Diary notes of Matthias Stoius in “Almanach Novum” (1552–1562)

Prague Nostitz Library hides among its 14 000 books 60 volumes from the library fragment once belonging to Matthias Stoius Jr (1526–1583), the personal physician of the first Duke of Prussia Albert of Hohenzollern. The most interesting volume from the Stoius’s heritage is a copy of an astronomical calendar Almanach novum by Pietro Pitati used by Stoius as a diary containing his handwritten notes and comments about weather, income, his activity at the Königsberg University and, the most importantly, his medical records concerning the health condition and problems of his noble patient Albert of Hohenzollern. Stoius also took detailed notes about medicaments he delivered to the ill Duke as well as about treatments he applied especially in November 1559 and December 1560 when the physical condition of the duke of Prussia apparently worsened. In 1572, Stoius published in print his report about the last days of Duke Albert and although the handwritten sources on which the report is based are missing they were presumably recorded in the similar diaries.

THE JAVA CALENDAR AND ITS RELEVANCE WITH THE ISLAMIC CALENDAR

Calendar or calendar system is an important reference for mankind from ancient times to the present. Judging from the reference system, there are three types of calendars, namely solar-based, lunar-based and both-based calendars. Meanwhile, in terms of its complexity, the calendar is divided into two, namely the astronomical and arithmetic calendars. The Javanese calendar after the changes made by the great sultan, was inspired by the hijri calendar. Both are based on the lunar calendar. The aim of this study is to introduce the calendar system, the Javanese calendar and its relevance to the hijriah calendar, and the Javanese Aboge calendar. This research is descriptive. The source in this research study is literature review. From this research it was found that the hijri calendar is an astronomical calendar that requires observation and has a high degree of accuracy with respect to the visibility of the new moon, while the Javanese calendar is an arithmetic calendar system, so it requires corrections in a certain period to be the same or nearly the same as the hijri calendar. However, the Aboge calendar does not change curves or cycles, so that the Aboge Javanese calendar has a difference of days with the Javanese calendar currently in use, namely the calendar with the asapon calendar, and it could be the same or the difference of up to two days with the Hijri calendar. Yet the calendar is used by the Javanese not only for worship, but also for petungan in determining traditional ceremonies and personal interests.

Astronomical Investigation to Verify the Calendar Theory of the Nasca Lines

As in many regions of the world, astronomy also played a major role in the ancient Peruvian cultures. However, the discussion of the astronomical relevance of the Nasca geoglyphs is very controversial. A really precise and extensive investigation of astronomical phenomena has not yet taken place; the necessary data were simply missing. In the Nasca project Dresden, these data have been recorded in recent years and stored in an Oracle database. In the very first step, all geoglyphs with an astronomical orientation documented by Maria Reiche were checked and verified. Subsequently, all lines of the entity “straight line” were systematically examined with regard to the celestial bodies of the Sun and bright stars. For this purpose, on the one hand, the ellipsoidal azimuths of all straight lines were calculated and, on the other hand, the elevation angles in relation to the horizon with the help of digital terrain models (DTM) were determined. Corrections for refraction, the curvature of the Earth, visibility and atmospheric disturbances were largely considered. The azimuths of the celestial bodies during the Nasca period were calculated with software developed in-house (theses by students) and compared with those of the lines. As a result, it was possible to establish that there are individual straight lines that are aligned with the Sun and the seven randomly selected bright stars. However, the number of hits found does not justify the theory that the Nasca Pampas are an astronomical calendar system.

Imagens, Fontes e Manuscritos: o conhecimento médico-astrológico nos calendários astronômicos de Nicholas de Lynn e John Somer

O presente artigo analisa os usos e funções dos manuscritos médico-astrológicos, especificadamente, os calendários astronômicos de Nicholas de Lynn (Astronomical Calendar, 1386) e de John Somer (Astronomical Calendar, 1380), ambos confeccionados entre os séculos XIV e XV na Inglaterra. O artigo destaca a complementaridade do texto e da imagem nos calendários médico-astrológicos, partindo da incidência da iconografia do homem zodiacal e do homem venoso que formam um grande corpus estritamente necessário para a leitura correta do cosmos nesses manuscritos. O artista tem um papel fundamental nesse processo, pois é ele quem resgata os elementos astrológicos sobreviventes e os converte em imagens. Por fim, o artigo destaca da transmissão dos saberes médico-astrológicos para a construção e compreensão de mundo cósmico na Idade Média Tardia e no início da Primeira Época Moderna.

