More Like this

1. A Newly Documented Whole‑Sky Circumpolar Constellation in Alaskan Gwich’in

   Cannon, Chris; Holton, Gary (January 2014, Arctic anthropology)

   Traditional approaches to the documentation of indigenous astronomical knowledge often assume a one-to-one or near one-to-one correspondence between indigenous and classical constellation terms. Only a single constellation, equated with the Big Dipper, is robustly attested across the Northern Dene languages. Here we provide evidence from Gwich’in (Dene) that shows that the equation of this single Gwich’in constellation with the classical constellation is only partial. The Gwich’in constellation yahdii is actually a whole-sky constellation that maps nearly the entire sky. The Big Dipper is the tail of yahdii, and the remaining stars in the constellation are identified by other Gwich’in body-part terms, forming a unified functional conceptualization of the sky. Our work demonstrates how observational and cultural biases can prejudice the description of cultural astronomy. Dene astronomy is much richer than has been previously claimed and provides the first well-documented indigenous example of a whole-sky constellation. 

   more » « less
2. Ensemble‐Based Assimilation of Satellite All‐Sky Microwave Radiances Improves Intensity and Rainfall Predictions for Hurricane Harvey (2017)

   https://doi.org/10.1029/2021GL096410  

   Zhang, Yunji; Sieron, Scott B.; Lu, Yinghui; Chen, Xingchao; Nystrom, Robert G.; Minamide, Masashi; Chan, Man‐Yau; Hartman, Christopher M.; Yao, Zhu; Ruppert, Jr., James H.; et al (December 2021, Geophysical Research Letters)

   Abstract Ensemble‐based data assimilation of radar observations across inner‐core regions of tropical cyclones (TCs) in tandem with satellite all‐sky infrared (IR) radiances across the TC domain improves TC track and intensity forecasts. This study further investigates potential enhancements in TC track, intensity, and rainfall forecasts via assimilation of all‐sky microwave (MW) radiances using Hurricane Harvey (2017) as an example. Assimilating Global Precipitation Measurement constellation all‐sky MW radiances in addition to GOES‐16 all‐sky IR radiances reduces the forecast errors in the TC track, rapid intensification (RI), and peak intensity compared to assimilating all‐sky IR radiances alone, including a 24‐hr increase in forecast lead‐time for RI. Assimilating all‐sky MW radiances also improves Harvey's hydrometeor fields, which leads to improved forecasts of rainfall after Harvey's landfall. This study indicates that avenues exist for producing more accurate forecasts for TCs using available yet underutilized data, leading to better warnings of and preparedness for TC‐associated hazards in the future. 

   more » « less
3. The Resilience of Dene Generative Geography, Considering "the Nen' Yese' Ensemble."

   Kari, James (October 2019, Alaska journal of anthropology)

   ¶Kari 2019 introduces a theory of Na-Dene prehistory, "the Proto-Dene Lex Loci" that derives from Lexware dictionary files and cumulative place name for seven adjacent Alaska Dene languages. To investigate Dene prehistory in the Copper River and circum–Glacial Lake Atna (GLA) region, we discuss a selection of 67 Dene place names from seven Dene languages in four Alaska river basins. Dene geolinguistic data are information-rich; highly noticeable are various watershed tenure devices (hydronymic districts, patterned duplications, geoduplicates) that reflect ancient Dene vernacular collaborations to facilitate landscape recognition. ¶As few as three Dene place names establish that the Dene occupation of Tanana River preceded the initial Dene names in the Copper River Basin. A group of about 20 Ahtna names termed "the Nen’ Yese’ Ensemble (NYE)" are overtly descriptive of the geology and hydrology at the Tyone Spillway. One subset of 9 to 10 names plausibly were coined during "a first season on the NYE" (starting at Hogan Hill, K'ey Tsaaygha). Another subgroup of 11 names has four pairs of patterned duplications that indicate spatial-temporal seriation. Plausibly this group of names were coined prior to, during, and after the names of the NYE (11,000 to 9000 years ago) in the time frame of major GLA drainage shift. As geological, paleo-ecological records for GLA become refined, geo-temporal benchmarks may be attainable. Alaska Dene geolinguistic data sets can broaden discussions of Alaska and Beringian prehistory as well as theories of language change. 

   more » « less
4. MITIGATING SATELLITE CONSTELLATION IMPACTS ON ASTRONOMY

   Eggl, S; Peel, M; Rawls, ML; Walker, CE (May 2025, European Space Agency Space Debris Office)

   Lemmens, S; Flohrer, T; Schmitz, F (Ed.)

   The protection of the dark and (radio) quiet sky is a key aspect of the European Space Agency Zero Debris Charter. The International Astronomical Union Centre for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky from Satellite Constellation Interference (IAU CPS) is one of the partners working to develop and implement technical and policy recommendations. In this contribution, we summarize and discuss existing recommendations and guidelines that are aimed at enabling the coexistence of satellite constellations and ground based astronomy. Many individuals and groups, including astronomers and industry partners, are working on strategies for more effectively sharing access to space. As a result, the IAU CPS recommendations touch on a variety of subjects ranging from satellite constellation design, to operational modes, to establishing standards for information sharing. The IAU CPS uniquely enables development of publicly accessible tools and services alongside these recommendations, and we endeavor to engage all parties in an open and constructive manner. 

   more » « less
5. Tracing the Movement of Knowledge across Vast Distances and Long Temporal Spans

   https://doi.org/10.3167/TRANS.2019.090106  

   Smith, Pamela H. (June 2019, Transfers)

   A research group at the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science on “Itineraries of Materials, Recipes, Techniques, and Knowledge in the Early Modern World” held a series of workshops (2014–2015) on the movement of knowledge(materials, techniques, objects) across Eurasia, resulting in an edited volume. Participants articulated a framework of “entangled itineraries,” “material complexes,” and “nodes of convergence” by which historians might follow routes ofknowledge-making extending over very long distances and/or great spans of time. The key concepts are (1) “material complex” denoting the constellation of substances, practices, techniques, beliefs, and values that accrete as knowledge around materials; (2) the “relational field,” the social, intellectual, economic, emotional domain formed by a “node of convergence”—often a hub of trade and exchange—within which a material complex crystalizes; and (3) “itineraries,” or the routes taken by materials through which they stabilize and/ or transform. 

   more » « less