O. Gingerich (Harvard-Smithsonian CfA)
As one of the three founders of the Historical Astronomy Division, I shall reflect on the progress of the history of astronomy over the past three decades. This includes the success of the Journal for the History of Astronomy and the proliferation of other venues for the history of our discipline, the usefulness of Steve McCluskey's HASTRO e-mail list, and the many reference works now available or forthcoming. The status of archaeoastronomy and the ill-fated General History of Astronomy will be mentioned.
Today history of astronomy is recognized as a serious endeavor on the part of younger scholars, and is longer dismissed as an activity best carried out by retired astronomers long past their prime!
Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 36 5
© 2004. The American Astronomical Society.