Archaeoastronomy Exam2

From the article "What Are Celestial Coordinates," why is Right Ascension measured in hours instead of degrees?

Right Ascension is measured in hours and not degrees because as the Earth Rotates, you see the sky turn by about 1 hour of right ascension for each hour of time.

From the article "What Are Celestial Coordinates," on the sky, what reference point does the line of 0 hours of Right Ascension pass through?

Passes through where the plane of Earth's orbit around the sun crosses the celestial equator in Pisces.

From the article "What Are Celestial Coordinates," describe how precession affects the celestial coordinates of Polaris, what we currently call our North Star.

Precession affects the celestial coordinates of Polaris because over thousands of years, the Earth may wobble around 47 degrees, giving us a different North Star

From "Echoes, Chapter 2:" What (modern) constellation is associated with the "stretching of the cord" ceremony in ancient Egypt. Describe the evidence that leads astronomers to making this association.

The big dipper is associated with the stretching of the cord ceremony. Seshat's symbol, is consistent with the idea of sighting along the line to the Big Dipper.

From "Echoes, Chapter 2:" What is the purpose of the "stretching of the cord" ceremony in ancient Egypt? What is it analogous to in today's society?

The purpose of the stretching the cord ceremony is to celebrate the construction of a new temple. It is analogous to groundbreaking ceremonies in today's society.

2.6 From "Echoes, Chapter 2:" In the study of the Cahokia Sun Circle, explain the significance of the discovery of a posthole offset 5 feet due east from the central posthole of the circle.

It is significant because it suggests that the poles align with the solstice.

From "Echoes, Chapter 2:" By comparing the Cahokia circle to similar circles found in Virginia and Florida, the author makes an argument for and against the hypothesis that the Cahokia Sun Circle was mainly used for astronomical purposes. Describe the evidence and how it supports or detracts from the astronomical hypothesis.

We've found similar circles but they were largely used for ceremonial dances. They also had no other alignments, unlike the Cahokia Sun Circle.

From "Echoes, Chapter 2:" Many different alignments for the windows are proposed in the passage about the Caracol in Chichen Itza, including the setting sun on the equinox, the extreme northern and southern moonsets, the extreme northern and southern setting locations of Venus and even the setting of the Pleiades. Why does the author argue that the equinox alignment of the largest window (window 1) is likely not an accurate interpretation?

The Caracol is not in its original condition. Weathering and other human intervention has altered and changed it from its original form.

From "Echoes, Chapter 2:" Why does the author argue (two reasons) that the most likely alignment, if one exists at all, is to the extreme northern and southern setting locations of Venus?

Venus was symbolized as the deity of war and weather.

From "Echoes, Chapter 2:" Near the end of the passage on the Caracol, summarize the two arguments the author makes (aside from possible alignments with various celestial events) that the Caracol was actually used mainly as an observatory.

The steps of the Caracol could actually be stepped on to go up into the observatory.

From "Echoes, Chapter 2:" Describe why the "official" sky measuring station in ancient China was located in the town of Yang-chheng. In other words, why was it appropriate this station to be found in this town as opposed to anywhere else in China.

Yang-chheng was regarded as the center of the world because of the sun's shadow being measured there and the gnoman being installed there.

From "Echoes, Chapter 2:" Explain how the sky measuring station worked: what did it measure and how?

It measured the sun's shadow, it did that by a pole that helped display the shadow.

From "Echoes, Chapter 3:" List the seven days of the week, and for each day, match it with the celestial object the day is named for.

Monday - Moon Day

Tuesday - Day of Mars

Wednesday - Day of Mercury

Thursday - Day of Jupiter

Friday - The Day of Venus

Saturday - Saturn's Day

Sunday - Sun's Day

From "Echoes, Chapter 3:" What was the main divine role of the Sun in the cultures described in the reading? What was the main divine role of the Moon in these cultures?

The sun is the source of all authority, law, and social order. The moon was useful as a timekeeper.

From "Echoes, Chapter 3:" Of the two major nearby cultures that existed prior to the Greeks and Romans were the Egyptians and the Babylonians. Which of the two earlier cultures (Egypt or Babylon) was likely the primary source for the myths associated with the planets? Provide one example from the reading that supports this argument (for a given planet, describe how the Egyptian and Babylonian myths differ and which belief was adopted by later Western cultures).

The Babylonians and the Egyptians both used the sun for their calendars. The Babylons moon god was called sin, whose magic number is 30, which correlates with the modern day calendar. Egypt uses the moon to establish their festivals.

From "Echoes, Chapter 3:" What is the definition of the word "mercurial" and why is it appropriately linked to the behavior of the planet Mercury in the sky?

Mercurial means erratic and fickle behavior which is because of the planet's antics.

From "Echoes, Chapter 3:" Describe two ways in which Egyptian culture identified the ruling pharaoh with the Sun. For your reference, a "cartouche" is an oval enclosing a set of hieroglyphs that represent the name and title of a monarch.

