5 minute read
Dinner for Three
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by Castille Dennison
One Dinner. Two invitations. Guests from any time, anywhere. Who would you choose?
When first contemplating who to invite to dinner, I knew I was looking for one ancient
scientist whose known discoveries have had major impacts on society and one modern
counterpart who could explain how modern societies use wisdom from the past. I believe the
best duo to accomplish this goal would be Hipparchus and Katherine Johnson.
Hipparchus was an ancient Greek astronomer and mathematician who made several
influential discoveries during the 2nd century BCE, including the 10th Schrödinger number,
the time in a year, and the distance from the sun to earth. Today, much of his work is only
known through the writings of others such as Plutarch because many of his writings were
destroyed in the second burning of the Library of Alexandria. However, history retained
some of his knowledge due to his communication with peers.
Mathematician Katherine Johnson was the first female in the Flight Research Division to be
credited for her work in a report. She began her professional life as a teacher, but eventually
found herself at NACA (renamed NASA), working as a “walking computer,” checking
calculations and creating the math to determine trajectories for spaceflight. At John Glen’s
request, she analyzed the trajectory for his first manned flight, with a mere error of 60 miles.
Her work advanced our understanding of space travel and paved the path for future space
missions. The Hidden Figures book and movie adaptation publicly shared her story, making
her an icon for women seeking careers in STEM.
Combining the thinking of modern and ancient mathematicians provides the opportunity to
look at problems involving outer space in a more diverse way. Due to the difference in tools
available, Hipparchus’ techniques when evaluating distances and star movement in space
was certainly different from Johnson’s when finding the Azimuth Angle at burnout to
accurately position satellites. I’d want to know how they tackled problems. What led them to
the answers they presented to the public? Is there a common denominator between the two
processes or a way to combine them? It took Hipparchus three tries over the years to
determine the accurate distance from the earth to the sun. Why did he keep revisiting it?
How did he know he had it right? How did Katherine gain the confidence to assert her
findings surrounded by people doubting her? When collaborating with peers, I often marvel
at the ability for progress to be spurred by the variety of perspectives and ideals to fit
together like a magnificent puzzle. The differences in perspectives over centuries adds a
whole new dimension; one where the final puzzle becomes an elaborate sculpture.
If Hipparchus and Katherine Johnson were to converse, generations of knowledge, both
past and present, would collide. They could discuss simple and complex mathematics, while
we brainstorm applications for use in space travel. Similar to the discussions in the French
Renaissance salons, the table would become a feast of knowledge. Most importantly,
however, is the steps after the food has disappeared, the dishes are washed, and the
goodbyes are said. I’d embark on my journey to use the knowledge and renewed tenacity to
change the world, just as Katherine and Hipparchus did.