Virtual Book Talk | The Human Cosmos: A Secret History of the Stars

19-23 Beacon Street, Boston MA

26 January, 2021

12:00 PM

Description

Book Talk: The Human Cosmos: Civilization and the Stars with Jo Marchant For most of human history, we have led not just an earthly existence but a cosmic one. Celestial cycles drove every aspect of our daily lives. Our innate relationship with the stars shaped who we are—our religious beliefs, power structures, scientific advances, and even our biology. But over the last few centuries we have separated ourselves from the universe that surrounds us. And that disconnect comes at a cost. In The Human Cosmos, Jo Marchant takes us on a tour through the history of humanity's relationship with the heavens. We travel to the Hall of the Bulls in Lascaux and witness the winter solstice at a 5,000-year-old tomb at Newgrange. We visit Medieval monks grappling with the nature of time and Tahitian sailors navigating by the stars. We discover how light reveals the chemical composition of the sun, and we are with Einstein as he works out that space and time are one and the same. And we find out why stargazing can be really, really good for us. It is time for us to rediscover the full potential of the universe we inhabit, its wonder, its effect on our health, and its potential for inspiration and revelation. To register, visit: https://bbd.bostonathenaeum.org/register When: Tuesday, Jan 26, 2021 12:00p - 1:00p Where: Boston Athenæum 10 1/2 Beacon Street Boston, Massachusetts 02108 Admission: $5 Categories: Art, History, Lectures & Conferences, Meetup, Virtual & Streaming Event website: https://www.bostonathenaeum.org/events/7297/virtual-event-book-talk-human-cosmos-secret-history-stars