Peter Apian Instrument Buch (1533) Frontispiece from Lindahall.org

Astronomy Before the Telescope

We live in a golden age of cosmic exploration with new powerful telescopes coming on line that push the envelope of the observable universe.  Barely 400 years has elapsed since Galileo turned his early telescope to the sky.  The contemporary perception of the science of astronomy is iconically tied to the telescope.   Yet before the use of the telescope many cultures independently developed systems of predicting seasonal changes, lunar and planetary movement, eclipses, calendars, timekeeping and navigation, all based on naked eye observations and some surprisingly sophisticated non-optical equipment.

The Astronomical League has introduced a new observing program titled Astronomy Before the Telescope.  There are 14 required and 3 optional activities to be completed for award certification.  The activities are designed to demonstrate some of the ancient techniques of astronomy.  Some of the activities require the construction of equipment such as sundials and astrolabes.  Certain of the activities require observation and record keeping up to a year in duration. The program requires that you keep a journal of your activities and observations.  Photographic documentation is encouraged.

 I have decided to accept the challenge of this program and to post my progress on this website, much as I did with the AL Messier observation programs.  The journal will be updated as work progresses.  The activities are not necessarily performed in the order of the program list and some activites overlap.

Below is a list of the 17 activity categories.  I have added a few voluntary activities. Links go to pages reporting my work on each activity.  Unlinked activities are ones I haven't started yet.  Category numbers highlighted in red indicate that the requirements of that activity have been completed.  The rest are works in progress.  Completed categories are subject to additional observations and updates.

1. Direction - Find true north without a compass
2. Telling time - Sundials
3. Directions - Align a telescope during the daytime
4. Time - Equation of time
5. Telling time - Nocturnal
6. Yearly Calendar Predictor
7. Measuring - Astrolabe
8. Measuring - Astronomical Quadrant or Sector
9. Measuring - Cross-staff or Jacob’s Staff
10. Measuring - Select objects
11. Measuring - Solstices
12. Measuring - Navigation star positions
13. Star Chart/Planisphere
14. Location - Measure your local longitude
15. Viking Sun Stone - (optional activity)
16. Measuring Comet or Nova - (optional activity)
17. Astrolabes and Planispheres - (optional activity)
18. Lunar and Solar Declinations - (voluntary)
19. The Armillary Sphere - (voluntary instrumentation)
20. The Dioptra - (voluntary instrumentation)
Chronology --  The various projects jump around a bit in time and overlap, so here is a skeleton outline of my daily activities as they were performed.

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