Parallel sessions

Contemporary astronomy as it is commonly taught at universities, tends to exclude a direct experience of the sky, to some extent a reflection of our modern western society. It embraces theoretical explorations and technical advanced imaging of the sky sometimes in wavelengths invisible to the human eye. However, the intrinsic beauty and simplicity of the sky is often an afterthought even though it might have been the initial motivation of many students to become astronomers. We might think of inspiring Hubble Heritage images, but also how they defy direct observation by the eye.

The subject area of archaeoastronomy, cultural astronomy and skyscape archaeology do engage with the sky through its direct experience of humans with its temporal variability and rhythms. These are interdisciplinary research areas that include as one cornerstone astronomy. Recent research in how the sky is explored by humans has shaped the term skyscape that is now becoming relevant for archaeology, see for example the new Stonehenge Skyscape website. Here lies now a need to re-engage astronomers to the direct sky experience and ultimately to archaeoastronomy. This move would help shape opportunities and material to illustrate how this can be achieved in a university curriculum. It would also be essential to ensure that the new term of skyscapes is developed and interpreted by astronomers and their special viewpoint based upon their unique sky engagement.

Furthermore, this work could aid a possible increased appreciation of sky and its cultural importance in our society. This might assist in also re-evaluating some of our negative industrial impact upon sky such as light pollution and Starlink.
With these sessions we encourage a review of taught astronomy material especially at universities and how it can be linked to a direct engagement of the sky (innovative teaching, immersive environments or hands-on experiences). It aims at presenting current cases where we impact or engage with sky in our unique and debatable manner (light pollution, Starlink, or super blood moon). And finally, it calls for relevant examples of historic or prehistoric sky engagement that offers further understanding of our interaction with the sky (skyscape of Stonehenge).

Schedule

16:00 Steven Gullberg “Education for Cultural Astronomy”
16:10 Marc Frincu “Takeaways from teaching Cultural Astronomy to undergrad students in arts, humanities, and sciences”
16:30 Christopher Baddiley “Dark sky measurement data, profile fitting at MHAONB”
16:50 Susan Greaney “Stonehenge Skyscape: digital engagement with the skies through archaeology”
17:10 Florence Gadsby “Making a Virtual Skyscape Diorama”
17:20 Pauline Woolley “Writing, Drawing and Experiencing Skyscapes - An Exhibition"