The Staring Into Space project explores the way ancient and not-so-ancient people and cultures utilize and have utilized the night sky to do earth-based things. Agricultural calendars, celestial navigation, creation stories, divination: all of these and other intensive studies of the sky were the starting point for what would become science. Trying to understand what the Babylonians called "sky writing" led to the recognition of patterns of the movements of stars, planets, the sun and moon, and what ho civilization!
The project will proceed following George Saunders' idea of novel-writing: as a series of "yurts", self-contained stories that all interconnect in one way or another. Each story will be posted when I feel it has been sufficiently yurted.
The impetus for the project started with a volunteer project at the Smithsonian institution, where for six months, I transcribed the notes of the turn of the century astronomer Annie Jump Cannon. It was as if I was standing over her shoulder as she gazed through Harvard's telescope into deepening space. I am grateful to the Smithsonian, Ms. Cannon, and even he-who-shall-not-be-named, for shutting down the government in July 2025 and allowing me the time to chase down all these delicious rabbit holes.
The following are ready for their close ups.
Recommended (I couldn't do this any better)
I have lots of people to thank already: none of this is their fault, although they are enablers.
In case you're wondering, here is a brief biography of me and links to some of my work at Thoughtco.com, where I spent many years writing on myriad archaeological and historical topics. This website does not use advertising, nor does it track anything but numbers of pages read. No AI was used in the writing. Images used are fully credited.
Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Contact me at
The project will proceed following George Saunders' idea of novel-writing: as a series of "yurts", self-contained stories that all interconnect in one way or another. Each story will be posted when I feel it has been sufficiently yurted.
The impetus for the project started with a volunteer project at the Smithsonian institution, where for six months, I transcribed the notes of the turn of the century astronomer Annie Jump Cannon. It was as if I was standing over her shoulder as she gazed through Harvard's telescope into deepening space. I am grateful to the Smithsonian, Ms. Cannon, and even he-who-shall-not-be-named, for shutting down the government in July 2025 and allowing me the time to chase down all these delicious rabbit holes.
The following are ready for their close ups.
- Berossus - Babylonian Astronomer and Priest
- Temple of the Condor at Machu Picchu
- What is an Intihuatana?
- The Pleaides
- Maryam al-'Ijiliyah, 10th Century Astrolabe Maker
- Cataloging the Rescue of Science: Kitab Al-Fihrist, Part 1: History and Background
- Kitab al-Fihrist Part II: Dipping into History
- The Octagon Earthwork at Newark Ohio
Recommended (I couldn't do this any better)
- Why Your Zodiac Sign is Wrong Neil DeGrasse Tyson video explaining the ecliptic, declension, accession, etc., with comedian Chuck Nice. 13:54
I have lots of people to thank already: none of this is their fault, although they are enablers.
- The Iowa Office of the State Archaeologist, who hired me as an adjunct research associate and gave me greater access to the documents, is grandly represented in my gratitude journal: Cindy Peterson, John Doershuk, Bill Whittaker, and Elizabeth Reetz (doyenne of the archaeo-video)
- Steven R. Spangler, Professor Emeritus at the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Iowa, for clarifying things for me.
- Various and sundry family members, friends, and people unfortunate enough to run into me in coffee shops, who have put up with my babbling on about this.
In case you're wondering, here is a brief biography of me and links to some of my work at Thoughtco.com, where I spent many years writing on myriad archaeological and historical topics. This website does not use advertising, nor does it track anything but numbers of pages read. No AI was used in the writing. Images used are fully credited.
Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Contact me at