|
Next UK Sky and landscape course
will be announced shortly
Sky and Landscape Courses
The courses start from a belief that this is such an interesting and
important subject that many more people need to be encouraged to join in.
By keeping the numbers small, we hope that we can adapt to individual
needs. Some participants may simply want to observe and listen, while
others may want the answers to specific questions or help with particular
problems. Some will have knowledge of the subject already, while others
will be interested newcomers. Some may want to take up serious research
into astronomical alignments at prehistoric sites, while others may simply
want to enhance their appreciation of such sites when they come upon them
in the countryside.
There will be some indoor talks and classes as well as outdoor visits to
local sites to illustrate the practical problems and approaches. We want
participants on the course to enjoy the weekend, meet like-minded and
interesting people, experience a relatively unexplored part of Wales and
go home seeing the landscape with new eyes!
Subjects Covered in the Sky and Landscape Courses included:
• Prehistoric Britain, especially the Bronze Age
• History of archaeology and archaeoastronomy, especially the work of
Professor Thom.
• Astronomy of the sun and moon and especially Lunar standstills.
• How to find the key positions of the sun at different latitudes.
• The importance of locating sites exactly. Use of the compass,
map-reading, GPS systems and theodolites.
• Measurements, megalithic yards and geometry. Why these provide clues
about the astronomical purpose of sites.
• Declinations and why you need to understand them.
• Computer programmes and their role in helping you do the calculations.
• The importance of preserving prehistoric sites for future research.
AS AN EXAMPLE OF THE COURSES:
THE LAST COURSE WAS HELD
ON 14 to 16 SEPTEMBER:
SKY
AND LANDSCAPE COURSE
IN
GLASFFRWD VALLEY, MID WALES
|
