This book illuminates a few highly significant events in history in which astronomers have helped keep contacts between astronomers of different states in moments of international political tensions or even crises. The chapters, written by 20 international authors, focus on four periods where astronomers were particularly active in international relations:
1. The WWI period, the epoch of the creation of the IAU, in the context of the simultaneous creation of other scientific unions. The book also singles out the important role of A.S. Eddington and his network “across forbidden borders”.
2. The Cold war period and its consequences, when several countries were divided between opposite blocs. “The China crisis” is told here from different viewpoints by Chinese astronomers, both from the mainland and from Taiwan, in parallel with the evolution of astronomy in South and North Korea. Germany’s twisted path in its membership of the IAU, from its admission in 1951 to its reunification in 1991 is shown as another example.
3. The book then highlights a third period, when radio astronomers, in particular, were very active in “building bridges” between East and West. It also tells the history of how the apparently innocuous issue of the “lunar nomenclature” became extremely sensitive. The part ends on two chapters on Russian robotic missions and lunar surface features as well on the Russian participation in the “International Virtual Observatory” project.
4. The fourth part reports for the first time on the “hidden story” of the relations between the IAU and the United Nations after the “Moon race” when the United Nations decided to challenge the IAU’s authority on “extraterrestrial names”. The final chapter reviews how twenty years later UNESCO and the IAU had become strong partners in the difficult, but highly successful organization of the International Year of Astronomy (2002-2009), and of the “Astronomy and World Heritage” intitiative (2008).
Author(s): Thierry Montmerle, Danielle Fauque
Series: Historical & Cultural Astronomy
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 523
City: Cham
Foreword
Preface
Astronomers and a Century of Building a Community Worldwide in Spite of Wars and Revolutions
The Historical Context
Celebrating the IAU Centenary
Outline of the Book
Part I: The Creation of the IAU and the Aftermath of WWI
Part II: After WWII: Divided Countries
Part III: During and After the Cold War
Part IV: The IAU, the United Nations, and UNESCO
References
Acknowledgements
Contents
Part I The Creation of the IAU and the Aftermath of WWI
1 Precursors to IAU: Paris Observatory and the Carte du CielProject
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Preliminary Actions
1.3 In Search of Other Partners
1.4 The First Astrographic Congress (1887)
1.5 A Double Project: Chart and Catalogue
1.6 Work Plan and Guidelines
1.7 Nationalism and Financial Interests
1.8 Communication Strategies and Protectionism
1.9 Criticism, Disagreement, Competition
1.10 Desertions and Replacements
1.11 The Establishment of a Central Bureau for Measurements
1.12 The Fragmentation of the Project
1.13 Actions of the IAU
1.14 Later Issues
1.15 Concluding Remarks
Appendix A
Appendix B
Geopolitical map of the Carte du Ciel project: nations, regencies, observatories involved in the photographic work (Fig. 1.17)
Appendix C
Summary of the main Carte du Ciel costs
Appendix D
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Bibliography
2 The Foundation of the Bureau International de l'Heure
2.1 The Determination of Time at the Beginning of the Twentieth Century
2.1.1 From Apparent Solar Time to Universal Time
2.1.2 Astronomical Determinations of Time and Time-Keepers
2.2 The International Context (1875–1912)
2.2.1 The Metre Convention (Paris 1875): A Model for the International Organization on Time
2.2.2 The International Meridian Conference (Washington, 1884) and the Definition of Universal Time
2.2.3 The International Latitude Service (ILS) (1899) to Monitor Polar Motion and Improve the Determination of Astronomical Time
2.2.4 The International Radiotelegraph Convention (1903–1912): Essential Regulations for the Unification of Time
