Antikythera & SKA
12-15 June 2012
Kerastari, Greece
published March 29, 2013
More than a hundred years ago an extraordinary mechanism was found by sponge divers at the bottom of the sea near the island of Antikythera in Greece. This Antikythera mechanism is an ancient computer from about 100BC, which uses bronze gears to make astronomical calculations based on cycles of the Solar System. Now, more than 2000 years after the device was lost at sea, scientists have used the latest techniques in X-ray computed tomography and reflectance imaging to understand its intricate workings. In June 2012 we plan to hold a workshop linking modern and ancient astronomical technology through the Antikythera theme. We will explore the evolution of astrometry and computing from ancient Greece to the present, we will compare the technologies used to unravel the secrets of the Antikythera mechanism with the imaging tools of modern astronomy, and most importantly, as we pursue our vision of an exciting scientific future with telescopes such as the Square Kilometre Array we can reflect on why the Antikythera technology was lost for more than a thousand years and whether this can happen again.
Sessions
Welcomes and Introductions
The Antikythera Mechanism
History of scientific endeavour
Imaging
Positional astronomy and VLBI
Innovation at the Science, Engineering, Computing nexus
Science and Technology: (Antikythera Mechanism and the past -SKA and the future)
Astronomy
Summary of the Workshop
Welcomes and Introductions
Welcome from Kerastari village
Welcome from the National Archaeological Museum
A. Christopoulou
Introduction to the Workshop
Linking modern and ancient technology - the structure of the meeting
Workshop photograph
The Antikythera Mechanism
The NAM Antikythera treasures
M. Zafeiropoulou
The Antikythera Mechanism: From the bottom of the sea to the scrutiny of modern technology
J.H. Seiradakis
The research history of the Antikythera shipwreck
Exhibition of Antikythera Mechanism (poster)
The Antikythera Mechanism and Shipwreck: The sensitive issue of announcing the discovery to the public (poster)
M. Nikoli and J.H. Seiradakis
History of scientific endeavour
Prerequisites for the production of the Antikythera Mechanism during the 2nd century
A Bridge too far ?
The history of innovation in radio astronomy
Musings on innovation and technology
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J. O'Sullivan
The path to wireless internet - 802.11
You can't design what you can't conceive - what can we learn from history (presented by Ron Ekers)
Building the Cosmos in the Antikythera Mechanism
Before and After the Antikythera Mechanism
Recent results from the study of Antikythera Mechanism: astronomical clock, Lunar trajectory and Archimedes
Johannes Kepler: his place in Astronomy
Imaging
X-ray Tomography of the Antikythera Mechanism
Exploiting measurement diversity in radio interferometry
Imaging with a modern synthesis radio telescope – the LOFAR experience
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P. Labropoulos
Surface Analysis with Photogrametry
The HP imaging Dome and the Antikythera Machine Inscriptions (presented by Haida Liang)
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T. Malzbender
Contributions of astronomy to the study of art conservation and archaeology
Positional astronomy and VLBI
The Antikythera Mechanism: a census of planetary extensions.
Positional Astronomy: The Parapegma of the Antikythera Mechanism
Modern astrometry
A Clock for the Square Kilometre Array
Pulsar timing arrays
SHEVE '82, Tasso and the coming of Age of Southern Hemisphere VLBI
Innovation at the Science, Engineering, Computing nexus
The Reconstruction of the Antikythera Mechanism(poster)
The value of making models
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K. Efstathiou
Are the modern computer simulations a substitute for physical models? The Antikythera case
M. Roumeliotis
Are the modern computer models a substitute for physical models? The SKA case
Science and Technology: (Antikythera Mechanism and the past -SKA and the future)
The Antikythera Mechanism and the Public Face of Hellenistic Science
Early Greek Astrophysics
Ancient technology and modern imaging instrument from Japan
H. Hirabayashi
Radio Astronomy Transformed: Aperture Arrays – Past, Present & Future
ASKAP: the Genesis of New Technology
Plato – from Greek philosopher to Antarctic observatory
The SKA
Astronomy
SURO-LC: a space-based ultra-long wavelength radio observatory
The Differential in Astronomy : Past to Present
Hanny’s Voorwerp and the Antikythera Mechanism – similarities, differences and insights.
Summary of the Workshop
Worskshop summary