Welcome to 2009 – The International Year of Astronomy. I am having a tough time thinking of a subject with more intrigue, hope and optimism than Astronomy (star-gazing is such a romantic and ancient pastime), so this is a great match for humanity’s big, hope-filled year ahead…

‘English Galileo’ maps on display
By Christine McGourty
Science correspondent, BBC News


Experts hope the maps will give Thomas Harriot the credit he deserves
“Moon maps” created by a little-known Englishman 400 years ago are to go on display to mark the launch of the International Year of Astronomy.

Experts say they prove their creator – Thomas Harriot – beat Galileo to become the first man to view the Moon through a telescope.

The Italian philosopher is credited with the feat in December 1609.

But papers at the West Sussex Record Office show that Harriot drew images of the Moon several months earlier.

And Dr Allan Chapman, a science historian at Oxford University, said Harriot’s composite drawing of the Moon – produced in 1612 or 1613 – marked “the birth of modern cartography”.

“Thomas Harriot was not only the first person ever to draw an astronomical body with a telescope on 26 July 1609, he rapidly developed to become an absolutely superb lunar cartographer,” he said

“There weren’t equivalent lunar drawings to be done for another 30 years.

Sir Patrick Moore on British stargazer Thomas Harriot

“Tragically, no-one knew of it until relatively recent times, so Galileo gets all the credit.” [the rest]

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