Flags of the Night Sky: When Astronomy Meets National Pride

by André G. Bordeleau

Overview

Many national flags display astronomical features – Sun, Moon, stars – but are they really based on existing astronomical objects? The United States flag sports 50 stars, one for each state, however none of them are linked to real stars. Further, the lunar crescent is often shaped like the Sun being eclipsed by the Moon. At times, stars are seen right next to the crescent, where the darkened disc of the moon should be! This book will present true astronomical objects and patterns highlighted on national flags and link informative capsules about these objects to the political reasons why they were chosen to adorn such an important symbol.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781461409298
Publisher:	Springer-Verlag New York, LLC
Publication date:	10/22/2013
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	341
File size:	10 MB

About the Author

André G. Bordeleau has been an amateur astronomer since 1982. He got involved with the Physics and Astronomy club at the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada while he was completing a Master’s degree in Political Science.  He spent the better part of the 1980’s with the club, selecting topics for meetings, presenting talks as well as offering guided tours of the University’s observatory.  He was named a Lifetime Honorary Member of the club in 1987.  He gave guided tours of the observatory and astronomy talks to outside groups and schools on behalf of the University of Guelph’s Outreach Program from 1987 until 1990.

 He has been involved in the fight for eradicating light pollution since 1987.  He has written several articles on popular astronomy topics in both English and French, many of them specifically on light pollution. Bordeleau has translated 5 astronomy books from English to French. He has been a planetarium lecturer for nearly 20 years. From1978 to 1990, he was a member of the Canadian National Moving Target Rifle Team and competed in the 1984 and 1988 Olympic Trials. He also won the Ontario Championships in 1984. In 1990, he travelled to Australia and New Zealand in order to admire the southern sky.  He has fallen in love with it and wishes for another opportunity to return, this time with a telescope, to resume his observations.

Table of Contents

Federative Republic of Brazil: Constellations in the Breeze.- Crux: Beacon of the Southern Hemisphere.- Northern Hemisphere: The Empty Sky.- Sun-bearing Flags: Here Comes the Sun.- Moon-bearing Flags: Bright side of the Moon.- Starry Flags: Here’s Stars in Your Eyes—Northern Hemisphere.- Starry Flags: Here’s Stars in Your Eyes—Southern Hemisphere.- Glossary: Vexillology.- Glossary: Astronomy.

Editorial Reviews

From the book reviews:

“Probably only in this book could one find detailed connections between vexillology and astronomy … . I recommend the book to anyone with an interest, even a minor one, in vexillology.” (Phillip Helbig, The Observatory, Vol. 134 (1243), December, 2014)


“With chapters ranging from sun-bearing flags, moon-bearing flags, and one titled ‘Starry Flags: Here’s Stars in Your Eyes’, Flags of the Night Sky covers it all. If you’re looking for in depth insight into national cultures displayed through their flags and their connections tied to the heavens above, this is a well organized, great resource.” (Eva Gallant, Universe Today, March 03, 2014)

From the Publisher