Of paintings, telescopes, hobbits and astronomy
Thursday afternoon saw the second session at the IAU Symposium 260 on Astronomy and the Arts, with a series of most interesting contributions. Two were particularly interesting to me.
In the first one, Paolo Molaro (Italy) presented a very unique study of some paintings of Jan Brueghel the Elder, in which telescopes are present. Painted between 1608 and 1621, they may serve as useful historical pieces of evidence to study the first telescopes made, as well as its evolution. It serves thereby also at getting a glance at how scientific information travelled during this period, as well as the interaction of science and arts.
Molaro showed the presence of spyglasses or telescopes in at least four of Brueghel’s paintings: The allegory of the sight and smell, the allegory of the five senses, the allegory of sight, and a landscape with view of the castle of Mariemont. In the allegory of sight and that of the five senses, the telescopes shown presents a great level of details, but they are also strikingly dissimilar, although they may have the same maker. Molaro is also puzzled that the eyepieces of these telescopes seem more compatible with a Keplerian telescope, rather than with a Galileo or Dutch type. He also notes that in one of the paintings, it is a small monkey – usual symbol of foolishness – who holds the telescope, while in another painting – the allegory of the air – it is a flying cherub who is observing the distant sky through a hand-held telescope. Perhaps, it is time to go back to a museum?
In another most interesting presentation, Kristine Larsen (USA) showed how she is using the very popular works of fantasy and magic – books and movies – to interest people in astronomy. The Lord of the Rings, the World of Narnia, or Harry Potter, which have drawn millions of youngsters and olds alike, have all extensive references to astronomy. In Harry Potter for example, the Centaurs make a statement about planet Venus, or the students have to study Orion, the Galilean moons, and make a model of a galaxy. And this is without mentioning all the astronomical references to the names of Harry Potter’s characters: Sirius (Black), Draco (Malefoy), etc.
Moreover, Harry Potter and his friend clearly despise the course of astrology! It would be stupid not to make use of all this, says Larsen. And so did she: in planetarium shows, in themed star parties, or just when introducing an astronomical topics.
If you wish to follow this nice example, she has an extensive web site on this.
OK, where did my daughter hide her copies of the Harry Potter’s saga?
This is an account of one of the topics presented at the Symposium 260 of the International Astronomical Union, which was held at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. Its theme: The Rôle of Astronomy in Society and Culture. You can read more posts on this symposium.