Regarding a certain type of coin-shaped pendants

The article is devoted to the consideration of the symbolism and sacred content of a special kind of coin-shaped pendants, which are made of non-ferrous metals, decorated with twelve convex dots around the perimeter, and in the center have a hemispherical projection or hexagonal figure. Collection of such pendants is small and consists of single finds, mostly found in barrows and settlements of Early Middle Ages. For the first time, issue of interpretation of coin-shaped pendants was raised more than twenty years ago, after which the number of materials increased substantially due to the finds not only from the lands of Belarus but also from adjacent countries. Territory of their distribution includes southern and central Belarus and northwestern regions of Ukraine. Separate finds have also been made in Polish Podlasze, Eastern Lithuania and Southern Latvia. This area does not coincide with the lands of any particular union of East Slavic tribes, but pendants of this type are often found on sites, materials of which include characteristic temporal jewelry of Dregovichi type, decorated with granulation. Based on nature of associated finds, pendants of this type were in use in XII –first half of XIII century. Therefore, they appeared probably in XI century. Little number of pendants mentioned above for a relatively large area may indicate that these products were aimed for a quantitatively small population. These pendants occurred both in relatively rich burials and in feudal estates, which confirms the high status of their owners. Chronology of pendants is coincides with bi-religion period, and there is no clear evidence of Christian affiliation of persons buried with them. Sites on which pendants were found are examined, if it is possible, ethno-deterministic decorations found there are also emphasized, and the area of distribution of the pendants of mentioned type is outlined at the publication. Find of such pendant in one of the burials in Lithuania, along with coin of the late XIV century is essential for determining of the chronology of the use of these products. The analogies among finds of pre-Christian era are indicated, that witnesses thee origins of mentioned symbolism among the pagan antiquities. Semantics of both number “12” and the hexagon in the center of the pendant are analyzed, and on this basis conclusion is made about astronomical-calendar symbolism of the identified objects. Sites on which pendants were found are examined, if it is possible, ethno-deterministic decorations found there are also emphasized, and the area of distribution of the pendants of mentioned type is outlined at the publication. Find of such pendant in one of the burials in Lithuania, along with coin of the late XIV century is essential for determining of the chronology of the use of these products. The analogies among finds of pre-Christian era are indicated, that witnesses thee origins of mentioned symbolism among the pagan antiquities. Semantics of both number “12” and the hexagon in the center of the pendant are analyzed, and on this basis conclusion is made about astronomical-calendar symbolism of the identified objects. Key words: coin-shaped pendants, Dregovichi type granulated beads, sacral number 12, hexagon symbols.

Celestial calendar-paintings and culture-based digital storytelling: cross-cultural, interdisciplinary, STEM/STEAM resources for authentic astronomy education engagement

In D(L)akota star knowledge, the Sun is known as Wi and the Moon is Han-Wi. They have an important relationship, husband and wife. The pattern of their ever-changing relationship is mirrored in the motions of Sun and Moon as seen from our backyards, also called the lunar phases. The framework of the cultural teaching is storytelling and relationships. Cultural perspectives in astronomy such as this remind us of how indigenous ways of knowing are rooted in inclusion, engagement, and relevancy. Designed by A. Lee in 2007, the Native Skywatchers initiative seeks to remember and revitalize indigenous star and earth knowledge, promoting the native voice as the lead voice. The overarching goal of Native Skywatchers is to communicate the knowledge that indigenous people traditionally practiced a sustainable way of living and sustainable engineering through a living and participatory relationship with the above and below, sky and earth. In 2012 two indigenous star maps were created: the Ojibwe Giizhig Anung Masinaaigan-Ojibwe Sky Star Map (A. Lee, W. Wilson, C. Gawboy), and the D(L)akota star map, Makoce Wicanhpi Wowapi (A. Lee, J. Rock). In 2016, a collaboration with W. Buck of the Manitoba First Nations Resource Centre (MFNRC), produced a third star map: Ininew Achakos Masinikan- Cree Star Map Book. We aim to improve current inequities in education for native young people especially through STEM engagement, to inspire increased cultural pride, and promote community wellness. Presented here will be recently created resources such as: astronomical calendar-paintings and short videos that exist at the intersection of art-science-culture. As we look for sustainable ways to widen participation in STEM, particularly in astronomy education, part of the conversation needs to consider the place for art and culture in STEM.