Ancient star chart from Nara tomb sees light of day—briefly

[yuiyoshida]

ASUKA, Nara Prefecture--The world's oldest existing depiction of celestial bodies was shown to the media June 10 for the first time since the star chart was removed from a tomb built here about 1,400 years ago.

The map was gingerly removed from the Kitora Tomb in 2008 to undergo restoration.

It features dozens of constellations in which the stars are depicted with gold leaf. Four circles and lines linking stars are drawn in vermillion. It has a diameter of 60 centimeters.

The Cultural Affairs Agency removed the star chart from the ceiling of the tomb's stone chamber after cutting it up into 113 sections. The repair work is now in the final phase.

The Kitora Tomb, which is designated by the government as a special historic site, is believed to have been constructed between the late seventh century to early eighth century.

http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/photo/AS20160611002488.html

[jtuck004]

1. And today we are trying to make that chart unnecessary...

Soon, no stars. Then no problem.

One-third of the world cannot see the Milky Way -- why that matters


(CNN)If you look up at the evening sky, there's a good chance you will not be able to see what your grandmother saw when she was a little girl.

That's because we're enshrouded in an artificial haze of light that is blocking the night sky, a phenomenon scientists call light pollution

Scientists believe one-third of humanity cannot view the Milky Way — this includes 80% of Americans and 60% of Europeans because city lights are creating fogs of light pollution, according to a new study that published Friday in the journal of Science Advances.
...

http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/11/health/light-pollution-atlas-milky-way-irpt/index.html



Thank you for that. Would have been cool to see what they saw.