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September 19, 2008 From 2PM to 3PM In the Adler Planetarium's Space Visualization Laboratory Speaker: John H. Seiradakis - Aristotle University of Thessaloniki “The Antikythera Mechanism: Astronomy and Technology in Ancient Greece” Sponge divers found the Mechanism by chance, in a shipwreck close to the small Greek island of Antikythera in April 1900. The Antikythera Mechanism has since been dated to be from the second half of the 2nd century B.C. After 2000 years the exact function of the Mechanism has finally been decoded using state of the art equipment. This portable, geared device calculated and displayed, with high precision, the movement of the Sun and the Moon on the sky and the phase of the Moon. It calculated the dates of the four-year cycle of the Olympiad and could predict eclipses. An extensive user's manual has also been found to be contained within the Mechanism. In the friendly and relaxed setting of Adler's Space Visualization Laboratory, Prof. Seiradakis will give a brief introduction to the Antikythera Mechanism and then open the floor to questions. This presentation will be geared towards a broad audience. Everyone from experts in the fields of astronomy and engineering to the general public and high school students will enjoy and benefit from the informal format of this presentation. Link to Poster for Event Link to Antikythera Research Project website |