The Egyptian's King public appearance on the throne was equated with the sun's arrival on the horizon. Another way is that the king wore the uraeus, the divine solar cobra, on his crown.

From "Echoes, Chapter 3:" Describe what skybands are in Mayan culture and how they were used to identify members of the ruling class with the sky (stars or planets or sometimes the sky itself).

Skybands are a chain of symbols, each in its own rectangular frame. The skyband symbols imply some connection with the sun's annual cycle through the sky.

From "Echoes, Chapter 3:" Describe how the gospel of St. Matthew identifies Christ with the sky.

It says that a star drew the wise men from the east.

From "Echoes, Chapter 3:" Explain the origin of the Christmas holiday. Why do we celebrate Christmas on December 25 instead of in April, the time of year most scholars believe Christ was born?

December 25 signals the world's rebirth. We celebrate Christmas in December because it successfully integrates long-standing popular traditions with the imagery of a new religion.

From the video "Crash Course: Phases of the Moon," describe what is our perspective on Earth during New Moon (where is the Moon in the sky in relation to the Sun). When does the new moon rise and when does it set?

From our perspective, the side of the moon facing us is not illuminated by sunlight. The New Moon rises at sunrise and sets at sunset.

From the video "Crash Course: Phases of the Moon," one week after the new moon, the moon is 90 degrees away from the Sun and half-lit in the sky from our perspective. Why do we call this phase first quarter?

This phase is called the First quarter because the Moon has completed the first quarter of its orbit around the Earth.

From the video "Crash Course: Phases of the Moon," describe what is our perspective on Earth during Full Moon (where is the Moon in the sky in relation to the Sun)? When does the full moon rise and when does it set?

From our perspective, the entire face of the Moon is illuminated by sunlight. The Full Moon rises at sunset and sets at sunrise.

From the video "Crash Course: Phases of the Moon," if you were standing on the Moon during "New Moon" and looking at the Earth, in what phase would the Earth be?

You would see the Earth in its full phase.

From lecture, why do we always see the same side of the Moon from Earth?

We are tidally locked.

From lecture, how often does the Moon rotate on its axis?

The Moon rotates on its axis once a month.

From lecture, explain the difference between the sidereal and solar month. Which one is longer and why? Use a well-labeled diagram (like Figure B3 in your Annotated Diagrams file) to help explain, showing the spin of the Earth, the direction of the Moon's orbit, the direction of Earth's orbit and what causes the difference between the solar and sidereal month. Both diagram and some explanation is required.

Use the notes lmaoooo

From the passage "Introduction to Archaeoastronomy," even though observations of the sky were likely no more important than interactions with the surrounding landscape for ancient peoples, we feel that we can potentially learn more by studying how people observed the sky and how it influenced them. Explain why.

We can learn from them because humans were relying on the sky to keep track of seasonal markers, which help us understand living during that time.

From the passage "Introduction to Archaeoastronomy," briefly describe three potential problems (there are four mentioned) with using first-hand accounts to understand the ancient practices and beliefs of a particular society.

First-hand accounts often reflect the perspectives and beliefs of the observer rather than the objective record of ancient practices. Ancient texts or oral traditions may have been translated multiple times, leading to misinterpretations of their original meanings. And not all astronomical beliefs were documented.

From the passage "Introduction to Archaeoastronomy," briefly describe two ways (one example from Scotland and another from Central America) that we can distinguish between accidental (or serendipitous) and intentional astronomical alignments.

The Inca empire had the Quipa, which embedded sky knowledge and cosmological beliefs within myths. The Recumbent stone circles in Scotland, have a consistent orientation relating to the moon.

From the passage "Introduction to Archaeoastronomy," explain what is an intercalary month and why it was used in some ancient calendars.

An intercalary month was a month that was added so that Sirius would continue to rise in the final month of the following year.

From the passage "Introduction to Archaeoastronomy," though not all civilizations follow this route, describe the "natural" three-step progression of calendar development that led to the type of calendar we use today.

1. Lunar Calendar, month by month 2. Linking lunar and solar calendar. 3. Make systematic correction

From the video "Crash Course: Eclipses," explain why we don't get lunar or solar eclipses every month.

We don't experience lunar or solar eclipses every month because the Moon's orbit around the Earth is tilted by about 5 degrees relative to Earth's orbit around the sun.

From the video "Crash Course: Eclipses," explain the cause of the difference between an annular and a total solar eclipse.

The difference between an annular and a total solar eclipse arises from the varying distances between the Earth and the Moon due to the Moon's elliptical orbit.

From the video "Crash Course: Eclipses," why does the moon appear to be a deep red color during a total lunar eclipse?

During a total lunar eclipse, the Earth positions itself between the sun and the moon, casting its shadow upon the moon, allowing longer red wavelengths to pass through.

From the video "Crash Course: Eclipses," explain how the ancient Greeks were able to use lunar eclipses to show that the Earth is a sphere.

