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Electronic newsletter for the history of astronomy 59
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* *
* ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER FOR THE HISTORY OF ASTRONOMY *
* *
* Published by the Working Group for the History of Astronomy *
* in the Astronomische Gesellschaft *
* *
* Number 59, March 26, 2005 *
* *
* Edited by: Wolfgang R. Dick and Hilmar W. Duerbeck *
* *
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Contents
--------
1. Symposium "Time and astronomy in past cultures"
2. Fifth International Conference on the Inspiration of Astronomical
Phenomena
3. Seventh Biennial History of Astronomy Workshop
4. Summer School "Instruments at Work"
5. Albert Einstein Century International Conference
6. XXIVth Scientific Instrument Symposium
7. Symposium "Sharing the Celestial Sphere"
8. Historical Astronomy Division (HAD) Meeting
Acknowledgements
Imprint
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Item 1 ENHA No. 59, March 26, 2005
...........................................................................
Symposium "Time and astronomy in past cultures"
-----------------------------------------------
(From: "Elektronische Mitteilungen zur Astronomiegeschichte" Nr. 73,
20. Maerz 2005, Item 2.)
Torun, March 30 - April 1, 2005
The Department of Historical Anthropology at the Institute of Archaeology,
Warsaw University, together with Torun Planetarium is organising a
symposium entitled "Time and astronomy in past cultures", in memory of
Professor Andrzej Wiercinski (1930-2003). The symposium will take place in
Torun, March 30 - April 1, 2005 under the auspices of Societe Europeenne
pour l'Astronomie dans la Culture (SEAC, www.iac.es/SEAC/SEAC.html).
1. Main topics.
Our aim is to provoke an interdisciplinary discussion about the time
reckoning and astronomical tools of time measuring and calendars in past
cultures, with special focus on ancient civilizations of the Old and New
World. Proposed (but not obligatory) topics are:
1) calendars and calendar festivals,
2) solar vs. lunar calendars and their arranging,
3) time reckoning and historical perspective.
The symposium will be dedicated to the memory of Professor Andrzej
Wiercinski, pioneer Polish researcher of astronomy in culture.
2. The location.
The symposium will be held in Torun, the city where Nikolaus Copernicus
was born (cf. www.um.torun.pl/torun/baza/pierwsza_en.php).
The symposium events will take place in the Old Town: the planetarium,
Copernicus' House and the City Hall.
3. Fees and grants.
The conference fee is EUR 20 (accompanying persons EUR 15, students EUR
15). It will cover symposium materials as well as refreshments during
sessions. It can be paid upon arrival. The lunches and dinners during three
days of symposium will cost about EUR 7 each. Colleagues from Eastern
Europe can apply for a grant covering the travel and accommodation costs,
as well as the conference fee. There will be at least 5 such grants of EUR
120 each, alloted by the Organizing Committee on the grounds of abstracts.
One-day optional trip to the Iron Age stone circles of Odry and Wesiory is
planned after the symposium; its cost will be about EUR 40 (including
transportation & meals).
4. Accommodation.
The participants may select their preferred accommodation from the
following list of hotels and hostels (the prices may have slightly
changed):
Mercure-Helios ***, about half kilometer apart from the Old Town
http://www.orbis.pl/mercureheliostorun/
(single room 320 PLN, double room 380 PLN, app. EUR 70 / 80)
Heban ***, a baroque house in the Old Town
(single room 190 PLN, double room 300 PLN, app. EUR 40 / 65)
Trzy Korony [Three Crowns] **, located close to the City Hall in the Old
Town
(single room 150 PLN, double room 190 PLN, app. EUR 35 / 40)
Polonia **, 200 meters from the City Hall in the Old Town
(single room 150 PLN, double room 190 PLN, app. EUR 35 / 40)
Wodnik [Aquarius] **, close to the Old Town, on Vistula river
http://www.hotelwodnik.com.pl/
(single room 100 PLN, double room 140 PLN, app. EUR 22 / 30)
PTTK [Polish Tourism Society] hostel, about one and half kilometer apart
from the Old Town, bath in the corridor
(single room 60 PLN, double room 70 PLN, app. EUR 13 / 15)
7. Publication.
The proceedings of the symposium will be published in a reviewed volume,
in collaboration with SEAC and Torun's City Hall.
