Decoding the Mechanisms of Antikythera Astronomical Device

J.L. Lin, H.S. Yan

Department of Mechanical Engineering
National Cheng Kung University

Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, 2016, ISBN 978-3-662-48445-6, ISBN 978-3-662-48447-0 (eBook)

Abstract

Antikythera mechanism, dated between 150 and 100 BC, is known as the oldest astronomical calculator. This geared instrument is decoded to display the date of Egyptian calendar, to demonstrate the motions of the Sun, the Moon and five planets on the Zodiac, to calculate the luni-solar calendar, and to predict the occurrence times of eclipses. However, owing to the damage of excavation, the incomplete interior structure cannot serve the exterior functions perfectly. Thus, the purpose of this work is to reconstruct all possible design concepts of interior structures of Antikythera mechanism systematically. The relevant historical archives and existing reconstruction designs of Antikythera mechanism are reviewed. The western astronomy, the geometrical theories for the motions of heavenly bodies and the development of astronomical instruments with similar functions are investigated to define the required design specifications for each subsystem of Antikythera mechanism. A systematic approach for the reconstruction designs of Antikythera mechanism is presented. Based on literature survey, the required design constraints are concluded. In accordance with the concepts of generalization and specialization, all feasible design concepts that are consistent with the technique standards and science theories of the subject’s time period are synthesized. Two feasible design concepts of the calendrical subsystem are synthesized. Two feasible design concepts of the lunar subsystem are synthesized. Three examples of the lost subsystem for the solar motion are synthesized respectively with two, one and one feasible design concepts. Two examples of the lost subsystem for the planetary motions are synthesized respectively with one and three design concepts. Then, the relationships to evaluate the feasible teeth in each design concept are formulated. In addition, through the evaluation of combinations, 48 reconstruction designs for the interior structure of Antikythera mechanism are created. The reconstruction design approach developed in this work synthesizes all feasible design concepts of Antikythera mechanism. It is logical to infer that one of the reconstruction designs should be the original model of mechanism, before the discovery of new excavated evidence. And, the book offers valuable new insights for all readers who are interested in the Antikythera mechanism, especially for research and education.

存在於西元前150至100年間的安提基瑟拉機構，為目前最古老的天文計算機，此齒輪裝置可依照埃及曆法指示日期、展示日、月、及五大行星在黃道上的週期性運動，可調結換算陰陽曆法，亦可預測日月蝕的發生時間。由於出土文物的損壞，該裝置已知的內部機構並不能完全與其外部功能相互對應，有鑑於此，本著作的目的，即在於系統化地復原安提基瑟拉機構之所有可能的設計概念。首先，究回顧安提基瑟拉機構的歷史文獻典籍與現有復原設計，研究西方天文學、古代行星理論、及具相似功能之古代天文機械的歷史發展，清楚定義安提基瑟拉機構中各子系統適當的設計規格。接著，提出一套系統化的安提基瑟拉機構復原設計方法，並依其流程進行機構的復原合成；基於文獻回顧訂定設計限制，再根據一般化與特殊化的概念，合成出所有符合當代工藝技術與科技理論之可行的設計概念。曆法子系統合成出2種設計概念；月亮子系統合成出2種設計概念；太陽子系統之三種設計規格分別合成出2個、1個、及1個設計概念；行星子系統的兩種設計規格則分別合成出1個和3個設計概念；亦完整推導出每個設計對應的齒數關係式意義。最後，透過各子系統之可行設計的組合評估，歸納出48種安提基瑟拉機構的可行復原設計。本著作提出的復原設計方法，可系統化合成出所有可行的安提基瑟拉機構，在新的證據尚未出現、出土之前，可合理推論本文的復原設計其一，應為安提基瑟拉機構的原貌。本書為介紹古希臘天文計算機安提基瑟拉機構系統化復原設計的唯一專書，具研究及教學價值。