The History and Philosophy of Astronomy Lecture 5: Alternative Views: China, Mayan Astronomy. Presentation
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8/9/2019 The History and Philosophy of Astronomy Lecture 5: Alternative Views: China, Mayan Astronomy. Presentation
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The History and Philosophyof Astronomy
(Lecture 5: Alternative Views:China, Mayan Astronomy)
Instructor: Volker BrommTA: Jarrett Johnson
The University of Texas at Austin
Astronomy 350L
(Fall 2006)
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Different Traditions of Astronomy
Western
Greece/Rome
Medieval Islam
Renaissance:
Copernicus
Babylon
Scientific Revolution:Galileo, Newton, KeplerInca
2. Ancient Maya
Aztecs
1. Chinese
Japanese/Korean
Indian/Vedic
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Chinese Astronomy: Very Brief Introduction
Chinese astronomy vital importance to the State!
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Chinese Astronomy: Very Brief Introduction
Chinese astronomy very sophisticated!
Armillary Sphere
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Earth-Sun motion on Celestial Sphere:
Sun movesalong ecliptic
once a year!
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Two branches of Astronomy
Calendrical methods (lifa) Celestial Occurrences (tianwen)
(e.g., comets)
regularity/cycles unusual phenomena(Novae, supernovae,
comets,)
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Yang Wei-Tes `Guest Star of AD 1054
Guest Star = Supernova Explosion
- unobserved in Medieval Europe
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Chinese Model of the Universe
Inhabited world is at center of universe
- flat Earth
Axis ofrotation
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The Ancient Maya
Classical Period: ~ 200 900 AD
Maya obsessed with time and astronomy!
Tikal
Yucatan
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Maya Hieroglyphic Writing
Maya writing deciphered only quite recently (> 1970s)
Decoded first: number system and calendar
Carved Limestone Stelae
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Maya Number System
base 20 (vigesimal)
place-value system, includes zero
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Maya Calendar
highly complex
cyclical (recurring) and linear elements
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Maya Calendar
1st cycle: Sacred Round (Tzolkin)
20 name glyphs + 13 numbers = 260 days
no direct astronomical significance
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Maya Calendar
2nd cycle: Vague Year (Haab)
18 months of 20 days + 1 month of 5 days = 365 days
based on solar (seasonal) year
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Maya Calendar
cyclic vs linear: Same combination of
tzolkin and haab date
(e.g., 1 Imix 4 Mac)recurs every 52 years!
How to measure longertime periods?
Long Count!
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Maya Calendar
Linear series: Long Count
general format: xx.xx.xx.xx.xx first day = origin of time (universe)=0.0.0.0.0 Aug. 13, 3114 BC (Gregorian) last day (= end of time?) = 13.0.0.0.0 2012 AD
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Maya Astronomy
Obsession with Venus
= Kukulcan
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Venus Astronomy: The Basics
Venus invisiblein glare of Sun
Venus appears
as morning starVenus appears
as evening star
invisible -- morning star invisible evening star
8 days + 263 days + 50 days + 263 days
= 584 days (synodic period)
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Venus Astronomy: The Basics
Venus appears always close to Sun!
Celestial Sphere
HorizonEcliptic
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Venus Astronomy: The Basics
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Venus Astronomy: The Basics
Morning star: Characteristic pattern of heliacal rising
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Venus Astronomy: The Basics
Morning star: Characteristic pattern of heliacal rising
5-fold symmetry (five
repeating patterns)
Q: Why is that?
A: 584 x 5 = 365 x 8
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Book of Mayan Astronomy: The Dresden Codex
One of only 4 surviving Maya codices
Contains Eclipse Tables and Venus Tables
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Dresden Codex: Venus Tables
236 + 90 + 250 + 8 = 584
(morn. star- - even. star -- ..)
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Maya Venus Worship and Warfare
Mayan rulers timedtheir attacks according
to the motion of Venus
Celestial events were
of the utmost importance
astronomy = religion
(Mural at Bonampak)
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Astronomy and Maya Architecture
Alignment astronomy again!
(Caracol at Chitzen Itza)
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Astronomy: Alternative Views
Traditions, independent from Western astronomy:- E.g., Ancient China, Ancient Maya- fundamentally different views of the cosmos
Ancient China:- astronomy integral part of state bureaucracy- search for unusual celestial occurrences (comets, novae)
Ancient Maya:
- obsessed with astronomy and timekeeping
- crucial role of Venuss motions governs Maya warfare- Dresden Codex = Thebook of Mayan astronomy
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