2.3 The International Organization of Time (1910–1913)
2.3.1 The First Step in the Foundation of the BIH
2.3.1.1 The Beginning of the Worldwide Unification of Time
2.3.1.2 Gustave Ferrié and Its Prominent Role for the Unification of Time and Longitudes
2.3.1.3 Preparation of the International Conference on Time by the Bureau des Longitudes
2.3.2 The First International Conference on Time: Paris, October 15–23, 1912
2.3.2.1 The Work of the Conference
2.3.2.2 The Recommendations of the Conference
2.3.2.3 Preparation of Draft Statutes for the Time Commission
2.3.3 The Second International Conference on Time: ``Conférence Diplomatique'' (Paris, 20–26 October 1913)
2.3.3.1 The Work of the Conference
2.3.3.2 Procès-verbal de Signature: Signature Minutes
2.3.3.3 L'Association Internationale de l'Heure (The International Time Association)
2.4 The ``Non-Official'' BIH at Paris Observatory (1912–1919)
2.4.1 The BIH During the Period 1912–1919
2.4.2 BIH Instruments for Time Measurements and Time Diffusion
2.5 The Official Foundation of the BIH Under the Auspices of the IAU (July 1919)
2.5.1 The ``Commission de l'heure'' (Time Commission) of the IAU
2.5.2 Regulations of the International Time Commission
2.5.3 Benjamin Baillaud and the Bureau International de l'Heure
2.5.4 The Funding of the BIH
2.6 Conclusion
References
3 A Hundred Years Ago: The Birth of the IAU as a Model for Other Scientific Unions (1919)
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Science in the Shadow of War
3.3 An Interallied Affair
3.4 The First Interallied Conference. London, 9–11 October 1918
3.5 Preparing for Paris. From Principles to Practice
3.6 Second Interallied Conference. Paris, 26–29 November 1918
3.7 Preparing for Brussels
3.8 Third Interallied Conference. Brussels, 18–28 July 1919
3.9 Conclusion
Appendix 1
Countries Represented at the Interallied Conferences (1918–1919)
Sources
Appendix 2
Appendix 3
Appendix 4
Appendix 5
Acronyms used in the text
Bibliography
Archives
Printed Sources
4 Crossing Forbidden Borders After WWI
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Background: England Between 1916 and 1918
4.3 The International Research Council and the International Astronomical Union (1918–1919)
4.4 The General Theory of Relativity (1919–1920)
4.5 The IAU General Assembly in Rome and the RAS Centenary (1922)
4.6 From the Cambridge General Assembly to the Leiden General Assembly (1925–1928)
References
Part II After WWII: Divided Countries
5 The China Crisis
5.1 The Entry and Early Involvement of China with the Union
5.2 The Conflict and the Withdrawal of China from the Union
5.3 The Return of China
References
6 When China Left the IAU: A Reappraisal
6.1 Introduction
6.2 China and the IAU: Together Since 1935
6.3 Enter Taiwan: Coup de théâtre in Moscow
6.4 After Moscow: Preparing for the Next Executive Committee Meeting
6.5 The Difficult Decision: Hertsmonceux, 1959
6.6 The Withdrawal of China
6.7 Ratification at Berkeley
6.8 Conclusions: Science and Politics in the Time of the Cold War
References
“IAU Transactions”
Books
Articles
7 The Prominent Chinese Astronomer and ''=1Father of Modern Chinese Astronomy''=1: Zhang Yuzhe
7.1 A Gifted Student and His Driven Objective to Study in the USA
7.2 Moving to the USA and First Steps in Astronomy
7.3 Back to the Motherland: Love and Science in Wartime
7.4 Returning to Yerkes and Befriending Famous Astronomers
7.5 Chinese Astronomy in the People's Republic: The Pioneering Days
7.6 Building a New Generation of Chinese Astronomers
7.7 The Hard Times of the Cultural Revolution
7.8 Leaving the IAU for Twenty Years
7.9 Building the Future
References
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8 Personal Recollectionsof W.N. Christiansen and the Early Days of Chinese Radio Astronomy
8.1 Prologue: A Brief Biography of theYoung Wang Shouguan (1923–1953)
8.2 Foreword
8.3 Recollections of the Shahe Experiment
8.4 The Making of the Miyun Meter Wave Aperture Synthesis Telescope
8.5 Prof Ke and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)
8.6 Concluding Remarks
References
9 Birth and Development of Astronomy on the Island of Taiwan
9.1 Astronomical Observation Records in Taiwan Before the Twentieth Century
