Title: Historical Supernovae
Speaker: F. Richard Stephenson
Abstract: F. Richard Stephenson has made a detailed investigation of
observations of historical supernovae recorded between ancient times
and the 17th century. Over that period, possibly as many as eight
supernovae were observed. Records are found in such varied sources as
Chinese astrological treatises, medieval Arabic and European
chronicles, and European works on astronomy from the Renaissance
period.
This talk will deal with the following aspects: description of the
various historical sources of "new star" records; interpretation of
the observations which are preserved; discussion of individual
supernovae; and identification of their remnants.
Reference for students:
"The sands of time and the Earth's rotation" Stephenson, F.R. & Morrison, L.V. 1998, Astronomy and Geophysics, 39, 5.8-5.10
"The supernova of AD 1181 - an update" Stephenson, F.R. & Green, D.A. 1999, Astronomy and Geophysics, 40, 2.27 - 2.28
"The earliest drawing of sunspots" Stephenson, F.R. & Willis, D.M. 1999, Astronomy and Geophysics, 40, 6.21 - 6.22
"Early Chinese observations and modern astronomy" Stephenson, F.R. 1999, Sky and Telescope, 2, 48-55
Lunch with the students will be on Friday 9/29 at 12:00 in A-101.