*************************************************************************** * * * ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER FOR THE HISTORY OF ASTRONOMY * * * * Published by the Working Group for the History of Astronomy * * in the Astronomische Gesellschaft * * * * Number 14, June 11, 1996 * * * * A translation of * * * * ELEKTRONISCHE MITTEILUNGEN ZUR ASTRONOMIEGESCHICHTE * * Nr. 14, 1. April 1996 * * * * Edited by: Dr. Wolfgang R. Dick * * * * Translated by: Mr. Donald Bellunduno <76450.1741@CompuServe.COM> * * * *************************************************************************** Contents -------- 1. David Fideler: Conference Announcement: "The World Soul and the Soul of the World: Philosophy, Cosmos, and Culture" 2. Exhibitions and museums 3. Conferences 1996/97 4. New books 6. Addendum by the translator: Space Calendar Expressions of thanks Imprint ........................................................................... Item 1 ENHA No. 14, June 11, 1996 ........................................................................... Conference Announcement: ------------------------ "The World Soul and the Soul of the World: Philosophy, Cosmos, and Culture" --------------------------------------------------------------------------- By David Fideler, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA The ALEXANDRIA journal is organizing a session on "The World Soul and the Soul of the World" for the 15th Annual Conference on Global and Multicultural Dimensions of Ancient and Medieval Philosophy and Social Thought which will be held October 25-27, 1996 at the State University of New York, Binghamton. All conference sessions are open to the public free of charge. The conference embodies a multicultural approach and covers Indigenous, Jewish, Africana, Greek, Christian, Islamic, and East Asian traditions. We are especially interested in receiving papers that address in some way the relationships between philosophy, cosmos, and culture. Papers can address historical topics or contemporary issues in philosophy, ethics, ecology, cosmology, or the social sciences. Papers do not have to address the topic of the World Soul per se, but they must deal with the theme of "philosophy and the world" ("world" can also mean "society") or "philosophy and the cosmos." "Philosophy" can be broadly defined. Individuals interested in presenting papers should contact us with proposals by May 1, 1996. Proposals should include a title, one page abstract, your name, address, and academic affiliation. Contact: David Fideler, Editor Alexandria PO Box 6114 Grand Rapids, Michigan 49516 Phone/Fax: (616) 456-5740 E-mail: phanes@cris.com ........................................................................... Item 2 ENHA No. 14, June 11, 1996 ........................................................................... Exhibitions and museums ----------------------- The Mathematisch-Physikalischer Salon (Mathematical and Physical Salon) in Dresden (in the Zwinger Palace) will have on display from the 31st of January to the 29th of September 1996 a special exhibition celebrating the Saxon astronomer, geodesist and cartographer, Wilhelm Gotthelf Lohrmann (1796-1840). Opening hours: 9.30 am - 5.00 pm, closed on Thursdays. The exhibition "Peter Apian - Astronomy, Cosmography und Mathematics at the Beginning of the Modern Age" (see ENHA 8 and ENHA 11), which was shown in Ingolstadt in 1995, will be on display from the 23rd of February until the 28th of July 1996 at Castle Mildenstein in Leisnig (Saxony, Germany, between Leipzig and Dresden on highway A 14). Peter Apian was born 500 years ago in Leisnig. In 1996 the Castle Leisnig celebrates its 950th anniversary. During the exhibition a catalog is available (see ENHA 12, section "New Books"). Opening hours: Daily, except Mondays 9am to 5pm. Information: Staatlicher Schlossbetrieb Burg Mildenstein, Burglehn 6, D-04703 Leisnig, Germany, Tel. (034321) 12652, Fax (034321) 51537 The exhibition in Potsdam "From the Great Refractor to the Einstein Tower" (see ENHA 8) is still open to the public. The Forschungs- und Landesbibliothek Gotha (Research and State Library in Gotha), founded in 1647 as a ducal library, holds also historical collections of astronomical literature and archival documents on the history of astronomy, as well as historical terrestrial and celestial globes. The globes can be seen during the tours through the library in the Castle Friedenstein. Tours are available from Monday through Friday at 2:30pm, as well as by arrangement. Opening hours of the library: Monday 1pm-5pm, Tuesday-Thursday 9am-5pm, Friday 10am-7pm. Address: Forschungs- und Landesbibliothek Gotha, Postfach 30, D-99851 Gotha, Germany, Tel.: (03621) 3080-0, Fax: (03621) 3080-38 Literature: Horn, Werner: Die alten Globen der Forschungsbibliothek und des Schlossmuseums Gotha. Gotha, 1976. 103 pp., illus., DM 12.00. (= Veroeffentlichungen der Forschungsbibliothek Gotha, H. 17) [Deliverable] The Museum fuer Regionalgeschichte und Volkskunde (Museum for Regional History and Ethnic Studies) in the Castle Friedenstein in Gotha has also on display: "Imago mundi - Picture of the World: Developmental lines of cartography with regards to impulses from Gotha." This part of the museum includes various astronomical and astronomy related geodetic exhibits, among them a portrait (painting) of P.A.Hansen, an original watercolor of the Seeberg Observatory, a refractor by Johann Friedrich Schroeder (Gotha), a Gregory reflector dating back to the beginning of the 19th century (from the Seeberg Observatory), Arabic and Turkish mathematical and astronomical instruments, a precision pendulum clock from Mudge & Dutton (London ca. 1785) which was used astronomically. Also on display are various surveying instruments (levelling instrument, alidade, planimeter etc.) as well as terrestrial globes. Opening hours: Daily 9am-5pm Address: Gothaer Kultur- und Fremdenverkehrsbetrieb, Museum fuer Regionalgeschichte und Volkskunde mit Kartographischem Museum, Schloss Friedenstein / Westturm, D-99867 Gotha, Germany, Tel. (03621) 54016 The public observatory "Manfred von Ardenne" in Seebad Heringsdorf (at the Isle of Usedom in North Eastern Germany) holds a Cassegrain reflector of 25 cm aperture and 4m focal length, which was constructed by the famous astronomical optician Bernhard Schmidt, and was built by the Carl Peter Goerz Company (Berlin) in 1925. This instrument was obtained by the physicist Manfred von Ardenne in 1930 and used in his private observatory on the roof of his house in Berlin-Lichterfelde Ost, Jungfernstieg 19. After various adventures during the Second World War, the telescope accompanied the scientist during his involuntary stay in Sukhumi (USSR) where, from 1945 until 1952, he worked indirectly on the Soviet Atom Bomb Project. Later Prof. Ardenne provided the telescope to the public observatory in Heringsdorf, where he often spent his vacation. The telescope is available during the summer months for public viewing of the night sky. Allegedly, it is also the last instrument in use today that was made by Bernhard Schmidt. One can find the observatory near to the promenade, about 400 meters east of the Seebruecke (quay). Information: Lars Stephan, Klenzestr. 3, D-17424 Heringsdorf, Germany, Tel.: (038378) 31634 Literature: Ardenne, Manfred von: Sechzig Jahre fuer Forschung und Fortschritt. Autobiographie. Berlin: Verlag der Nation, 1987, p. 115. [Further historical facts and information on this instrument, especially on the role B.Schmidt played in the construction (polishing the mirror?) were not available. Any additional information would be appeciated.] The oldest house of Seebad Bansin on the Island of Usedom (Seestr. 