Donald Olson (astronomer): Difference between revisions
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Revision as of 23:03, 9 June 2022
Donald W. Olson is an astrophysicist and forensic astronomer at the Texas State University. Nicknamed the "Celestial Sleuth," he is known for studying art and history using astronomical data.[1]
Career
Olson began his career studying the theory of relativity and creating computer simulations of astronomical phenomena such as the distribution of galaxies or radiation near black holes.[2] He became well known for his work in the field of forensic astronomy, often in collaboration with fellow astrophysicist Russell Doescher. Their work has also studied how astronomy has impacted events such as battles and historical decisions.[3]
In 2004, he and Doescher suggested that the traditionally accepted date for the Battle of Marathon was incorrect, taking place on August 12, rather than the traditionally accepted date of September 12.[4][5] In 2008, he and Doescher published a paper claiming to have found the precise date and location of Julius Caesar's landing in Britain.[6]
He has authored papers on historically significant astronomical events such as the 1913 Great Meteor Procession.[7] He has also studied the astronomical conditions which inspired unusual paintings and photographs by artists such as Johannes Vermeer, Edvard Munch,[7] Claude Monet,[8] and Ansel Adams,[9] as well as exactly when they would have been created.[10] Other research has studied descriptions of astronomical phenomena in literary works like The Canterbury Tales or Childe Harold's Pilgrimage.[11]
He wrote the book Celestial Sleuth, which was published by Springer in 2014. The book explores the historical significance of astronomical phenomena in world history, as well as analyzing historical descriptions of astronomical events.[12]
He has criticized some archaeoastronomical theories, such as the idea that the Norse myth of Ragnarök was inspired by the Hyades star cluster.[13]
References
- ^ Blaschke, Jayme; University, Texas State. "'Celestial sleuth' sheds new light on Vermeer's masterpiece 'View of Delft'". phys.org. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
- ^ Magazine, Smithsonian. "Forensic Astronomer Solves Fine Arts Puzzles". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
- ^ published, Mike Wall (2019-06-06). "How Astronomy Helped Turn the Tide for the Allies on D-Day". Space.com. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
- ^ Peplow, Mark (2004-07-19). "Battle of Marathon date revised". Nature: news040719–1. doi:10.1038/news040719-1. ISSN 0028-0836.
- ^ "Scientists turn up the heat on Marathon's lunar mystery". the Guardian. 2004-07-19. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
- ^ "New Date for Caesar's British Invasion". Sky & Telescope. 2008-06-25. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
- ^ a b Ouellette, Jennifer. "Forensic Astronomer Cracks the Case of Historic Meteor Procession". Scientific American Blog Network. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
- ^ published, Megan Gannon (2014-09-16). "Astronomy Detectives Reveal Origin of Monet's 'Impression' Painting". Space.com. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
- ^ Ash, Summer. "“Forensic Astronomy” Reveals the Secrets of an Iconic Ansel Adams Photo". Scientific American. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
- ^ Simons, Paul. "Astronomers can shed light on when a picture was painted". ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
- ^ Magazine, Smithsonian; Katz, Brigit. "Is Jupiter the "Star" in Lord Byron's Famous Poem?". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
- ^ Altschuler, Eric L. (2014-03-14). "Reading Clues in the Sky Celestial Sleuth Using Astronomy to Solve Mysteries in Art, History and Literature by Donald W. Olson Springer, New York, 2014. 373 pp. Paper, 39.99. ISBN 9781461484028. Springer-Praxis Books in Popular Astronomy". Science. 343 (6176): 1202–1202. doi:10.1126/science.1252465. ISSN 0036-8075.
- ^ Ouellette, Jennifer (2018-11-16). ""Wolf's jaw" star cluster may have inspired parts of Ragnarök myth". Ars Technica. Retrieved 2022-06-09.