tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post7131862529099234150..comments2024-03-23T12:38:46.260+00:00Comments on The History Girls: Navigating by the Stars - by Ann SwinfenMary Hoffmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06241989732624913706noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-69936524796071148382015-10-22T22:55:29.289+01:002015-10-22T22:55:29.289+01:00I'll try hard, Janet, though I don't expec...I'll try hard, Janet, though I don't expect to learn all of the 1,000 uses! Yes, it is beautiful. The problem with engineering a replica of the Antikythera Mechanism has to do with the strange number of teeth needed on the cogs. I believe one requires 223, or some such number, impossible for the simplistic operations of modern machine tools. BUT...how on earth did they do it by eye, more than 2,000 years ago??Ann Swinfenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08168095839845563846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-66887711603341400942015-10-21T20:44:57.535+01:002015-10-21T20:44:57.535+01:00Marvelous article with such stimulating images. Ha...Marvelous article with such stimulating images. Hard to believe all our engineers and scientists can't recreate such an ancient device. Hope you learn to use your new present. It is beautiful to look at, even if you don't.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07408832322308935023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-15005004811486069862015-10-20T21:00:53.236+01:002015-10-20T21:00:53.236+01:00I'm so glad other people have found this as fa...I'm so glad other people have found this as fascinating as I have. I can see that I'll need to report back if and when I manage to learn to use it. Don't hold your breath!Ann Swinfenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08168095839845563846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-38051769545524035792015-10-20T16:27:41.446+01:002015-10-20T16:27:41.446+01:00Hope you do manage to work it out - I've alway...Hope you do manage to work it out - I've always wanted to know too. And was very interested as have been looking recently at Polynesian navigational techniques - stars and all sorts but no astrolabes - also extraordinary! Thank you so much.Lydia Sysonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04613876235125755967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-23765747135814092292015-10-20T13:57:12.565+01:002015-10-20T13:57:12.565+01:00Fascinating post! Like Sue, I still don't have...Fascinating post! Like Sue, I still don't have much of a clue as to how these things work but they are wonderful objects. Celia Reeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05059549379622664741noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-81291945025310269592015-10-20T09:12:16.873+01:002015-10-20T09:12:16.873+01:00I'd never heard of the Antikythera Mechanism -...I'd never heard of the Antikythera Mechanism - how fascinating! I haven't a clue how they work, but astrolabes and old clocks are such beautiful objects.Sue Purkisshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09084528571944803477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-24568174574986056632015-10-20T08:42:59.452+01:002015-10-20T08:42:59.452+01:00Thank you, Carol! The astrolabe is gorgeous and we...Thank you, Carol! The astrolabe is gorgeous and weighs a ton - you can see why mariners needed something lighter. I need a proper handbook, though if Chaucer's son could master it at 9, surely I can manage. I used to live near the US Naval Academy and belonged to a children's sailing club. When I was 12, I took the midshipmen's course in celestial navigation and gained my certificate, but, alas!, I have forgotten every single bit of it now. I think the existence of the Antikythera Mechanism is absolutely mind-blowing.Ann Swinfenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08168095839845563846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-69571376433869773612015-10-20T08:25:46.016+01:002015-10-20T08:25:46.016+01:00What a wonderful present, Ann, so original. I love...What a wonderful present, Ann, so original. I loved this post and will be fascinated to hear updates on how you proceed with your use of the astrolabe. Thank you for this.Carol Drinkwaterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05837854482139736944noreply@blogger.com