63) belonged at one time to Friedrich Simon Archenhold (1861-1939), the founder of the public observatory in Berlin-Treptow (today Archenhold Observatory). In 1920, he acquired it from the Berlin corn surgeon Emil Wichmann, who many decades beforehand had bought it off of the fisherman Frank. The house is located not close to the street, but may be reached following the way which leads uphill between 61a and 62, and going round number 62a. Archenhold had a deep spiritual relationship with the indigenous population, and, because of his crazy adventures, tended also to become part of their hearts as well. In good keeping with that tradition, he appeared at a dance at the Kurhaushotel "Atlantic", during the evening festivities - dressed only in his pajamas. Literature: Richter, Egon: Bansin. Die Geschichte eines Weltbades. Rostock: Konrad Reich Verlag 1990, pp. 11-12 and 63-65. In Peenemuende on the Isle of Usedom in 1991, at the site of the power plant of the former army test center for advanced rocketry (Heeresversuchsanstalt), a historical and technical information center was opened. The center is dedicated to the history of space travel, the history of Peenemuende, and to the history of technology in general. At Peenemuende the now world famous A-4 rocket, better known as the V-2, first reached on the 3rd of October, 1942, an altitude of 84.5 km. This event is the reason for Peenemuende to call itself the "birthplace of space travel". Since the museum's original goal is in dispute, it is being funded privately, and not by the state or local government. On display are exhibit pieces depicting the history of the V-1 and the V-2, wrapped around the tours are accompanying videos showing film footage on those rockets. Unfortunately, astronomical aspects are displayed in form of astrological posters. Opening hours: Tues-Sat 9am-5pm Address: Bahnhofstr. 28, D-17449 Peenemuende, Germany, Tel. (038371) 20573, Fax 20574 Literature: [1] Fischer, Daniel: Schwarz und weiss waren nur die Raketen. 50 Jahre danach: Das Erbe von Peenemuende. In: Sterne und Weltraum 32 (1993) 3, 178-184; [2] Peenemuende. Wegweiser durch das Historisch-technische Informationszentrum und Umgebung. 2nd, enlarged ed. Peenemuende: Verlag Axel Dietrich, 1993. 26 pp. Translator's note: It should be noted ironically that the beginning of this historical center dedicated to the history of Peenemuende is, at its inception, very similar to the beginning state of the original rocket testing center in Berlin, which was set up by the then rocket enthusiast and physicist Wernher von Braun and his followers, who started their original work at the Raketenflugplatz in the early 1930s, before being able to attract enough money from the army to set up an official installation at Kummersdorf. One can only hope that this new historical and technical information center on the Isle of Usedom, will be as successful and have as great an impact on science and the advance of space travel, as the work of those dedicated rocket pioneers did so many years before. When visiting the Isle of Usedom one can observe in the St. Petri Church in Benz the 135 symbols of the heavenly stars in gold, white and blue on the ceiling, which stem from a Swinemuende master from the first half of the 19th Century (Open daily - May to September). Worth seeing are also the signs of the zodiac depicted around a compass rose in the former appartment of Otto Niemeyer-Holstein (1896-1984), symbolising most notably his navigational knowledge: The painter had planned a flight from the Nazis in his sail boat across the Baltic Sea. (Today his estate is a public museum: Museums-Atelier Otto Niemeyer-Holstein, "Luettenort" near Koserow at road B 111, Tours: Tues-Sat 10, 11, 2pm and 3pm, register in advance please: Tel. 038375 - 20213). ........................................................................... Item 3 ENHA No. 14, June 11, 1996 ........................................................................... Conferences 1996/97 ------------------- Further conferences in the year 1996 have already been described in past issues of the ENHA. For a complete list of all conferences announced up to now, please see the following WWW address: http://aibn55.astro.uni-bonn.de:8000/~pbrosche/hist_astr/ha_meet_1996.html