Chaokang Tai 🟥
@cktai.nl
Historian of Modern Astronomy (photography, colonialism, invisible labour, epistemic virtues) | Academic Skills and Philosophy of Science Teacher @ University of Amsterdam | Posts mainly in English, sometimes Dutch | http://www.cktai.nl/
What perfect albums came out when you were 16?
2000/2001:
2000/2001:
July 24, 2025 at 3:16 PM
What perfect albums came out when you were 16?
2000/2001:
2000/2001:
None of them are as unfortunate as the Eurostar logo though
July 12, 2025 at 10:57 AM
None of them are as unfortunate as the Eurostar logo though
Because it is not the goal of LLMs to know what is true or not. They have no way of assigning truth. If you do not believe me, then listen to ChatGPT itself. (Not trusting ChatGPT but showing its results is logically consistent; trusting ChatGPT but not believing its results is not).
May 15, 2025 at 8:20 AM
Because it is not the goal of LLMs to know what is true or not. They have no way of assigning truth. If you do not believe me, then listen to ChatGPT itself. (Not trusting ChatGPT but showing its results is logically consistent; trusting ChatGPT but not believing its results is not).
The University of Amsterdam is on strike!
Today, I join my colleagues and students in our strike against the disastrous plans to drastically cut the education budget. Our answer is simple: Stop this! Education and research are essential for the flourishing of knowledge, democracy, and society.
Today, I join my colleagues and students in our strike against the disastrous plans to drastically cut the education budget. Our answer is simple: Stop this! Education and research are essential for the flourishing of knowledge, democracy, and society.
March 17, 2025 at 8:02 AM
The University of Amsterdam is on strike!
Today, I join my colleagues and students in our strike against the disastrous plans to drastically cut the education budget. Our answer is simple: Stop this! Education and research are essential for the flourishing of knowledge, democracy, and society.
Today, I join my colleagues and students in our strike against the disastrous plans to drastically cut the education budget. Our answer is simple: Stop this! Education and research are essential for the flourishing of knowledge, democracy, and society.
De UvA Staakt!
Vandaag staak ik samen met collega’s en studenten tegen de desastreuze kabinetsplannen om rigoureus te bezuinigen op het onderwijs. Wij zeggen nee! Onderwijs en onderzoek zijn noodzakelijk voor de bloei van kennis, democratie en samenleving.
Vandaag staak ik samen met collega’s en studenten tegen de desastreuze kabinetsplannen om rigoureus te bezuinigen op het onderwijs. Wij zeggen nee! Onderwijs en onderzoek zijn noodzakelijk voor de bloei van kennis, democratie en samenleving.
March 17, 2025 at 7:59 AM
De UvA Staakt!
Vandaag staak ik samen met collega’s en studenten tegen de desastreuze kabinetsplannen om rigoureus te bezuinigen op het onderwijs. Wij zeggen nee! Onderwijs en onderzoek zijn noodzakelijk voor de bloei van kennis, democratie en samenleving.
Vandaag staak ik samen met collega’s en studenten tegen de desastreuze kabinetsplannen om rigoureus te bezuinigen op het onderwijs. Wij zeggen nee! Onderwijs en onderzoek zijn noodzakelijk voor de bloei van kennis, democratie en samenleving.
11/12 #BSHSGlobalHist
Eventually, Plaskett arranged for Pannekoek to visit DAO and make his own observations. He stayed for six months in 1929, during which he took ~50 photographic spectra. It took until 1953 before these plates were all measured and the last results were published.
Eventually, Plaskett arranged for Pannekoek to visit DAO and make his own observations. He stayed for six months in 1929, during which he took ~50 photographic spectra. It took until 1953 before these plates were all measured and the last results were published.
February 12, 2025 at 9:19 PM
11/12 #BSHSGlobalHist
Eventually, Plaskett arranged for Pannekoek to visit DAO and make his own observations. He stayed for six months in 1929, during which he took ~50 photographic spectra. It took until 1953 before these plates were all measured and the last results were published.
Eventually, Plaskett arranged for Pannekoek to visit DAO and make his own observations. He stayed for six months in 1929, during which he took ~50 photographic spectra. It took until 1953 before these plates were all measured and the last results were published.
10/12 #BSHSGlobalHist
But relying on remote observation could be tricky. Plates might be unsuitable or unavailable. Instructions for new spectra were not always realistic. J.S. Plaskett of DAO complained that Pannekoek did not always realize the practical difficulties of his requests.