8. Organizing Committee.
Mariusz S. Ziolkowski (Department of Historical Anthropology, Warsaw
University)
Lucjan Broniewicz (Torun Planetarium)
Arkadiusz Soltysiak (Department of Historical Anthropology, Warsaw
University)
The correspondence should be sent to Arkadiusz Soltysiak,
Department of Historical Anthropology, Institute of Archaeology, Warsaw
University, ul. Krakowskie Przedmie cie 26/28, 00-927 Warszawa, Poland,
phone (48 22) 5520129, fax (48 22) 826 90 30, e-mail
A.Soltysiak@uw.edu.pl.
[Source: text provided by Arkadiusz Soltysiak]
...........................................................................
Item 2 ENHA No. 59, March 26, 2005
...........................................................................
Fifth International Conference on the Inspiration of Astronomical Phenomena
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(From: "Elektronische Mitteilungen zur Astronomiegeschichte" Nr. 73,
20. Maerz 2005, Item 3.)
Inspiration of Astronomical Phenomena Conference ("INSAP V"),
Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum, Chicago, June 26 - July 1, 2005
INSAP conferences explore the rich and diverse ways in which people of the
past and present incorporate astronomical events into literary, visual, and
performance arts. This emphasis distinguishes INSAP from other conferences
that focus on archeoastronomy, ethnoastronomy, or cultural astronomy. INSAP
provides a mechanism for a broad sampling of artists, writers, musicians,
historians, philosophers, scientists, and others to talk about the
diversity of astronomical inspiration.
INSAP V will be based at the Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum in
Chicago from June 26 - July 1, 2005. Mornings and early afternoons are
devoted to conference presentations. Afternoons and evenings will include
field trips and artistic performances. Venues include the University of
Chicago's Oriental Institute, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Adler
Planetarium.
Invited speakers at INSAP V include Barbara Stafford, Professor of Art
History, University of Chicago; Jim Kaler, Professor Emeritus of Astronomy,
University of Illinois; John Carswell, former curator of Islamic art at the
Oriental Institute and Sotheby's; Donna Cox, Professor of Art and Design,
University of Illinois; Mary Quinlan, Professor of Art History, Northern
Illinois University; and Michael Shank, Professor of the History of
Science, University of Wisconsin.
INSAP V is dedicated to the memory of one of its founders and strong
supporters, Ray White, Jr.
Further information are available on the INSAP website:
www.adlerplanetarium.org/INSAPV
Questions should be sent to INSAPV@adernet.org or:
INSAP V
History of Astronomy Department
Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum
1300 South Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60605
[Source: Rolf Sinclair to HASTRO-L, the History of Astronomy Discussion
Group, 1 Dec 2004]
...........................................................................
Item 3 ENHA No. 59, March 26, 2005
...........................................................................
Seventh Biennial History of Astronomy Workshop
----------------------------------------------
(From: "Elektronische Mitteilungen zur Astronomiegeschichte" Nr. 73,
20. Maerz 2005, Item 4.)
The Seventh Biennial History of Astronomy Workshop will be held at the
University of Notre Dame on 7-10 July 2005. The Biennial History of
Astronomy Workshops typically attract about 60-65 scholars interested in
the history of astronomy. Comfortable and economical accommodation is
available in the dormitories of Notre Dame, and provide an intimate setting
for a weekend devoted to scholarship. This year's invited speaker will be
Clive Ruggles, Professor of Archaeoastronomy in the School of Archaeology &
Ancient History at the University of Leicester.
Poster paper proposals will be accepted until April 1, 2005.
Details for submitting a proposal can be found at:
http://www.nd.edu/~histast4/ndviiinfo/proposals.html
Fuller information on the upcoming conference can be found at:
http://www.nd.edu/~histast4/ndviiinfo
Contacts:
Matthew F. Dowd
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN 46556
USA
[Source: Matt Dowd to HASTRO-L, 5 and 6 Oct 2004, 3 Jan 2005]
...........................................................................
Item 4 ENHA No. 59, March 26, 2005
...........................................................................
Summer School "Instruments at Work"
-----------------------------------
(From: "Elektronische Mitteilungen zur Astronomiegeschichte" Nr. 73,
20. Maerz 2005, Item 5.)
First Dutch International Summer School in the History of Science 2005,
Utrecht, The Netherlands, 3 - 16 July 2005
This Summer School will be organized around the rich collection of
historical scientific instruments from the last 500 years kept at Utrecht,
and all sessions will employ actual instruments. The emphasis will be on
hands-on experience. Examination and testing of historical instruments will
be combined with an investigation of the historical records surrounding
their employment, the functions they fulfilled within the evolution of
scientific disciplines, the rituals of which they formed part, and their
wider societal significance.