Salamanca, Spain In Salamanca the semi-annual meeting on "Astronomy in Cultur" takes place, the fifth in April this year. Information and abstracts of the papers being presented can be obtained by writing to: Prof. Dr. Carlos Jaschek, Teso de la Feria 39, E-37008 Salamanca, Spain Strasbourg, France In Strasbourg semi-annual colloqiums on "Astronomy & Sciences Humaines" take place. The papers presented are published in the series "Publication de l'Observatoire Astronomique de Strasbourg, Serie Astronomie & Sciences Humaines". Information: Dr. G. Jasniewicz, Observatoire, 11, rue de l'Universite, F-67000 Strasbourg, France 11 - 24 February 1996, Telchaquillo, Mexico Astronomy camp by and for amateur astronomers in a Mayan village. Seminar on the cultur of the Mayans, geology und astronomy. Info: Martina Gerhards, Koelnstr. 464, D-53117 Bonn, Germany Price: 4939 DM. 12 February 1996, Dortmund, Germany 6th Dortmund Symposium on the History of Surveying (Including lectures by D.Hoffmann "From German Customs Union to the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt" and W.Torge ("From Gauss to Baeyer and Helmert - early ideas and initiatives on a European geodesy.") Place: Rotunda in the Museum fuer Kunst- und Kulturgeschichte (Museum for Art and Cultural History), Hansastr. 3 Time: 10am - 3pm Conference fee for non-members: 30.00 DM Information: Foerderkreis Vermessungstechnisches Museum, Postfach 101233, D-44012 Dortmund, Germany, Tel. (0231) 5025686, Fax 5025428 18 -23 March 1996, Freiberg / Saxony, Germany History of Geophysics and related disciplines Enrollment: Dr. Wilfried Schroeder, Hechelstr. 8, D-28777 Bremen, Germany 10 - 12 April 1996, London, UK "Archives of the Scientific Revolution". Includes discussion of papers of Galileo, Boyle, Huygens, Leibniz and Newton. Place: Royal Society Contact: Prof. Michael Hunter, Dept of History, Birkbeck College, University of London, Malet St, London WC1E 7HX, England 3 - 4 May 1996, Dresden, Germany Working meeting by the Fachgruppe Geschichte des Vermessungswesens im Verband Deutscher Vermessungsingenieure (Special Group on the History of Surveying within the Union of German Surveying Engineers): "The precision of historical instruments, old maps and first planned measurements." Conference fee for non members: 120.00 DM Sign up: Dipl.-Ing. Heinz Juergen Lagoda, Westfaelische Str. 30, D-47169 Duisburg, Germany, Tel. (0203) 598247 20 - 24 May 1996, Baltimore, Maryland 1996 Spring Meeting of the American Geophysical Union U01 Geophysical Research and the Smithsonian Institution: 1846-1996 (AGU History Committee). This is a special session on geophysics and the Smithsonian Institution on the occasion of the Smithsonian's 150th anniversary. Historical papers and reviews of current Smithsonian-related geophysical research are solicited. Examples of this research include 19th-century weather and climate networks, solar research under Secretaries Langley and Abbot, international distribution of meteorite collections, and historical or contemporary work at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. Convener: James R. Fleming, Science and Technology Studies, Colby College, Waterville, ME 04901, tel: 207-872-3548, fax: 207-872-3074, e-mail: jrflemin@colby.edu A01 Historical Perspectives on Climate Change (co-sponsored by the AGU History Committee). Historical papers on scientific and popular understanding of climatic change and the greenhouse effect are solicited to mark the centennial of Svante Arrhenius's work, "On the Influence of Carbonic Acid in the Air upon the Temperature of the Ground" (1896). Papers on all historical aspects of climate change and on all eras are encouraged. Conveners: James R. Fleming, Science and Technology Studies, Colby College, Waterville, ME 04901, tel: 207-872-3548, fax: 207-872-3074, e-mail: jrflemin@colby.edu; and William W. Kellogg, 445 College Avenue, Boulder, CO 80302, tel: 303-443-5086 URL: http://earth.agu.org/kosmos/sm96top.html 