Islands of Astronomy
A global review of islands and their connections with astronomy throughout history up to the contemporary times suggests eight compelling, distinct yet interlocking reasons why islands have been and remain so important to astronomy and astronomers. Islands constitute favourable locations for various...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Island Studies Journal
2009-05-01
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| Series: | Island Studies Journal |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.24043/isj.229 |
| _version_ | 1797799270950109184 |
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| author | Godfrey Baldacchino Alexander Gatt |
| author_facet | Godfrey Baldacchino Alexander Gatt |
| author_sort | Godfrey Baldacchino |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | A global review of islands and their connections with astronomy throughout history up to the contemporary times suggests eight compelling, distinct yet interlocking reasons why islands have been and remain so important to astronomy and astronomers. Islands constitute favourable locations for various types of astronomyrelated activities: from tracking satellites and monitoring significant celestial events, to providing exceptional locations to jurisdictions with mandated dark and unpolluted skies. They appeal for their favourable longitude and (especially southern) latitude, as well as for their disposition towards the conditions that the scientific community may expect in an ideal world: relatively clear viewing conditions from a secure, selfcontained platform that is, however, endowed with connectivity. This article is written as a contribution to the International Year of Astronomy (2009). |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-13T04:17:26Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-251fe5ff3cd7497280f9be481b3a5ae9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1715-2593 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-13T04:17:26Z |
| publishDate | 2009-05-01 |
| publisher | Island Studies Journal |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Island Studies Journal |
| spelling | doaj.art-251fe5ff3cd7497280f9be481b3a5ae92023-06-20T23:55:02ZengIsland Studies JournalIsland Studies Journal1715-25932009-05-0141Islands of AstronomyGodfrey BaldacchinoAlexander GattA global review of islands and their connections with astronomy throughout history up to the contemporary times suggests eight compelling, distinct yet interlocking reasons why islands have been and remain so important to astronomy and astronomers. Islands constitute favourable locations for various types of astronomyrelated activities: from tracking satellites and monitoring significant celestial events, to providing exceptional locations to jurisdictions with mandated dark and unpolluted skies. They appeal for their favourable longitude and (especially southern) latitude, as well as for their disposition towards the conditions that the scientific community may expect in an ideal world: relatively clear viewing conditions from a secure, selfcontained platform that is, however, endowed with connectivity. This article is written as a contribution to the International Year of Astronomy (2009).https://doi.org/10.24043/isj.229 |
| spellingShingle | Godfrey Baldacchino Alexander Gatt Islands of Astronomy Island Studies Journal |
| title | Islands of Astronomy |
| title_full | Islands of Astronomy |
| title_fullStr | Islands of Astronomy |
| title_full_unstemmed | Islands of Astronomy |
| title_short | Islands of Astronomy |
| title_sort | islands of astronomy |
| url | https://doi.org/10.24043/isj.229 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT godfreybaldacchino islandsofastronomy AT alexandergatt islandsofastronomy |