Ancient Artifacts: The Mythological Heritage of Modern Astronomy
Astronomy is one of the oldest sciences, and studying it is like entering a ‘time capsule’ that reveals what was happening in the universe in the distant past. In this talk, we will explore a different time capsule: the mythological roots of modern astronomy. Although astronomical theories of the ancients have been largely discarded today, we still use many of their terms and terminology in everyday discourse about space. This is most evident in the names of planets, which have Greek and Roman origins, as well as the names of moons, asteroids, and craters. But there are numerous other mythological influences in modern astronomy that we will explore in detail.
If you are interested in mythology, astronomy, or simply enjoy fascinating historical connections, this talk is for you. I will present the material in an accessible manner, ensuring that people from all backgrounds can gain something valuable—whether it’s a renewed appreciation for astronomy, mythology, or the intricate ways human cultures have understood the cosmos.
About the Speaker:
Shahryar Khan is a graduate of physics from Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. His research interests range from cosmology to condensed matter physics to chaos theory. He is also deeply interested in pure mathematics, philosophy and artificial intelligence.
This session is free and open to all. Just visit the venue to attend it.
The Black Hole
Plot 5H, Street 100, G-11/3, Islamabad.
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