While other stars' positions change throughout the night, the pole stars' position in the sky essentially do not. Pole stars are often used in celestial navigation. However, the stars themselves exhibit motion relative to each other, and this so-called proper motion is another cause of the apparent drift of a pole star. If the stars were fixed in space, precession would cause the celestial poles to trace out imaginary circles on the celestial sphere approximately once every 26,000 years, passing close to different stars at different times. The primary reason for this is the precession of the Earth's rotational axis that causes its orientation to change over time. Pole stars change over time because stars exhibit a slow continuous drift with respect to the Earth's axis. The term the pole star usually refers to the star Polaris (colloquially referred to as the "north star") which is the current northern pole star. There are potentially both northern and southern pole stars, but whether there is either depends on the current stellar configuration. Dickinson, CHOICE, Vol.A pole star is a visible star, especially a prominent one, that is approximately aligned with the Earth's axis of rotation that is, a star whose apparent position is close to one of the celestial poles, and which lies (approximately) directly overhead when viewed from the Earth's North Pole or South Pole. Upper-division undergraduates through professionals." (M. … This book is well served by many data tables, drawings, photographs … references to the literature, and an annotated guide to archaeostronomy tools. of Calgary) review what is known of pre-telescopic astronomy and its place in cultures worldwide. … Their book is a block-buster achievement that will be a great reference source for details, discussion, and argument for years to come." (Owen Gingerich, Sky & Telescope, August, 2005) … lists some 3,000 bibliographical sources – a wealth of information that every astronomy teacher … would love to have within arm’s reach. "David Kelly, a distinguished linguist … and Eugene Milone, a widely traveled astronomer, both from the University of Calgary, have teamed up to produce their hefty and aptly titled Exploring Ancient Skies. There is also a 50-page reference section and a thorough index." (David Hughes, The Times Higher, December, 2005) … It is profusely illustrated and much care has been taken with the production of the descriptive figures. Students, scholars and researchers will benefit hugely …. I will turn to it time and again, not only for reference but also for enjoyment. "Exploring Ancient Skies aims to cover the entire spectrum of the subject – scientific, geographical, mythological and historical ….
I will turn to it time and again, not only for reference but also for enjoyment." (David Hughes, THE TIMES HIGHER EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT, December 2, 2005) " Exploring Ancient Skies aims to cover the entire spectrum of the subject - scientific, geographical, mythological and historical - and to underline many of the interpretive problems. ".An invaluable resource for any astronomical historian-hobbyist or professional.Their book is a blockbuster achievement that will be a great reference source for details, discussion, and argument for years to come." (Owen Gingerich, SKY AND TELESCOPE, August 2005) It will be useful as a reference for scholars and students in both astronomy and archaeology, and will be of compelling interest to readers who seek a broad understanding of our collective intellectual history. Skies are recreated to display critical events as they would have appeared to ancient observers - events such as the supernova of 1054, the 'lion horoscope' or the 'Star of Bethlehem.'Įxploring Ancient Skies provides a comprehensive overview of the relationships between astronomy and other areas of human investigation. The book concludes by taking into account the purposes of ancient astronomy: astrology, navigation, calendar regulation, and (not least) the understanding of our place and role in the universe. The authors begin with an overview of the field and proceed to essential aspects of naked-eye astronomy, followed by an examination of specific cultures.
The book reviews an enormous and growing body of literature on the cultures of the ancient Mediterranean, the Far East, and the New World (particularly Mesoamerica), putting the ancient astronomical materials into their archaeological and cultural contexts. Exploring Ancient Skies brings together the methods of archaeology and the insights of modern astronomy to explore the science of astronomy as it was practiced in various cultures prior to the invention of the telescope.
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