Celestial Mapping

Instructor: Nick Kanas MD
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
San Francisco State University

Thursdays, 10:00 AM - 12:00 Noon
6/13/2019 - 7/25/2019 (6 Meeting Days)

All maps tell a story and are products of their times. Maps of the heavens are no exception. Star maps show the relative locations of the stars in constellations and are useful for planting, navigation, and storytelling. Cosmological maps depict the position of the Earth in the heavens according to then-held views of the Solar System. Planetary maps define the surface of the planets and moons as seen through telescopes or visiting space probes. Class lectures will trace the fascinating story of how the heavens have been mapped from antiquity to the present day. Through the use of beautiful images from antiquarian and modern sources, how these maps relate to cultural, artistic, and scientific ideas of their times will be discussed.

Week 1: Constellations and Early Star Maps
Week 2: The Golden Age
Week 3: Frontispieces and Title Pages; Early American Star Maps
Week 4: Transition to Modern Star Atlases
Week 5: Solar System Maps
Week 6: Pictorial Maps; Celestial Images in Art

[Description from OLLI, SFSU website.]

REGISTRATION through OLLI, San Francisco State University.  Click here to go to website.