Participants will be invited to carry out actual experiments with
historical tools and to consider both tools and experimental results from a
series of methodological angles. They will be exposed to the whole range of
instruments from serially fabricated scientific machinery to paper tools.
They will be shown the complex and often problematic role of a given
instrument within the formation, dissemination or refutation of a
scientific theory. They will also be introduced to new ways of
understanding instruments as agents of scientific change, as problematic
oracles of silent nature, and as icons of cultural identity. Furthermore,
they will hear about curatorial aspects of instrument accessing and
restoration. Finally, they will be involved in discussions surrounding the
functions of science museums and collections of historical instruments.
The summer school, which is jointly organized by historians of science and
curators of scientific instruments, is intended for graduate students and
young scholars interested in historic scientific instruments. The Summer
School will take place at Utrecht. The program includes sessions at
Leiden's Museum Boerhaave, Amsterdam's Scheepvaartmuseum (Nautical Museum),
Haarlem's Teylers Museum, and the private Collection Peter Louwman.
Speakers include:
William Andrewes, Paolo Brenni, Thomas Dohmen, Sven Dupre, Marian Fournier,
Albert van Helden, Anke te Heesen, Peter Heering, Jan Hogendijk, Stephen
Johnston, Christoph Luethy, Frans van Lunteren, Bert Nederbragt, Rob van
Gent, Peter Louwman, Willem Maerzer Bruyns, Lodewijk Palm, Carla Rita
Palmerino, Jutta Schickore, Henning Schmidgen, Klaus Staubermann, Diederick
Wildeman, and others.
Organisation:
Utrecht Institute for the History and Foundations of Science &
University Museum Utrecht
Target group:
Graduate students and young academics and curators interested in the
history of scientific instruments
Number of participants:
Maximum 15
Fee:
895 Euro (includes tuition, accommodation, lunches, and excursions)
Accommodation:
Arranged through the University
Place:
Utrecht, The Netherlands
Period:
3-16 July 2005
Further information and application forms:
www.gewina.nl/summerschool2005
Organizers:
Dr. Klaus Staubermann, E-mail: k.b.staubermann@museum.uu.nl
Dr. Christoph Luethy, E-mail: luethy@phil.ru.nl
[Source: Klaus Staubermann to Rete mailing list, 5 Jan 2005]
...........................................................................
Item 5 ENHA No. 59, March 26, 2005
...........................................................................
Albert Einstein Century International Conference
------------------------------------------------
(From: "Elektronische Mitteilungen zur Astronomiegeschichte" Nr. 73,
20. Maerz 2005, Item 6.)
"Albert Einstein Century International Conference" will be held in Paris,
France from July 18 - 22, 2005. The conference will take place at the
Palais de l'Unesco in Paris.
The main purpose of this international conference is to put in perspective
the work of Einstein and the recent developments of the following
(potential) scientific and philosophical topics: Cosmology, Theory of
Unification, Theory of the Gravitation and Nature of Space - Time, Compact
Objects and high energies phenomena in the Universe, Nature of the Quantum
World, Brownian Motion, Philosophy, Politics, Biography and other aspects.
It will be a question of seeing how the questions raised by Einstein,
approximately one century ago, guided the scientific research though
sometimes the answers were founded in a way which was not considered by
Einstein.
Web site: http://einstein2005.obspm.fr
E-Mail: meeting.einstein2005@obspm.fr
[Source: George Gale to HASTRO-L, 5 Feb 2005]
...........................................................................
Item 6 ENHA No. 59, March 26, 2005
...........................................................................
XXIV Scientific Instrument Symposium
------------------------------------
(From: "Elektronische Mitteilungen zur Astronomiegeschichte" Nr. 73,
20. Maerz 2005, Item 7.)
Beijing, China, 24-30 July 2005
Meeting Announcement and Call for Papers
The Scientific Instrument Commission of the International Union for the
History and Philosophy of Science (hereafter referred to as SIC) will hold
its next (24th) annual meeting in Beijing, China, 24-30 July 2005, as part
of the 22nd International Congress for the History of Science (hereafter
referred to as the 22nd ICHS). Globalization and Diversity: Diffusion of
Science and Technology throughout History has been selected as the theme
for this conference.