9-13 June 1996, Madison, Wisconsin, USA 188th Meeting of the American Astronomical Society Including a session on "Radio Astronomy, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow" URL: http://www.aas.org/meetings/aas188/prelim/prelim.html 10 - 13 July 1996, Liverpool, UK "Science Matters: The Role and Achievements of Science in Greek Antiqity" Place: University of Liverpool Contact: Dr J.C. Tuplin, Dept of Classics and Ancient History, University of Liverpool, 12 Abercromby Square, Liverpool, England 2 - 5 September 1996, Salamanca, Spain Meeting of the European Society for Astronomy in Culture (SEAC) For further information, please contact the Local Organizing Committee: c/o Prof. Dr. Carlos Jaschek, Teso de la Feria 39, E-37008 Salamanca, Spain URL: http://hp400b.hf.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/%7Ecat/seac/tagung_englisch.html 9 - 11 September 1996, Ottawa and Montreal, Canada XV Symposium of the Scientific Instrument Commission of the International Union of the History and Philosophy of Science Place: National Museum of Science and Technology, Ottawa. It is anticipated that some sessions will also be held in Montreal. For details contact: Dr Randall Brooks, Curator, National Museum of Science and Technology, PO Box 9724, Term. T, Ottawa, ON, K1G 5AR, Canada, Tel: 613 990 2804, fax: 613 990 3636 27 - 29 September 1996, Berlin, Germany Deutscher Wissenschaftshistorikertag 1996 (German Day of Historians of Science) under the theme: "Turns of eras - The changing orientation in science and society: The Sciences around 1600 and 1900" (The planned discussion on astronomy around 1600 and 1900 has been cancelled because of lack of interest.) Information: Peter Burger, Institut fuer Geschichtswissenschaften, Humboldt-Universitaet, Unter den Linden 6-8, D-10099 Berlin, Germany, Tel. (030) 2093-3870, Fax 2093-2431 3 - 5 October, Bern, Switzerland 8th Colloqium on the History of Cartography Information: Dr. W. Scharfe, Arno-Holz-Str. 12, D-12165 Berlin, Germany 10 - 13 October, Bielefeld, Germany 1996 annual meeting of the Society for Social Studies of Science Session VI. Historical Dimensions of Social Studies of Science Please ask for the registration form from: Guenter Kueppers, Local Organizing Chair, Institute for Science and Technology Studies, University of Bielefeld, PF 100 131, D-33501 Bielefeld, Fax: +49 521 106 5844, Phone: +49 521 106 4674, e-mail: gkueppers@argo.hrz.uni-bielefeld.de URL: http://www.uni-bielefeld.de/iwt/easst.iwt 4 December 1996, London, UK 4th Annual Invitation Lecture of the Scientific Instrument Society: "Mechanical Celestial Globes of the 16th and Early 17th Centuries" by J.H. Leopold Place: Royal Institution, 20 Albemarle Street, London, W1 25 - 30 July 1997, Liege, Belgium XXth International Congress of the History of Science First circular, indicating interest in further mailings from: Centre d'Histoire des Sciences et des Techniques, Universite de Liege, Avenue des Tilleuls 15, B-4000 Liege, Belgium ........................................................................... Item 4 ENHA No. 14, June 11, 1996 ........................................................................... New books --------- China - Wiege des Wissens: 7000 Jahre Erfindungen und Entdeckungen. La Chine - Berceau de la science: 7000 annees d'inventions et de decouvertes. China - Cradle of Knowledge: 7000 years of inventions and discoveries. Berlin: Verlag Ute Schiller, 1994. 288 pp., ISBN 3-929772-94-9, DM 28.00 [Accompanying book to similarly named exhibit; in three languages, with many colorful depictions as well. It also contains a chapter on astronomy and calendar art as well as one on navigation and shipping.] Christianson, Gale E.: Edwin Hubble: Mariner of the Nebulae. Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 1995. Pp. 420, ISBN 0-374-14660-8, US$ 27.50 Gerdes, Dieter (Ed.): Johann Hieronymus Schroeter. Beobachtungen ueber die Sonnenfackeln und Sonnenflecken [Observations on solar faculae and sunspots]. Lilienthal: Verlag M. Simmering, 1995. 