But relying on remote observation could be tricky. Plates might be unsuitable or unavailable. Instructions for new spectra were not always realistic. J.S. Plaskett of DAO complained that Pannekoek did not always realize the practical difficulties of his requests.
February 12, 2025 at 9:19 PM
10/12 #BSHSGlobalHist
But relying on remote observation could be tricky. Plates might be unsuitable or unavailable. Instructions for new spectra were not always realistic. J.S. Plaskett of DAO complained that Pannekoek did not always realize the practical difficulties of his requests.
But relying on remote observation could be tricky. Plates might be unsuitable or unavailable. Instructions for new spectra were not always realistic. J.S. Plaskett of DAO complained that Pannekoek did not always realize the practical difficulties of his requests.
9/12 #BSHSGlobalHist
This division of labour was especially beneficial because measuring photographic plates was time-intensive. Pannekoek argued that large observatories lacked the resources to measure all their plates in detail, which was why this should be done in Amsterdam.
This division of labour was especially beneficial because measuring photographic plates was time-intensive. Pannekoek argued that large observatories lacked the resources to measure all their plates in detail, which was why this should be done in Amsterdam.
February 12, 2025 at 9:19 PM
9/12 #BSHSGlobalHist
This division of labour was especially beneficial because measuring photographic plates was time-intensive. Pannekoek argued that large observatories lacked the resources to measure all their plates in detail, which was why this should be done in Amsterdam.
This division of labour was especially beneficial because measuring photographic plates was time-intensive. Pannekoek argued that large observatories lacked the resources to measure all their plates in detail, which was why this should be done in Amsterdam.
8/12 #BSHSGlobalHist
Photographic plates could also be shared. This enabled Pannekoek to carve out his own niche in astrophysics by setting up a precision measurement program that used surplus photographic spectra loaned from Lick Observatory & Dominion Astrophysical Observatory.
Photographic plates could also be shared. This enabled Pannekoek to carve out his own niche in astrophysics by setting up a precision measurement program that used surplus photographic spectra loaned from Lick Observatory & Dominion Astrophysical Observatory.
February 12, 2025 at 9:19 PM
8/12 #BSHSGlobalHist
Photographic plates could also be shared. This enabled Pannekoek to carve out his own niche in astrophysics by setting up a precision measurement program that used surplus photographic spectra loaned from Lick Observatory & Dominion Astrophysical Observatory.
Photographic plates could also be shared. This enabled Pannekoek to carve out his own niche in astrophysics by setting up a precision measurement program that used surplus photographic spectra loaned from Lick Observatory & Dominion Astrophysical Observatory.
7/12 #BSHSGlobalHist
Astrophotography had a crucial advantage over visual observation: it recorded and preserved the observations. This made it ideal for eclipse expeditions, like the one from 1927 to Lapland, where Pannekoek took several photographic plates of the coronal spectrum.
Astrophotography had a crucial advantage over visual observation: it recorded and preserved the observations. This made it ideal for eclipse expeditions, like the one from 1927 to Lapland, where Pannekoek took several photographic plates of the coronal spectrum.
February 12, 2025 at 9:19 PM
7/12 #BSHSGlobalHist
Astrophotography had a crucial advantage over visual observation: it recorded and preserved the observations. This made it ideal for eclipse expeditions, like the one from 1927 to Lapland, where Pannekoek took several photographic plates of the coronal spectrum.
Astrophotography had a crucial advantage over visual observation: it recorded and preserved the observations. This made it ideal for eclipse expeditions, like the one from 1927 to Lapland, where Pannekoek took several photographic plates of the coronal spectrum.
6/12 #BSHSGlobalHist
Pannekoek obtained extrafocal plates from 🇩🇪Heidelberg, 🇮🇩Lembang, and 🇿🇦Maselspoort. They were measured and projected onto large sheets in order to draw isophotic diagrams and naturalistic drawings, very similar to what he had done with visual observations.
Pannekoek obtained extrafocal plates from 🇩🇪Heidelberg, 🇮🇩Lembang, and 🇿🇦Maselspoort. They were measured and projected onto large sheets in order to draw isophotic diagrams and naturalistic drawings, very similar to what he had done with visual observations.
February 12, 2025 at 9:19 PM
6/12 #BSHSGlobalHist
Pannekoek obtained extrafocal plates from 🇩🇪Heidelberg, 🇮🇩Lembang, and 🇿🇦Maselspoort. They were measured and projected onto large sheets in order to draw isophotic diagrams and naturalistic drawings, very similar to what he had done with visual observations.
