Headline, August 18 2024/ HISTORY : ''' ANOLOG COMPUTER ANODYNE '''

 

HISTORY : 

''' ANOLOG COMPUTER 

ANODYNE '''

ANCIENT COMPUTER PRODUCES A NEW PUZZLE: Apparent redundancy challenges theories about Antikythera mechanism.

THE ANTIKYTHERA MECHANISM - AN INGENIOUS CALCULATOR made 2,200 years ago, has inspired awe and enchantment ever since it was recovered from a shipwreck near a Greek island in 1901.

Generations of researchers have unraveled many mysteries about the device, which is often described as the world's '' first analog computer '' though much remains unknown.

A study published in the Horological Journal challenges a core assumption about the mechanism that could upend understanding of the complex timepiece's form and function.

But rather than using standard tools of archaeology, the scientists reached the conclusions by drawing from the methods of gravitational wave astronomy, a field that tunes into subtle ripples in spacetime that result from cosmic disruptions.

Graham Woan, a professor of astrophysics at the University of Glasgow, and Joseph Bayley, a research associate there, said that the mechanism's calendar ring, a circular feature that survived only in fragments, had once contained 354 holes, which correspond to a lunar calendar of 354 days.

That result conflicts with earlier research that identified the ring as a solar calendar lined with 365 holes.

'' It's a slightly contentious idea,'' said Dr. Wona, who acknowledged that he and Dr. Bayley are not experts on the device. '' However, the evidence is rather clear.''

If the calendar ring does represent a lunar year, it would invalidate current models of the mechanism. For that reason, some Antikythera scholars remain sceptical of the new study.

'' It's just wrong,'' said Tony Freeth, an honorary professor at University College London and an expert on the Antikythera mechanism. He noted that there was already a more precise lunar calendar, based on the 19-year Metonic cycle, embedded in the machinery.

'' Why put a second lunar calendar on the mechanism when you've already taken a lot of trouble to construct a lunar calendar of great accuracy and sophistication? '' Dr. Freeth said.

The Antikythera mechanism is no stranger to controversy and speculation, in part because it was so ahead of its time in the second century B.C. Its intricate mesh of gears, dials and plates produced a model of the cosmos tracked cycles of the moon, the sun, the planets and constellations.

While also predicting eclipses and making the timing of athletic games, such as the ancient Olympics. The artifact also inspired the titular '' dial of destiny'' in the latest Indiana Jones movie.

For decades, researchers have viewed the calendar ring as a solution to mathematically finicky solar year, which lasts 365.24 days. Just as leap years are built into our calendars, the roles in the ring allowed it to be manually rotated by one day every four years so it didn't drift off track.

The solar model was first called into question in a 2020 study by a team of researchers and enthusiasts. By analyzing X-ray images of the mechanism's remaining holes, the study claimed to '' displace the century-long assumption of a 365-day calendar on the Antikythera mechanism, proposing instead that it is a 354-day lunar calendar.''

Dr. Woan and Bayley thought that the methods they were using to analyze gravitational waves could place tighter constraints on the original number of holes.

'' It's such a well-defined and clear problem that we couldn't resist analyzing it in the same way as we would analyze an astronomical problem,'' Dr. Wuan said.

The Honour and Serving of the Latest Global Operational Research on ancient computers and Antikythera mechanism continues. The World Students Society thanks Becky Ferreira.

With most respectful dedication to the Global Founder Framers of The World Students Society, and then Research Scientists, Students, Professors and Teachers of the world.

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