For further information on this Congress, please consult these websites:
(a) general: http://2005bj.ihns.ac.cn/
(b) forms for registration, submission of abstracts, and hotel
reservations; discount airfare; information on Beijing; and tours
available: http://www.conference.ac.cn/ichs05.htm
How to Attend the SIC Symposium:
Those wishing to participate in the SIC meetings must register for the full
Congress. Early registration ends on 15 March 2005; after this date, there
will be a higher fee. The registration form can be completed online, or
downloaded, filled out, and mailed or emailed to the Secretariat of the
22nd ICHS.
Please also send a copy of your registration form to the Secretary of the
Scientific Instrument Commission (address below), so that we will know how
many SIC members plan to attend and can keep you informed of any special
SIC events or excursions that we arrange.
How To Deliver a Paper:
Those wishing to deliver a paper on scientific instruments as part of the
"scientific sessions" organized by SIC, must submit their abstracts
directly to the Secretariat of the 22nd ICHS on a special form before 15
March 2005. The form can be downloaded from the Congress website. These
abstracts will be peer reviewed, as are all abstracts submitted to this
Congress. The abstracts should be marked with the phrase "Scientific
Section 11", which is the section dealing with scientific instruments.
Speakers who want their papers to appear in the same session as those of a
colleague should also indicate to the Secretariat the names of the speakers
whose papers are to be grouped together.
(Note: the abstract form still says that the deadline is April 15, but
recent statements by the local organizers say that abstracts will not be
accepted after March 15th.)
Please also send a copy of your abstract to the Secretary of the Scientific
Instrument Commission (e-mail address below), so that we will know what
papers are to be presented and can help the local organizers to group them
together.
We look forward to seeing you in Beijing!
Sara Schechner (schechn@fas.harvard.edu)
Secretary, Scientific Instrument Commission
Sara Schechner, Ph.D.
David P. Wheatland Curator
Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments
Department of the History of Science
Harvard University, Science Center 251c
Cambridge, MA 02138
Tel: 617-496-9542
Fax: 617-496-5932
[Source: Sara Schechner to Rete mailing list, 27 Oct 2004, 26 Nov 2004,
3 March 2005]
...........................................................................
Item 7 ENHA No. 59, March 26, 2005
...........................................................................
Symposium "Sharing the Celestial Sphere"
----------------------------------------
(From: "Elektronische Mitteilungen zur Astronomiegeschichte" Nr. 73,
20. Maerz 2005, Item 8.)
On July 24-30, 2005 in Beijing, the People's Republic of China, the next
International Congress on History of Science will take place. The Congress
is organized under auspice of the Division of History of Science - the body
of the International Union for History and Philosophy of Science
(IUHPS/DHS).
The Organizing Committee for the Congress approved a Symposium dedicated to
the history of astronomy under the title Sharing the Celestial Sphere. The
sponsor of this Symposium is the Inter-Union Commission for History of
Astronomy (ICHA) jointly established by the International Astronomical
Union and the IUHPS. In my capacity as the ICHA President, it is my great
pleasure to invite all interested scholars to attend this Symposium. The
basic program of the Symposium is approved but, nevertheless, it is not too
late to include some more new papers.
If you have any questions, please, do not hesitate to contact
Dr. Rajesh Cochhar <rkk@nistads.res.in> or me
<agurshtein@hotmail.com>.
The ICHA hopes to see the interested scholars in Beijing.
Alexander Gurshtein
[Source: Alexander Gurshtein to HASTRO-L, 13 Jan 2005]
...........................................................................
Item 8 ENHA No. 59, March 26, 2005
...........................................................................
Historical Astronomy Division (HAD) Meeting
-------------------------------------------
The Historical Astronomy Division (HAD) of the American Astronomical
Society will meet Sept. 4 to Sept. 8, 2005 (Sun.-Thurs.), at the University
of Cambridge, in England. This will be a joint meeting with the Division of
Planetary Sciences (DPS) of the AAS. The HAD program will include 9, ninety
minute sessions of papers. Four plenary sessions with the DPS will open
with invited presentations of a historical nature. A Sunday evening
reception will open the meeting; HAD papers will be on Monday, Tuesday, and
Wednesday; with the conference DPS/HAD banquet on Wednesday; and on
Thursday a final plenary session will be followed by tours of Cambridge
sites relevant to our meeting.
