The Antikythera Mechanism In Action
Posted by Ross Rosenberg
The Antikythera mechanism has fascinated both scientists and people with a singular obsession with brass and the idea that aliens held architectural design workshops for the ancient Egyptians, since its discovery in 1901 in a wreck off the Greek island of Antikythera, between Kythera and Crete. Dated to about 150–100 BC, the mechanism has been described as the first mechanical computer, and calculated the position of the Sun, Moon, and other astronomical information such as the location of other planets as well as allowing for rudimentary spreadsheets and solitaire.
Here Michael Wright, of the Imperial College London and noted Antikythera devotee, demonstrates his working model of the mechanism, gleaned from years of study and x-ray imaging. It should be noted that Wright was unable to reconcile all of the known gears found in the mechanism. Solitaire enthusiasts take heart, for Wright remains on the case with the help of The Antikythera Mechanism Research Project.
Antikythera mechanism working model.mov [YouTube]
Categories: Asteriskpunk, Astronomy, Science, Secrets, Technology
Posted at 11:29 am on December 18, 2008
10 Comments -
http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=EzeY4ixhiP8
Comment by eric — December 18, 2008 @ 3:19 pm
Yes! Antikythera! Can’t wait to watch this from the comfort of my lair.
Comment by meatbagwtf — December 18, 2008 @ 6:21 pm
Man, I’ve been seeing information about this everywhere the last couple of days! It’s pretty damned cool, too.
Comment by annemjw — December 18, 2008 @ 6:49 pm
It was everything I had hoped for, complete with British-accented “Jo”. Ancient maritime navigation FTW!
I am reminded of the Roman Empire-era shipwreck found off the coast of Brazil.
Comment by meatbagwtf — December 18, 2008 @ 8:50 pm
Very cool! Amazing how he reconstructed it so precisely.
Comment by Rhadaman — December 19, 2008 @ 12:27 am
They still haven’t reconstructed the gears to show when the Stars are Right.
Comment by Freddie Freelance — December 19, 2008 @ 4:40 pm
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Comment by geonipe — September 3, 2009 @ 5:28 pm