Jim O’Connor: Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association, cultural historian
Wednesday, November 13, 2024,
2:30pm – 3:30pm,
ASA Koffler Great Room ASA and Zoom
In 1054 AD a stunning new star suddenly appeared in the night sky. It became bright enough to see in the daytime sky for over two weeks. Yet, surprisingly, the only records of its appearance are from the Chinese and the Ancestral Puebloan people of the southwestern United States.
The pictographs and oral history of this supernova and other celestial events indicate a strong ancient knowledge of and cultural connection with the night sky. While both Indigenous and Western astronomy study the celestial bodies, the key difference lies in how they interpret and integrate celestial phenomena with their respective cultures. Jim O’Connor will explore how Navajo, Apache, and O’odham, as well as other Indigenous cultures, experience a spiritual force linking them directly to their Creator through nature. It is in nature that the Creator makes known the knowledge necessary to coexist in the living world. The responsibility to receive this knowledge is to be ready to see and hear what nature is offering and to keep the mind open to adjust to the expansion of that knowledge.
Jim retired from the USAF as an interpreter, aircraft accident investigator, combat rescue aircraft manager, and Assistant Professor of Aeronautics at the United States Air Force Academy. He had been test director for Iridium Satellites and then with Raytheon as a Senior Principal Systems Engineer.
For years Jim has been interested in astronomy public outreach, education, and its scientific and cultural history and has participated in and organized events at numerous venues including school science nights, local, state, and national parks, and the annual Grand Canyon Star Party, where he was the South Rim Coordinator from 2010-2012. In addition to several public events each month, he has periodically taught Introduction to Astronomy and How Telescopes Work adult education classes through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute for the University of Arizona.
Compiled by Bob Foucault, Academy Village Volunteer
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