Description
Long before the invention and use of magnetic compasses, sextants and chronometers for navigating across oceans, ancient seafarers voyaged eastward from Southeast Asia into the Pacific Ocean. They discovered and populated islands throughout the Polynesian Triangle from Aotearoa (New Zealand) in the south to Hawai’i in the north and Rapa Nui (Easter Island) in the east. How did they find their way through the vast, featureless, watery seascape?
BPAA President Frank Petrie, who with his wife in the early 1990’s sailed from the US West Coast through the South Pacific islands to New Zealand and back to Bainbridge Island, discusses the ancient techniques of the Polynesian navigators. From memorizing the positions and movements of hundreds of prominent stars, to interpreting the patterns of waves, the flight of birds, the appearance of clouds, and other clues, these intrepid voyagers established their society and culture throughout the islands of the Pacific. In recent years, the resurgence of Polynesian cultural identity has led to the modern revival of these ancient skills.
This presentation will be in person at the Ritchie Observatory, and live streamed via Zoom. Following the presentation will be a showing of the fulldome planetarium movie “The Navigators” for the in-person audience only. Regrettably, we are not able to live stream the movie to the Zoom audience.
In-person attendance is limited to 30, and advance registration is required for admittance, so please register today.
After the planetarium show, we'll have a star party if the weather cooperates. Dress warm for the star party, it will be cold!
Cancellations will result in a credit that can be used for a future event. We regret that we are unable to offer refunds.
