Of the grand order of folio leviathans, the Sperm Whale and the Right Whale are by far the most noteworthy. They are the only whales regularly hunted by man. To the Nantucketer, they present the two extremes of all the known varieties of the whale. As the external difference between them is mainly observable in their heads; and as a head of each is this moment hanging from the Pequod's side.
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Interdisciplinary Articles (Astronomy & the Humanities)
Poster for the play “Silent Sky” about Henrietta Leavitt
One of my favorite parts of exploring astronomy is finding connections between our understanding of the universe and other fields of human thought. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to work with, and learn from, a number of distinguished interdisciplinary scholars, including my history of science professor Gerald Holton and my late friend and expert on physics-and-literature, Alan Friedman. Tutored by them and many others, I have tried to look into the history of astronomy and into the inspiration it provides for the arts. On this page, you will find articles connecting astronomy and the humanities, including music, poetry, fiction (including science fiction), and play and films. I hope these pieces will allow you to discover the influence and inspiration astronomical ideas have had on our culture.
Astronomy in Popular Culture: Interdisciplinary Resources for Astro 101 (from The Education Blog of the American Astronomical Society): https://aas.org/posts/news/2021/11/astronomy-popular-culture-interdisciplinary-resources-astro-101
Interdisciplinary Approaches to Astronomy: Cosmic Fiction, Drama, and Poetry (from CAP Journal):
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/282356348_Interdisciplinary_Approaches_to_Astronomy_Cosmic_Fiction_Drama_and_Poetry
Interdisciplinary Approaches to Astronomy: The Music of the Spheres (from CAP Journal):
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/306746125_Interdisciplinary_Approaches_to_Astronomy_The_Music_of_the_Spheres
“Music of the Spheres” in Education: Using Astronomically Inspired Music (in Astronomy Education Review 2006):
http://dx.doi.org/10.3847/AER2006009
Music Inspired by Astronomy: A Guide Organized by Topic (updated in 2019):
https://www.fraknoi.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Fraknoi-Music-and-Astronomy-Article.pdf
Music of the Spheres: Astronomically-Inspired Music as an Education and Public Outreach Tool:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/234440922_Music_of_the_Spheres_Astronomy-Inspired_Music_as_an_EPO_Tool
Teaching Astronomy with Science Fiction (in Astronomy Education Review 2002):
http://dx.doi.org/10.3847/AER2002009
Science Fiction for Scientists (a review of 11 science fiction books with good science, from Nature Physics, 2016):
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/307611215_Special_Science_Fiction_for_Scientists
Astronomers who Write Science Fiction (a listing of names, living and deceased):
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/305851624_Astronomers_Who_Write_Science_Fiction
Ten Science Fiction Writers for Scientists and Science Enthusiasts (article from Astronomy Beat 2012):
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/261364023_Ten_Science_Fiction_Writers_for_Scientists_and_Science_Enthusiasts
A Catalog of Science Fiction Stories with Good Astronomy:
https://www.fraknoi.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Science-Fiction-with-Good-Astronomy.pdf
Some Plays about Astronomers (an annotated listing, right on this website):
https://www.fraknoi.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Plays-and-Some-Films-about-Astronomers-2nd-ed.pdf
Astronomy and Poetry: A Resource Guide (in Astronomy Education Review 2001):
http://dx.doi.org/10.3847/AER2001009
Connecting Eclipses to Other Fields (such as fiction, music, art, films, etc.; a guide on this website):
OTHERS’ ARTICLES ABOUT MY WORK:
Hannikainen, Diana “Music Inspired by Astronomy: A Catalog (on the Sky & Telescope website): https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/people-places-and-events/music-astronomy-catalog/
Interdisciplinary Articles (Astronomy & the Humanities) - Andrew Fraknoi - Astronomy Lectures - Astronomy Education Resources