The deadline for advance registration, reservation of accommodation, and
submission of abstracts, is 1 July 2005. However, it is essential for
planning the HAD sessions that speakers inform the papers committee of
their proposals at an early date. AAS members will submit their abstracts
directly to the AAS website by 1 July (in addition to informing the
committee); HAD speakers who are not AAS members will have their abstracts
submitted by the papers committee. At the date of this announcement, the
registration forms are not yet available.
Call for papers:
Proposals for presentations to the sessions are invited. A brief abstract,
including duration and media needs, can be emailed to Peter Abrahams at
<had2005@europa.com>.
Papers will be limited to the subject of the history of astronomy,
including the application of historical data to current studies. Papers can
be as long as 30 minutes in length, including set up and questions, but we
encourage those whose topics can be expressed in less time, to request the
appropriate duration. A papers committee, composed of HAD officers, will
review proposals for appropriate subject matter, and will assemble papers
into thematic sessions. Poster papers are encouraged, and can be on a wider
range of topics than spoken presentations.
The program:
HAD Papers will be presented in the Umney Theatre, Robinson College,
Grange Road.
The schedule for Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday is as follows:
Joint morning plenary session, 9:00am to 10:30 (Sidgwick Road site).
Paper Session I, 11:00am to 12:30pm.
Paper Session II, 2:00pm to 3:30pm.
Paper Session III, 4:00pm to 5:30pm.
HAD posters will be on display for the entire three days, in the foyer
areas near the Umney Theatre.
Two sessions are planned on the history of radio astronomy. At least one
session is planned on the history of planetary sciences, and one on
cosmology (keynote address by Helge Kragh). Other sessions will be
announced.
The four DPS plenary sessions, including historic introductions organized
by HAD, are as follows:
Mon. 5 Sept., DPS session on the Cassini-Huygens Mission, will open with
Albert Van Helden, speaking on the Saturn observations of Huygens &
Cassini. Tues. 6 Sept., session on the Mars Explorer Mission, will feature
Richard McKim, on observations of Martian dust storms. Wed. 7 Sept.,
session on the Deep Impact Mission, opens with Michael Hoskin, speaking on
Caroline Herschel's comet observations. Thurs. 8 Sept, session on the
SMART-1 Mission, will open with Peter Schultz, on impact hypotheses for
lunar cratering. The DPS conference will take place at the Music School and
the Law School of the University, Sidgwick Road site.
The DPS conference continues through Friday. HAD attendees can attend a
tour on Thursday; possible sites include the Whipple Museum of Scientific
Instruments, and the Greenwich Observatory Archives.
Registration fees: $290., one day $145., for members of DPS, AAS, or RAS,
until June 30, see registration form for non-member & student / emeritus
rates and for accomodation fees.
Housing will be at St John's College and Robinson College. Details can be
found at the DPS web site, address below.
We invite your participation in the 32nd Meeting of the Historical
Astronomy Division.
The HAD Committee: Don Yeomans, Tom Williams, Sara Schechner, Ron
Brashear, Dan Green and Peter Abrahams.
Questions can be addressed to: <had2005@europa.com>
DPS meeting homepage:
http://www-outreach.phy.cam.ac.uk/dps2005/
The registration form will be available on that page in the near future.
[Source: text provided by Peter Abrahams]
...........................................................................
Acknowledgements
----------------
For directly sending us information we thank Peter Abrahams and Arkadiusz
Soltysiak.
...........................................................................
Imprint
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Electronic Newsletter for the History of Astronomy (ENHA)
Published by the Working Group for the History of Astronomy in the
Astronomische Gesellschaft
Editors: Dr. Wolfgang R. Dick <wdick@astrohist.org> and Dr. Hilmar
W. Duerbeck <hduerbec@vub.ac.be>
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.
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is possible only with the editor's permission.
Archives: Previous issues of ENHA are to be found at
http://www.astrohist.org/aa/enha/ .
Arbeitskreis Astronomiegeschichte / Working Group for the History of
Astronomy:
URL: http://www.astrohist.org/
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, Vogelsang 35 A, D-14478 Potsdam,
Germany, e-mail: wdick@astrohist.org
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