Overview
- Provides a unique account of the construction of Britain's first stone circle for over 3000 years by its builder
- Charts the development of the Parks Department Astronomy Project with a fascinating look into its historical background
- Includes enough background for a new reader with specific interest in archaeoastronomy to become engaged
- Illustrates ancient history and astronomy by giving a firsthand account of a megalith construction
Part of the book series: Astronomers' Universe (ASTRONOM)
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Table of contents (10 chapters)
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Front Matter
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Background to the Controversy
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Front Matter
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A Stone Circle for Glasgow
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Front Matter
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Back Matter
Keywords
About this book
Observations at the site of the stone circles, of solar, lunar, and stellar events, have already cast light on some of the questions about the construction and use of ancient megalithic observatories.
In his capacity as manager of the Parks Department Astronomy Project, author Duncan Lunan designed and built the first astronomically aligned stone circle in Britain in over 3,000 years. 'The Stones and the Stars' examines the case for astronomical alignments of stone circles, and charts the development of a fascinating project with a strong scientific and historical background. The work was documented in detail by the artist and photographer Gavin Roberts, and this archive has been added to since -Â so an appropriate selection of illustrations will bring the project vividly to life.
Authors and Affiliations
About the author
Duncan Lunan was born in Edinburgh in 1945 and educated at Marr College, Troon, and at Glasgow University, gaining an M.A. (Honors) in English and Philosophy, with Physics and Astronomy as supporting subjects. He holds a postgraduate Diploma in Education.Â
He has been President of the Association in Scotland into Astronautics (ASTRA), three times, and has also been Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer at various times during 47 years on the society's Council; he has been on the exhibitions and publications committees since 1970 and was the Assistant Curator of Airdrie Public Observatory 1987-97, again 2003-2008. With his wife Linda, they launched a new organization to support newcomers to astronomy, 'Astronomers of the Future.'
In 1978-79, as Manager of the Glasgow Parks Department Astronomy Project, he designed and built the first megalithic observatory in Britain for 3,000 years; in 1990-91 he was photo archivist for the Press Centre during Glasgow's year as European City of Culture. In 2006-2008 he was manager of the North Lanarkshire Astronomy Project, organizing nearly 700 events including more than 450 school visits, and otherwise has been a full time writer since 1970.
BY THE SAME AUTHOR
Man and the Stars
New Worlds for Old
(Edited) Starfield, science fiction by Scottish writers
(Fiction) With Time Comes Concord and Other Stories
Children from the Sky: a Speculative Treatment of a Mediaeval Mystery
Incoming Asteroid! (book coming next year)
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: The Stones and the Stars
Book Subtitle: Building Scotland's Newest Megalith
Authors: Duncan Lunan
Series Title: Astronomers' Universe
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5354-3
Publisher: Springer New York, NY
eBook Packages: Physics and Astronomy, Physics and Astronomy (R0)
Copyright Information: Springer Science+Business Media New York 2013
Softcover ISBN: 978-1-4614-5353-6Published: 22 November 2012
eBook ISBN: 978-1-4614-5354-3Published: 28 November 2012
Series ISSN: 1614-659X
Series E-ISSN: 2197-6651
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: XIX, 325
Number of Illustrations: 76 b/w illustrations, 114 illustrations in colour
Topics: Astronomy, Observations and Techniques, Popular Science in Astronomy, Cultural Heritage, Geology, Archaeology