192 pp., ISBN 3-927723-23-1, DM 42.00 [Reprints of works by Schroeter, as well as papers by Fischer, Bode, Hahn, Harding, A.Wilson, W.Herschel and Zach, with a contribution by D.Gerdes.] Gerdes, Dieter (Ed.): Johann Hieronnymus Schroeter. Beobachtungen ueber die betraechtlichen Gebirge und Rotation der Venus [Observations on the considerable mountain chains and rotation of Venus]. Lilienthal: Verlag M. Simmering, 1995. 192 pp., ISBN 3-927723-24-X, DM 42.00 [Reprints of books and essays by Schroeter as well as by Hahn, W.Herschel and Harding, complemented by contributions of D.Gerdes] Manly, Peter L.: Unusual telescopes. Cambridge, New York, Port Chester, Melbourne, Sydney: Cambridge University Press, 1995. Pp. xviii, 221, ISBN 0-521-48393-X, US$ 19.95 (pb) [Paperbound edition of 1991 hardback; on historic and modern telescopes] Motz, Lloyd; Weaver, Jefferson Hane: The story of astronomy. Plenum Press, 1995. Pp. 387, ISBN 0-306-45090-9, US$ 28.95 [This overview of astronomy tells how the science evolved from ancient cultures through the beginning of the modern era.] Schroeder, Wilfried: Sunspot cycles and auroral activity. Bremen-Roennebeck, 1995. Pp. 120, DM 25.00, US$ 20.00 [Using observations from the 16th up until the 20th century.] Schroeder, Wilfried; Colacino, Michele (Eds.): Global change and history of geophysics. Evaluation and implications. Proceedings of the international conference during the IUGG/IAGA General Assembly, July 1995, Boulder (USA). Bremen-Roennebeck, 1995. Pp. 240, DM 30.00, US$ 25.00 [also on archaeoastronomy] Schroeder, Wilfried; Treder, Hans-Juergen (Eds.): Hans Ertel, Collected Works, Vol. II: Theoretical meteorology, weather predictions, cosmology and general applications. Bremen-Roennebeck, 1995. Pp. 156, DM 30.00, US$ 30.00 (incl. postage) [Distribution of all books by W.Schroeder: Science Edition (W.Schroeder), Hechelstr. 8, D-28777 Bremen-Roennebeck, Germany] van der Kruit, P.C.; Gilmore, Gerard (Eds.): Stellar populations. Proceedings of the 164th Symposium of the International Astronomical Union, held in The Hague, The Netherlands, August 15-19, 1994. Dordrecht, Boston, London: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1995. Pp. xix, 472 [with contributions on the history of the concept of stellar populations by Owen Gingerich, Donald D. Osterbrock, Nancy Grace Roman and A. Blaauw] ........................................................................... Item 5 ENHA No. 14, June 11, 1996 ........................................................................... Addendum by the translator: Space Calendar ------------------------------------------ The Space Calendar covers space-related activities and anniversaries for the upcoming year. It is also available on the World Wide Web at: http://newproducts.jpl.nasa.gov/calendar/ The WWW version of the Space Calendar includes over 300 links to other home pages that have additional information on that subject. This calendar is compiled and maintained by Ron Baalke. Please send any updates or corrections to baalke@kelvin.jpl.nasa.gov. Note that anniversary dates are listed in 5 year increments only. Non-historical items have been deleted from the original calendar. Anniversaries from January to December 1996 have already been given in ENHA 13. Here only additions will be presented. June 1996 Jun 30 - 25th Anniversary (1971), Death of 3 Cosmonauts in Soyuz 11 July 1996 Jul 18 - 30th Anniversary (1966), Gemini 10 Launch Jul 20 - 20th Anniversary (1976), Viking 1 Mars Landing Jul 21 - 35th Anniversary (1961), Mercury 4 Launch Jul 26 - 25th Anniversary (1971), Apollo 15 Launch January 1997 Jan 11 - 210th Anniversary (1787), William Herschel's Discovery of Uranus Moons Titania and Oberon Jan 27 - 30th Anniversary (1967), Apollo 1 Fire February 1997 Feb 05 - 30th Anniversary (1967), Lunar Orbiter 3 Launch Feb 14 - 25th Anniversary (1972), Luna 20 Launch (Soviet Moon Sample Return) Feb 20 - 35th