On April 16-17, NYU will commemorate the 400th anniversary of the invention of the telescope, as leading scholars come together to explore the interfaces between the humanities and social sciences, and science and technology. For two days, humanists, scientists, and engineers will discuss how the instrument's use led not only to a multitude of discoveries and the development of new branches within the physical sciences, but to probing questions about the role and purpose of humanity in the universe. Far from being just a crucial scientific instrument, the telescope since Galileo has served as a potent symbol of aristocratic patronage as well as a genuine threat to received ideas about how the heavens work. From the 18th century to the present, it has conferred power and prestige on those who used it to redefine the origins of the universe. Ethical, political, economic, religious, cultural, and aesthetic ideals converge in this exciting history. By placing the invention and development of the telescope within their proper historical contexts, we can appreciate the role of science in culture as well as the role of culture in framing the scientific enterprise — and how both scientific and cultural ventures engage creativity and ingenuity.

Today's talks will conclude at 5:00 p.m. with internationally-acclaimed actor Jay Sanders' readings of key scenes from Robert Goodwin's recent play, "Two Gentlemen of Florence," in which Sanders performed the role of Galileo.

Day 2 Schedule

9:00 a.m. Coffee and Bagels

9:30 a.m. "Did Galileo Copy the Telescope?"

Mario Biagioli, Harvard University

10:10 a.m. "Bringing Heaven to the Capacity of All: The Telescope and the Culture of Astronomy from Galileo to Newton"

Mordechai Feingold, California Institute of Technology

10:50 a.m. "Joseph von Fraunhofer's Artisanal Optics, Skill, and Experimental Natural Philosophers in the Early Nineteenth Century"

Myles W. Jackson, NYU-Poly and Gallatin-NYU

11:30 - 12:30 p.m. Questions and General Discussion

12:30 - 2:00 p.m. Lunch Break

2:00 p.m. "Catch a Falling Star: Meteor and Satellite Trackers: Who Made Them and Why? Who Paid for Them and Why?"

David DeVorkin, The Smithsonian Institution

2:40 p.m. "The Radio Astronomers: New Communities and Knowledge via New Telescopes and Disciples"

David Munns, John Jay College

3:20 p.m. "Telescopes Beyond the Atmosphere: Making Space Astronomy and Building Coalitions"

Robert Smith, The University of Alberta

4:00 - 5:00 p.m. Questions and General Discussions

5:00 p.m. Reading by Jay Sanders, from Richard Goodwin's "Two Men of Florence"

6:00 p.m. Reception