Comments on: BOOK: African Cultural Astronomy http://electronicdrum.wordpress.com/2008/06/27/book-african-cultural-astronomy/ Knowledge In Rhythm With The Times Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:52:48 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Khepera http://electronicdrum.wordpress.com/2008/06/27/book-african-cultural-astronomy/#comment-10259 Khepera Sat, 28 Jun 2008 23:06:54 +0000 http://electronicdrum.wordpress.com/?p=112#comment-10259 Your point about the 'origin' of "modern astronomy" as being critically linked to the incorporation of physics into the field of astronomy is well taken. As noted, astrophysics critically links 'the big & the small' within the universe into a collective continuum. This clarification is crucial, imho. I have edited the original post to reflect this. I would add that an understanding of this phased development of astronomy is in many ways similar to the confusion/conflation among many in the study of ancient Khemet(Egypt) around the actual meaning of "Upper Egypt" & "Lower Egypt" -- these adjectives speak to aspects of elevation, not, as some assume, the idea that one is in the north, and one in the south. Many thanks, for the insight, and extending the conversation. Your point about the ‘origin’ of “modern astronomy” as being critically linked to the incorporation of physics into the field of astronomy is well taken. As noted, astrophysics critically links ‘the big & the small’ within the universe into a collective continuum.

This clarification is crucial, imho. I have edited the original post to reflect this. I would add that an understanding of this phased development of astronomy is in many ways similar to the confusion/conflation among many in the study of ancient Khemet(Egypt) around the actual meaning of “Upper Egypt” & “Lower Egypt” — these adjectives speak to aspects of elevation, not, as some assume, the idea that one is in the north, and one in the south.

Many thanks, for the insight, and extending the conversation.

]]> By: meshverse http://electronicdrum.wordpress.com/2008/06/27/book-african-cultural-astronomy/#comment-10258 meshverse Sat, 28 Jun 2008 06:09:08 +0000 http://electronicdrum.wordpress.com/?p=112#comment-10258 This is a very good find! I should note that while numerous forms of cultural bias exist in astronomy and science in general, there are practical, valid reasons for establishing sub-fields of astronomy and view astronomy through the lens of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrophysics" rel="nofollow">Astrophysics</a>. Up until just less than a century ago, astronomers(including "western") were unaware that the Milky Way was one of countless galaxies. That understanding which came about via increasingly more powerful telescopes and understanding of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redshift" rel="nofollow">redshift</a>, is central to the definition of "modern" astronomy. Astrophysics actually provides a basis for unifying not just the many sub-fields of astronomy but many other sciences as well. Ultimately it may help in our understanding of ancient African perspectives so we don't want to taint it with the notion that it is rooted in cultural bias. This is a very good find! I should note that while numerous forms of cultural bias exist in astronomy and science in general, there are practical, valid reasons for establishing sub-fields of astronomy and view astronomy through the lens of Astrophysics. Up until just less than a century ago, astronomers(including “western”) were unaware that the Milky Way was one of countless galaxies. That understanding which came about via increasingly more powerful telescopes and understanding of redshift, is central to the definition of “modern” astronomy. Astrophysics actually provides a basis for unifying not just the many sub-fields of astronomy but many other sciences as well. Ultimately it may help in our understanding of ancient African perspectives so we don’t want to taint it with the notion that it is rooted in cultural bias.

]]> By: Astronomy: Search The Galaxy » Book: African Cultural Astronomy http://electronicdrum.wordpress.com/2008/06/27/book-african-cultural-astronomy/#comment-10256 Astronomy: Search The Galaxy » Book: African Cultural Astronomy Fri, 27 Jun 2008 20:13:26 +0000 http://electronicdrum.wordpress.com/?p=112#comment-10256 [...] Original post by Khepera [...] [...] Original post by Khepera [...]

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