Astronomy 101

Astronomy = the study of the universe

Universe= The totality of all space, time matter and energy

In order to understand where we are in astronomy me must understand where we have come from.

“If I have seen farther then most it is because I have stood on the shoulders of giants”- Newton

Ancient Astronomy

Mayan Astronomy

Mayan Observers and SymbologySky watcher Venus The Moon

Mayan Observations vs. Ptolemy and Modern Astronomers.

As Recorded by Modern Astronomers

As recorded by Ptolemy

As Recorded by Mayan Astronomers

Lunar Month 23.5309 days 29.5337 days 29.5306 days

Period of Venus 583.93 days 583.9427 days 583.9027 days

Period Of Mars 779.94 days 774.25 days 780 days

Solar Year 365.24198 days 364.24667 days 364.242 days

Mayan CodexDressden Codex

Mayans and Venus

Mayan Time

Uaxactun

Mayan Astrnomy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2P7MaGCyuwk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5V5l4iFec88&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6fv8q83JE8&feature=related

Chinese Astronomy

Chinese Insights The sun is like fire and the moon like water. The fire gives

out light and the water reflects it. Thus the moon's brightness is produced from the radiance of the sun, and the moon's darkness (pho) is due to (the light of) the sun being obstructed (pi). The side which faces the sun is fully lit, and the side which is away from it is dark. The planets (as well as the moon) have the nature of water and reflect light. The light pouring forth from the sun

If they were like balls they would surely obstruct each other when they met. I replied that these celestial bodies were certainly like balls. How do we know this? By the waxing and waning of the moon. The moon itself gives forth no light, but is like a ball of silver; the light is the light of the sun (reflected). When the brightness is first seen, the sun (-light passes almost) alongside, so the side only is illuminated and looks like a crescent. When the sun gradually gets further away, the light shines slanting, and the moon is full, round like a bullet. If half of a sphere is covered with (white) powder and looked at from the side, the covered part will look like a crescent; if looked at from the front, it will appear round. Thus we know that the celestial bodies are spherical.

Chinese Guest Stars

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eE8QkBlyf5k&feature=watch_response

Chinese Astronomy and Astrologyhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M

EwgjHq1CM0

Egyptian Astronomy

Egyptian Astronomy

Greek Astronomy

Ptolemy’s ModelGeocentric Model