9.2 Astronomical Development in Taiwan During the Japanese Occupation Period (1895–1945)
9.3 The Development of Astronomy in Taiwan After World War II
9.4 The Chinese Astronomical Society Resumes Its Activities in Taiwan and Joins the International Astronomical Union (IAU)
9.5 The Rapid Development of Astronomy in Taiwan After 1990
9.6 Conclusions
References
10 Development of Astronomy in the Korean Peninsula
10.1 Astronomy in Ancient Korea
10.2 Shutting Down of the Royal Observatory and the Dark Age (1910–1945)
10.3 University Education and Foundation of the Korean Astronomical Society After the Liberation (1945–1967)
10.4 First Contacts Between North and South Korean Astronomers, and the IAU
10.5 The Founding of the National Astronomical Observatory
10.6 Current Status of Astronomy in North Korea
10.7 Concluding Remarks
References
11 Germany's Difficulties in Becoming a Member of the IAU
11.1 Problems Caused by the First Statutes of the IAU of 1919
11.2 Problems Within Germany
11.3 The Astronomische Gesellschaft (AG)
11.4 Steps of the IAU Toward a German Participation
11.5 Steps of Germany Toward an IAU Membership
11.6 Germany's Statement at the IAU General Assembly 1932 at Cambridge (USA)
11.7 The Period from 1933 to 1939
11.8 Solution After World War II
11.9 Problem During the Cold War Period
11.10 Final Solution Since 1990
11.11 Conclusion
Addendum
References
Part III During and After the Cold War
12 Building International Bridges with Astronomy
12.1 Introduction
12.2 Radio Astronomers Bridging the “Iron Curtain”
12.3 Radio Astronomers Bridging the “Bamboo Curtain”
12.4 Astronomers Bridging the 38th Parallel: Returning North Korea to the IAU Family
12.5 Concluding Remarks
References
13 From Luna-3 to Apollo: The IAU and the “New Moon”
13.1 Introduction: The Luna-3 Flyby and the Soviet Challenge to the IAU
13.2 The Moon Race and the Need for Lunar “Travel Guides”
13.3 The Zond-3 Naming Conflict with the Soviet Academy
13.4 The Apollo-8 Public Naming Crisis
13.5 The Problem of Honoring Astronauts and Cosmonauts
13.6 The Perilous Road to Sydney
13.7 Civil War
13.8 NASA Comes to the Rescue
13.9 Epilog
References
14 After the Moon Race: Russian Robotic Missions and Lunar Surface Features
14.1 Introduction
14.2 Soviet Robotic Missions
14.3 Astronomers as Diplomats: A Personal View
14.4 Conclusions
References
15 The International Virtual Observatory: The Result of Joint Efforts, Coordination, and Diplomacy
15.1 Astronomical Data: Catalogs, Databases
15.2 The Centre de Données Stellaires and Its Branches for Collecting Astronomical Catalogs
15.3 From Glass Libraries to Digital Databases
15.4 Archives of Glass Plate Libraries: Part of the UNESCO World Astronomical Heritage?
15.5 The Activities of IAU Commission 5
15.6 The International Virtual Observatory
15.7 Today: The IVO Alliance
15.8 The Russian Virtual Observatory (RVO): The First Decade
15.9 Conclusion
References
Part IV The IAU, the United Nations, and UNESCO
16 What's in a name? When the UN Challenged the IAU (1971 –1982), a Hidden Story
16.1 Act I: The UN Enters the Field of Naming Celestial Objects.
16.2 Background: UN, IAU and “Extraterrestrial” Nomenclature Problems
16.3 The “Small Lunar Crater” Naming Conundrum
16.4 A Growing Tension between the UNWG and the WGLN
16.5 The London Conference: Backstage
16.6 The IAU Fights Back
16.7 Act II: The Post-Apollo, “Planetary” Era
16.8 Conclusion: The End of a Major Challenge Over the Authority of the IAU
Appendix 1
Appendix 1
Appendix 2
Appendix 2
References
17 Diplomacy with the United Nations: Preparing for the International Year of Astronomy
17.1 The Launch of an Idea
17.2 UNESCO Becomes Involved
17.3 Lobbying for the International Year of Astronomy
17.4 The Crisis
17.5 The Recovery
17.6 Going to New York
17.7 Lessons Learned
17.8 UNESCO-IAU: Continuation of the Relationship
References
18 The IAU-UNESCO “Astronomy and World Heritage Initiative” and the Pic du Midi Observatory
18.1 Before the AWHI: The Struve Geodetic Arc, World Heritage, and the IAU
18.2 The UNESCO–IAU Astronomy and World Heritage Initiative
18.2.1 Achievements of the AWHI
18.3 Pic du Midi Observatory
18.4 Conclusion
References
Index
