17 December 2008
Antikythera Mechanism Rebuilt – Replica Works Perfectly
Posted by MSH under: Ancient Astronauts; Ancient Technology .
This is pretty cool. So what does this ancient machine do?
“In short, Antikythera’s user interface is deceptively simple, operated by a simple knob on the side. This conceals the intricacy within, amounting to a complex mathematical model, tracking the movements of planetary bodies and incorporating a series of submechanisms to account for the eccentricities of their rotation.”
And for all those out there that will want to attribute this early computing machine to extraterrestrials, take note that the machine only accounts for five planets — since only five were known in antiquity. If ET knew only five planets, he’s a pretty incompetent astronomer for being so “advanced.”
4 Comments so far...
Anonymous Says:
17 May 2010 at 8:32 PM.
Hmm…from what I read it is a fully astrological calculator of sorts as well, including all of the 12 astrological houses….oh but that’s silly too.
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mr x Says:
17 October 2010 at 10:16 AM.
the original was built in 1911 by germany.much more complex than this meek reconstruction.
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Smarter than Mr X Says:
10 November 2010 at 4:21 PM.
Actually, the original was created by the Greeks and is thought to have been made around 100 to 150 BC. Just a little sooner than the Germans, and pretty impressive if you ask me.
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MSH Reply:
November 15th, 2010 at 10:52 AM
it’s pretty cool; and no one is saying the Germans made it.
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