a new Society for the History of Astronomy, to contact me, with a view to organising a meeting in the New Year. If there is sufficient interest, then a start can be made. Interested parties should write, stating their interests and research experience, and enclosing an s.a.e., to: Stuart Williams, F.R.A.S., 26 Matlock Road, Bloxwich, Walsall, WS3 3QD, Great Britain. Or, by email, to: flamsteed@btinternet.com ........................................................................... Item 5 ENHA No. 49, Dec. 19, 2001 ........................................................................... Historia Coelestis - A New Astronomy History Forum -------------------------------------------------- By Stuart Williams, Bloxwich, England 'Historia Coelestis' is a new Yahoo Group set up as an electronic discussion forum for all those interested in the study of the History of Astronomy and of Star Lore, especially that of the ancient Greeks. It is a place to exchange knowledge and ideas and to comment on both contemporary and earlier work and publications, books etc in these specific subjects, whether academic, popular or amateur, and local, national or international in scope. Historia Coelestis is open to both professional and amateur researchers or those with a general interest in the subject, whether interested in the 'big names' in the history of astronomy or the lesser-known (or indeed, unknown!) amateur and professional players at the local level. 'Historia Coelestis' at Yahoo! Groups, a free, easy-to-use email group service, was founded on August 19, 2001. Currently is has about 60 members. Historia Coelestis means (among other things) "The Story of the Heavens" in Latin. To learn more about this group or to subscribe, please visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/historiacoelestis To subscribe, you may also send a message to historiacoelestis-subscribe@yahoogroups.com The list owner may be contacted at historiacoelestis-owner@yahoogroups.com ........................................................................... Item 6 ENHA No. 49, Dec. 19, 2001 ........................................................................... New Books --------- (From: "Elektronische Mitteilungen zur Astronomiegeschichte" Nr. 58, 7. September 2001, Item 5.) Koch, Juergen W.: Der Hamburger Spritzenmeister und Mechaniker Johann Georg Repsold (1770 - 1830), ein Beispiel fuer die Feinmechanik im norddeutschen Raum zu Beginn des 19. Jahrhunderts. Hamburg, 2001. 396 p., ill., ISBN 3-8311-2016-1, Paperback DM 58.67, Euro 30.00. [On the astronomer and instrument maker Johann Georg Repsold. In German. Production: Libri Books on Demand. Available at www.amazon.de.] Schaldach, Karlheinz: Roemische Sonnenuhren. Eine Einfuehrung in die antike Gnomonik [Roman sundials. An introduction into ancient gnomonics. - In German]. 3., korr. Aufl. [3d, corr. ed.] Frankfurt am Main: Verlag Harri Deutsch, 2001. 123 p., 66 ill., tabs., 15 x 21 cm, ISBN 3-8171-1649-7, Paperback DM 29.80 Wolfschmidt, Gudrun; Seemann, Agnes; Kuehl, Dieter: Hamburger Sternwarte - Geschichte und Erhaltung [Hamburg Observatory - History and Preservation. - In German.] Mit Beitraegen von [With contributions by] K.-J. Schramm, M. Huensch und E. Bollweg. Hamburg, 2001. 60 p., numerous ill., 19 x 27 cm, ISBN 3-8311-2159-1, Paperback DM 14.80 (Foerderverein Hamburger Sternwarte e.V.; Bd. 1) [Production: Libri Books on Demand. Available at www.amazon.de. Online version: http://www.hs.uni-hamburg.de/german/persons/kuehl/brosch/buch.PDF] ........................................................................... Acknowledgements ---------------- For information we thank all authors and in addition: Juergen Koch, Irakli Simonia, and Gudrun Wolfschmidt. ........................................................................... 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, Otterkiez 14, D-14478 Potsdam, Germany, 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 200 100 20 Please sign with: "Fuer Arbeitskreis Astronomiegeschichte" ***************************************************************************