On the Origin of Myths in Catastrophic Experience, vol. 2: The Earth's Aurora (preview)
Abstract
Preview containing table of contents and sample pages.
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In this second volume, the earth’s magnetic field and aurora take centre stage. Geomagnetic reversals are rare occasions when the field dwindles, the north and south magnetic poles trade places, and minor poles come into play. This process remains incomplete in the much more frequent case of a geomagnetic excursion. Throughout human history, people have personified and mythologised the aurora. If a geomagnetic excursion had occurred within human memory, they could have observed spectacular transformations of the lights, even at low latitudes, and enshrined these in myths, monuments, images and rituals. Many elements of the primordial condition described worldwide may thus be explained – awe-inspiring luminous rings, arcs and columns, often dynamic and structured, that seemingly held up a gloomy, low-hanging sky.
Evidence is cited for two excursions that could have informed age-old traditions in this way. Specialists dispute both and a way out of the controversy is proposed. The unique effects that a geomagnetic reversal or excursion must have on the aurora are further explored through possible contemporary parallels on other solar-system bodies and in experimental work on terrellae, of which a historical survey is given. A wealth of new information is provided throughout on the history of geomagnetic studies and auroral physics.
With a foreword by Dr. C. J. Ransom.
XXXIII + 516 pages, including 168 illustrations and index.
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The progress of space physics is reviewed from my personal point of view, particularly how I have reached my present understanding of auroral substorms and geomagnetic storms from the time of the earliest days of space physics. This review is somewhat unique in two ways. First of all, instead of taking the magnetic field line approach (including magnetic reconnection), I have taken the electric current approach; it consists of power supply (dynamo), transmission (currents/circuits), and dissipation (auroral/magnetospheric substorms). This is the basic way to study electromagnetic phenomena and it is much more instructive in understanding the physics involved in the chain processes. Secondly, this is not a textbook-like review, but it is hoped that my humble experience may be useful to see how a new science of space physics has evolved with a number of controversies. On the other hand, it can be seen that the electric current approach is still in a very rudiment stage. Thus, new generations of researchers are most welcome in taking this new way of studying auroral/magnetospheric substorms and geomagnetic storms.
Humphreys & Waddington have recently suggested that the Biblical account involving Joshua’s control of the sun and moon (Joshua 10. 1-15) was inspired by an annular eclipse. Going by the text as given, it is shown that the explanation as an eclipse, whether annular or total, is unacceptable on calendrical, philological and physical grounds alike. The story’s possible historicity cannot be properly evaluated until it is placed in two cross-cultural and sometimes overlapping contexts: ritual utterances before battle designed to divine the outcome or provoke divine intervention in it and the mythology of solar arrests, reversals and radical alterations of the length of day. ‘Solar magic’ emerges as a common archaic practice in real life as well as legend. Some literary parallels are cited which have never before been linked with Joshua. All things considered, the tale may have originated as an embellished memory of some extraordinary natural event other than an eclipse, coinciding with a historical battle. A tempting possibility is the aerial passage of a fragmenting bolide, producing a meteorite shower and nocturnal illumination.
Herein, Anatolian aurorae are reviewed based on the existing catalogs to establish a relationship between the aurora observations and past solar activity during the Medieval period. For this purpose, historical aurora catalogs for Constantinople and Anatolia are compiled based on the existing catalogs and compared with those in the Middle East region. The available catalogs in the literature are mostly related to the records observed in Europe, Japan, China, Russia, and the Middle East. There is no study dealing only with the historical aurora observations recorded in Anatolia and Constantinople. The data of the catalog show that there is a considerable relationship between the aurora activity and past strong solar activity. High auroral activity around the extreme solar particle storm in 774/775 and the Medieval grand maximum in the 1100s in Anatolia and the Middle East is quite consistent with the past solar variability reported in other scientific literature.
In 1717, Halley compared contemporaneous measurements of the latitudes of four stars with earlier measurements by ancient Greek astronomers and by Brahe, and from the differences concluded that these four stars showed proper motion. An analysis with modern methods shows that the data used by Halley do not contain significant evidence for proper motion. What Halley found are the measurement errors of Ptolemaios and Brahe. Halley further argued that the occultation of Aldebaran by the Moon on 11 March 509 in Athens confirmed the change in latitude of Aldebaran. In fact, however, the relevant observation was almost certainly made in Alexandria where Aldebaran was not occulted. By carefully considering measurement errors, Jacques Cassini showed that Halley’s results from comparison with earlier astronomers were spurious, a conclusion partially confirmed by various later authors. Cassini’s careful study of the measurements of the latitude of Arcturus provides the first significant evidence for proper motion.
For a detailed summary of contents, see the introduction by Kira Moss, pp. 11-15.
The renowned classical scholar and archaeologist A. B. Cook (1868–1952) published the second volume of his monumental Zeus: A Study in Ancient Religion in two parts in 1925. The volume covers the theme of Zeus as god of lightning and thunder, an idea that became common during the classical period. Part II contains detailed appendixes and a comprehensive index for the volume. It offers a wealth of information, including primary sources, on Zeus' relationship with the god Kairos; mountain-cults; folk-tales and myths; and the various personas and manifestations of the god Zeus. It is beautifully illustrated with maps, diagrams, photographs, and engravings, including many images of pottery, statues, busts, friezes and ancient coins. A treasure-trove of primary texts, both Greek and Latin, epigraph material and archaeological data, this magnificent work remains an indispensable tool for students and scholars of classics, mythology and ancient religion.
Richly illustrated with full-color images, this book is a comprehensive, up-to-date description of the planets, their moons, and recent exoplanet discoveries. This second edition of a now classic reference is brought up to date with fascinating new discoveries from 12 recent Solar System missions. Examples include water on the Moon, volcanism on Mercury's previously unseen half, vast buried glaciers on Mars, geysers on Saturn's moon Enceladus, lakes of hydrocarbons on Titan, encounter with asteroid Itokawa, and sample return from comet Wild 2. The book is further enhanced by hundreds of striking new images of the planets and moons. Written at an introductory level appropriate for undergraduate and high-school students, it provides fresh insights that appeal to anyone with an interest in planetary science. A website hosted by the author contains all the images in the book with an overview of their importance. A link to this can be found at www.cambridge.org/solarsystem.