The Beginning of the Christian Era Revisited: New Findings

We have re-examined and discussed all chronological, historical and astronomical elements which can be referred to the year of Herod the Great’s death, which occurred—according to Josephus—after a lunar eclipse and before Passover. Since the XIX century, most scholars still assume the eclipse occurred on 13 March 4 BC, so that Dionysius Exiguus was wrong in calculating the beginning of the Christian era—by four years at least—because Herod the Great must have been alive when Jesus was born. We have solved the apparent incompatibility of the events narrated by Josephus, occurring between the eclipse of 13 March 4BC and a too-near Passover (12 April 4 BC), by determining another date after studying all eclipses visible from Jerusalem in near years. This analysis—supported by a novel simulation of naked–eye visibility of partial lunar eclipses—has shown that the most eligible eclipse associable to Herod’s death occurred in the night of 8–9 November 2 AD. Besides this astronomical finding, our conclusion is also supported by significant correlation between segmented sleep and eclipse intervals; by its compatibility with the long sequence of events narrated by Josephus and with the rabbinic tradition about Herod’s death. This dating also agrees with other historical facts connected to Roman and Jewish history. In conclusion, Herod the Great must have died in the first month of 3 AD and, very likely, Dionysius Exiguus was correct.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF SKY QUALITY AND METEOROLOGICAL VARIABLES DURING THE TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE ON 14-15 APRIL 2014 AND THEIR EFFECT ON QUALITATIVE MEASUREMENTS OF THE BORTLE SCALE

A total lunar eclipse plausibly has an influence on the variation of some environmental physical parameters, specifically on the conditions of the sky brightness, humidity and temperature. During the eclipse on 14th - 15th April 2014, these parameters were measured with a photometer and a weather station. The obtained results allow the comparison, practically, of the optimal conditions for observational astronomy work in the Tatacoa desert and, therefore, to certify it as suitable place to develop night sky astronomical observations. This investigation determined, to some extent, the suitability of this place to carry out astronomical work and research within the optical range. Thus, the changes recorded during the astronomical phenomenon allowed the classification of the sky based on the Bortle Scale.

UNDERSTANDING OF TEACHERS ON PHASES OF THE MOON AND THE LUNAR ECLIPSE / ÖĞRETMENLERİN AY'IN EVRELERİ VE AY TUTULMASINA İLİŞKİN ANLAYIŞLARI

Even though the educational researchers have developed and implemented various educational strategies to teach the concepts of the phases of the Moon and the formation of the lunar eclipse more effectively, many studies conducted by them in recent years reveal that the teachers still do not understand the causes and scientific processes related to the phases of the Moon phases and lunar eclipse. In addition, this situation shows that there are deep problems in teaching the subjects of Moon phases and lunar eclipse to students. Examining the main causes of learning difficulties in the phases of the Moon and lunar eclipse, this study is designed on the basis of development and implementation of a project supported by STRCT (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey) in order to discuss the possible solutions. A 5-day activity program including basic astronomy education was applied to science teachers by using the model developed within the scope of the project, and the changes in mental models of the teachers in the subjects of Moon phases and lunar eclipse were examined. This research was carried out with 29 teachers voluntarily participating in the project in the field of Science. In this study in which qualitative and quantitative data collection methods were applied together, as a result of the evaluation of the obtained data, it was observed that the project was very successful in understanding the phases of the Moon and the causes of the lunar eclipse. The obtained results were interpreted by comparing them with the literature. Son yıllarda eğitim araştırmacılarının yaptığı birçok araştırma, Ay’ın evreleri ve Ay tutulmasının oluşması kavramlarını daha etkili bir şekilde öğretmek için çeşitli eğitim stratejileri geliştirip uygulamalarına rağmen, öğretmenlerin Ay’ın evreleri ve Ay tutulmasının oluşma nedenlerini ve bilimsel süreçlerini hala kavrayamadıklarını ortaya koymaktadır. Bu durum, Ay’ın evreleri ve Ay tutulması konularının öğrencilere öğretilmesinde derin sorunlar yaşandığını göstermektedir. Bu çalışma, Ay’ın evreleri ve Ay tutulması konularındaki öğrenme zorluklarının temel nedenlerinin araştırılarak, olası çözümlerin tartışılması için TÜBİTAK (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey) tarafından desteklenen bir proje geliştirilmesi ve uygulanması üzerine kurgulanmıştır. Proje kapsamında geliştirilen model kullanılarak fen bilimleri öğretmenlerine temel astronomi eğitimi konularını da kapsayan 5 günlük bir etkinlik programı uygulanmış ve öğretmenlerin Ay’ın evreleri ve Ay tutulması konularındaki zihinsel modellerinin değişimleri incelenmiştir. Bu çalışma Fen Bilimleri alanında projeye gönüllü olarak katılan 29 öğretmen ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. Nitel ve nicel veri toplama yöntemlerinin bir arada kullanıldığı bu araştırmada, elde edilen verilerin değerlendirilmesi sonucu, Ay’ın evreleri ve Ay tutulmasının oluşum nedenlerinin kavranmasında oldukça başarılı olunduğu gözlenmiştir. Elde edilen sonuçlar literatürle karşılaştırılarak yorum yapılmıştır. <p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0743/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

In Nanaku: Local Knowledge of The Coastal Fishermen Community Taniwel Seram

This paper wants to explain how Nanaku, as local knowledge of the coastal community in Taniwel sub-district, western Seram Regency had an important role in the marine activities. The purpose of the study was to explain the local knowledge of the community related to the skills and accuracy in marking natural phenomena related to marine activities. This study used descriptive qualitative methods, which included data collection, data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions or verification. The results showed that Nanaku was passed down from generation to generation. Through this local knowledge, they can hold the process of making boats and fishing in the sea properly. This local knowledge was used as a natural marker and fishing guideline. Nanaku consisting of twelve fishing skills; nanaku moon, nanaku karti star, nanaku beluku star, nanaku scaly clouds, nanaku high and low tide, nanaku whirl wind, nanaku ocean currents, nanaku when river water overflows/ floods , nanaku seagulls lock, nanaku owl (boel), nanaku lunar eclipse, and nanaku lightning in Northeast at night. The conclusion showed that Nanaku still survives today and was not lost in the midst of technological developments. Nanaku became a basic knowledge for a fishing profession which contributed to the economic life of the coastal fishing communities of Taniwel Seram.