Abstract
The Antikythera Mechanism is the oldest extant complex geared device, an amazing analogue computer. It was built approximately 2150 years ago. The device was operated manually by a user, setting a date in a dial. All necessary calculations were made using a set of gears (at least 39), while the results were displayed on several scientific scales. The Mechanism was used to calculate astronomical phenomena, such as solar and lunar eclipses. After an extensive description of the Mechanism, the main objective of the following paragraphs is to demonstrate the accuracy of its predictions.
Highlights
The Antikythera Mechanism is a gear device, made between 100 and 200 BC, which was operated by hand
The Mechanism implemented the astronomical knowledge of ancient Greeks about the motion of these heavenly bodies with astonishing accuracy, considering the anomalous orbit of the Moon using a system of eccentric gears
Since the date of the Easter celebration is related to the astronomical phenomenon of the lunar phases, which is calculated by the Mechanism, it is possible to calculate the exact date of the celebration of Easter without any intervention in the structure of the Mechanism
Summary
The Antikythera Mechanism is a gear device, made between 100 and 200 BC, which was operated by hand. The Mechanism implemented the astronomical knowledge of ancient Greeks about the motion of these heavenly bodies with astonishing accuracy, considering the anomalous orbit of the Moon using a system of eccentric gears. It could predict eclipses of the Sun and the Moon based on the Saros period, which was found in one of its scales. In order to verify its accuracy, an application has been developed in a virtual reality environment, which simulates the operation of the physical models The indicators on both sides of the Mechanism are presented in an image format and not as a numerical result. The results support the view that the Antikythera Mechanism was a scientific instrument for accurate astronomical predictions
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