The ancient Greeks observed that during a lunar eclipse, Earth's shadow cast upon the Moon was always circular. They reasoned that a spherical object consistently casts a round shadow, regardless of its orientation.

From the passage "Equinox Alignments," equinox is sometimes defined as the time when day and night everywhere on the Earth are the same length (12 hours) or alternatively that it is the day when the time between sunrise/sunset is the same as the time between sunset/sunrise. Briefly describe four factors that make it difficult to precisely define the equinox by using "day length" definitions like this.

One cannot determine the equinox by measuring the length of time between sunrise and sunset. It gets light before the sun rises and remains light after the sun sets. Refraction also plays a part in it.

From the passage "Equinox Alignments," explain what is the astronomical definition of the equinox (there are two different ways described by the author, either one is fine).

They represent the positions in the earth's orbit where the axis joining the two poles leans neither toward nor away from the sun.

From the passage "Equinox Alignments," the equinox is sometimes thought of as "the halfway point between the solstices." The author refers to measuring the equinox as a "halfway point in space or the halfway point in time." What does it mean to measure the "halfway point in space" and why might this definition depend on where you are observing from on the Earth?

What is means is that it was measured from direct observations.

From the passage "Equinox Alignments," measuring the equinox as a "halfway point in time" is also referred to as the "Thom equinox." Describe two potential problems with determining an equinox in this way.

It requires an efficient system of recording or memorizing numbers of days up to 180, which is not self-evident. There also wasn't much motivation to use this method in post human societies.

From the passage "Equinox Alignments," near the end of the passage, the author argues that it is likely peoples in ancient Europe and Mesoamerica likely did not orient anything with respect to equinoxes (instead they oriented with cardinal directions East-West, if anything). Explain two reasons why the author makes this argument (one example from Europe, the other from Mesoamerica).

In Europe, they had an interest in the motions of the sun, manifested in many different ways in different places and times. In Mesoamerica, evidence exists for horizon calendars marking sunrise at different dates in the year against topographic landmarks.

From "Star Tales -- Scorpius:" The original Greek constellation was much larger than the modern constellation of Scorpius. Describe how the constellation was split and what the extra constellation is now.

One half was Skorpios which contained its body and sting, and the front half had the claws called chelae. The claws was made a separate constellation called Libra.

From "Star Tales -- Scorpius:" In Greek mythology, how is Orion related to the constellation Scorpius? In this story, why does Orion set while Scorpius rises?

This scorpion stung Orion to death. Orion sets as his conqueror rises.

From "Star Tales -- Scorpius:" The original Arabic name of the bright red star Antares was "kalb al-'akrab," which translates as what?

It translates to the heart of the scorpion.

From the video on the ancient Maya: According to Anthony Aveni, the civilization that built Chichen Itza lasted until about the 9th century AD. Aveni says there had been an advanced, progressive civilization in that region for about how many years? What are two lines of evidence that speak to their sophistication?

The Maya civilization in the Yucatan region thrived for around 1,500 years. Two lines of evidence showing their sophistication include Astronomical Knowledge and Architectural Alignments.

From the video on the ancient Maya: Describe the phenomenon that occurs at the Temple of Kukulcan on one of the two equinox days each year at sunset. Why doesn't this phenomenon happen on other days of the year?

On the equinoxes, the setting sun casts a series of triangular shadows, It's only correct on the day of the Equinox.

From the video on the ancient Maya: What is the apparent purpose of the 27.5 degree offset of the orientation of El Caracol?

This alignment is believed to correspond with the northernmost setting point on Venus.

From the video on the ancient Maya: What is the apparent purpose of the "cockeyed" asymmetric corners of the platform on which El Caracol sits?

The asymmetric corners of El Caracols platform are thought to be intentional design features that align with specific astronomical events, allowing for precise observations.

From the video on the ancient Maya: Explain the evidence that supports the idea that the Temple of Kukulcan served as a kind of calendar (aside from the equinox phenomenon).

The temple is designed with 91 steps on four sides, plus the top platform, totaling to 365 steps. This number corresponds to the days in a solar year, suggesting the pyramid functions as a calendar.

From the video on the ancient Maya: Explain how many days or years are represented in the Mayan calendar by the Tzolkin, the Haab and the Calendar Round. How is the Calendar Round related to the Tzolkin and Haab?

The tzolkin is 260 days, the haab is 365 days, calendar round is a 52 year period where the tzolkin and haab cycles align.

From the video on the ancient Maya: What were two lines of evidence to support the idea that the Mayan culture paid particular attention to the motions of the planet Venus?

The Codex and glyphs on the governor's palace.

From the video on the ancient Maya: Briefly describe a couple of reasons why the Maya studied Venus so closely (i.e. what did they believe Venus affected here on Earth?).

The Maya associated Venus with warfare and believed its heliacal rise was an auspicious time to initiate conflicts.