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