Photo from SDU's 2009 Green Bank Trip
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from http://www.webexhibits.org/calendars/calendar-mayan.html. Aztec Calendar Stone: Color is added simply for legibility (roll over for actual calendar). Note: NOT a Mayan calendar. |
Syllabus and Class Schedule (subject to change)
SDU's "big question" is, "What happens at the intersection of astronomy and culture: what are the roles of science, exploration and communication in the process of discovery?" My take on this is then the theme for this term, "What do cultures ask from their astronomers?" We will look at different cultures (location and time) and see what astronomy problems they thought were important, why they thought they were important, and how the astronomers solved the problems. Where this is all leading to is that I will ask from you what question you think our culture should be asking from its astronomers. Or to be practical, why should people like you (a.k.a. the taxpayers) pay people like me a salary? Or to be specific, you will work on group projects along this line and present them in class for our last two meetings. After all the presentations are done we will see if we can come to a class consensus on what is (are) the most important question(s) for NASA to be addressing.
Some reading and perusing for before and after class:
30 Jan
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Reading for 6 February colloquium (please read before coming to class):
Reading for 27 February colloquium (please read before coming to class):
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