Anniversary (1962), Friendship 7 Launch (John Glenn) Feb 23 - 10th Anniversary (1987) of Supernova 1987A Explosion March 1997 Mar 01 - 15th Anniversary (1982), Venera 13 Venus Flyby/Landing (USSR) Mar 03 - 25th Anniversary (1972), Pioneer 10 Launch (Jupiter/Saturn Flyby) Mar 07 - John Herschel's 205th Birthday (1792) Mar 08 - 20th Anniversary (1977), Discovery of Uranus' Rings Mar 27 - 25th Anniversary (1972), Venera 8 Launch (Venus Lander) April 1997 Apr 15 - 25th Anniversary (1972), Apollo 16 Launch (Manned Moon Landing) Apr 17 - 30th Anniversary (1967), Surveyor 3 Launch (Moon Lander) May 1997 May 04 - 30th Anniversary (1967), Lunar Orbiter 4 Launch May 24 - 35th Anniversary (1962), Aurora 7 Launch (Scott Carpenter) ........................................................................... Expressions of thanks --------------------- In addition to the author of contribution, we also wish to thank: Wolfgang Arlt (Berlin), Peter Brosche (Daun), Dieter Gerdes (Lilienthal), Klaus-Dieter Herbst (Jena), Carlos Jaschek (Salamanca), Siegfried Koge (Dresden), Wilfried Schroeder (Bremen), Lars Stephan (Heringsdorf), Manfred Strumpf (Gotha). ........................................................................... Imprint ------- Electronic Newsletter for the History of Astronomy (ENHA) Published by the Working Group for the History of Astronomy in the Astronomische Gesellschaft A translation of "Elektronische Mitteilungen zur Astronomiegeschichte" Editor: Dr. Wolfgang R. Dick Translated by: Mr. Donald Bellunduno <76450.1741@compuserve.com> All items without an author's name are editorial contributions. Articles as well as information for the several sections are appreciated. Copyright Statement: The Electronic Newsletters for the History of Astronomy may be freely re-distributed in the case that no charge is imposed. Public offer in WWW servers, BBS etc. is allowed after the editor has been informed. Non-commercial reproduction of single items in electronic or printed media is permitted when the source is indicated clearly; the editor has to be informed. Subscription to EMA/ENHA is free. Subscribers and readers are asked for occasional donations to the working group. (Printed) Mitteilungen zur Astronomiegeschichte (in German): Price: DM 1.50 / issue plus postage and packing costs outside Germany: free Subscription: Send in DM 2.50 (one issue) or DM 5.00 (Nos. 8-9) in stamps to the editor Editor: Dr. W. R. Dick, Otterkiez 14, D-14478 Potsdam, Germany, Tel.: (+331) 863199 Astronomische Gesellschaft / Astronomical Society: Chairman: Prof. Dr. Hanns Ruder, University of Tuebingen, Theoretical Astrophysics and Computational Physics, Auf der Morgenstelle 10, D-72076 Tuebingen Secretary: Dr. Reinhard Schielicke, Universitaetssternwarte, Schillergaesschen 2, D-07745 Jena, Tel.: (+3641) 63 03 36, E-mail: schie@georg.astro.uni-jena.de Arbeitskreis Astronomiegeschichte / Working Group for the History of Astronomy: Chairman: Prof. Dr. Peter Brosche, Observatorium Hoher List der Sternwarte der Universitaet Bonn, D-54550 Daun, Germany, Tel.: (+6592) 2150, Fax: (+6592) 2937 Secretary: Dr. Wolfgang R. Dick, Institut fuer Angewandte Geodaesie, Aussenstelle Potsdam, Postfach 60 08 08, D-14408 Potsdam, Germany, Tel.: (+331) 316 619, E-mail: wdi@potsdam.ifag.de Treasurer: Dr. Reinhard Schielicke, Universitaetssternwarte, Schillergaesschen 2, D-07745 Jena, Tel.: (+3641) 63 03 36, E-mail: schie@georg.astro.uni-jena.de Secretary for Public Relations: Dr. Gudrun Wolfschmidt, Deutsches Museum, Museumsinsel 1, D-80538 Muenchen, Germany, Tel.: (+89) 2179 277, Fax: (+89) 2179 324, E-mail: t7911ac@sunmail.lrz-muenchen.de Bank Acct. of the Working Group of the Astronomische Gesellschaft: Acct # 333 410 41, Sparkasse Bochum (BLZ 430 500 01) Contributions from foreign countries to: acct # 162 18-203, Postgiroamt Hamburg, BLZ 200 400 20 Please sign all payments with: "Fuer Arbeitskreis Astronomiegeschichte" ***************************************************************************