Pannekoek obtained extrafocal plates from 🇩🇪Heidelberg, 🇮🇩Lembang, and 🇿🇦Maselspoort. They were measured and projected onto large sheets in order to draw isophotic diagrams and naturalistic drawings, very similar to what he had done with visual observations.
5/12 #BSHSGlobalHist
Collective subjectivity could be removed by astrophotography. But regular photography could not capture the MW image. Instead Pannekoek used extrafocal photography to mimic the eye: the light of multiple stars could overlap, which recreated the Milky Way clouds.
Collective subjectivity could be removed by astrophotography. But regular photography could not capture the MW image. Instead Pannekoek used extrafocal photography to mimic the eye: the light of multiple stars could overlap, which recreated the Milky Way clouds.
February 12, 2025 at 9:19 PM
5/12 #BSHSGlobalHist
Collective subjectivity could be removed by astrophotography. But regular photography could not capture the MW image. Instead Pannekoek used extrafocal photography to mimic the eye: the light of multiple stars could overlap, which recreated the Milky Way clouds.
Collective subjectivity could be removed by astrophotography. But regular photography could not capture the MW image. Instead Pannekoek used extrafocal photography to mimic the eye: the light of multiple stars could overlap, which recreated the Milky Way clouds.
4/12 #BSHSGlobalHist
One of his goals was to represent the Milky Way as seen by the human eye. First, he combined his own visual observations with those of other observers, creating a "mean subjective image" that eliminated personal but preserved collective subjectivity.
One of his goals was to represent the Milky Way as seen by the human eye. First, he combined his own visual observations with those of other observers, creating a "mean subjective image" that eliminated personal but preserved collective subjectivity.
February 12, 2025 at 9:19 PM
4/12 #BSHSGlobalHist
One of his goals was to represent the Milky Way as seen by the human eye. First, he combined his own visual observations with those of other observers, creating a "mean subjective image" that eliminated personal but preserved collective subjectivity.
One of his goals was to represent the Milky Way as seen by the human eye. First, he combined his own visual observations with those of other observers, creating a "mean subjective image" that eliminated personal but preserved collective subjectivity.
3/12 #BSHSGlobalHist
Fortunately for him, Pannekoek was offered to found his own institute at the University of Amsterdam (@api.uva.nl). Unable to build an observatory, he copied Kapteyn in Groningen and designed an astronomical laboratory that could work with photographic plates taken elsewhere.
Fortunately for him, Pannekoek was offered to found his own institute at the University of Amsterdam (@api.uva.nl). Unable to build an observatory, he copied Kapteyn in Groningen and designed an astronomical laboratory that could work with photographic plates taken elsewhere.
February 12, 2025 at 9:19 PM
3/12 #BSHSGlobalHist
Fortunately for him, Pannekoek was offered to found his own institute at the University of Amsterdam (@api.uva.nl). Unable to build an observatory, he copied Kapteyn in Groningen and designed an astronomical laboratory that could work with photographic plates taken elsewhere.
Fortunately for him, Pannekoek was offered to found his own institute at the University of Amsterdam (@api.uva.nl). Unable to build an observatory, he copied Kapteyn in Groningen and designed an astronomical laboratory that could work with photographic plates taken elsewhere.
2/12 #BSHSGlobalHist
Pannekoek (1873-1960) began his career at Leiden Observatory, but moved to Berlin in 1906 to teach historical materialism & write on Marxism for the @spdde.bsky.social. Returning to astronomy in 1918, he was barred from another Leiden position because of his radical politics.
Pannekoek (1873-1960) began his career at Leiden Observatory, but moved to Berlin in 1906 to teach historical materialism & write on Marxism for the @spdde.bsky.social. Returning to astronomy in 1918, he was barred from another Leiden position because of his radical politics.
February 12, 2025 at 9:18 PM
2/12 #BSHSGlobalHist
Pannekoek (1873-1960) began his career at Leiden Observatory, but moved to Berlin in 1906 to teach historical materialism & write on Marxism for the @spdde.bsky.social. Returning to astronomy in 1918, he was barred from another Leiden position because of his radical politics.
Pannekoek (1873-1960) began his career at Leiden Observatory, but moved to Berlin in 1906 to teach historical materialism & write on Marxism for the @spdde.bsky.social. Returning to astronomy in 1918, he was barred from another Leiden position because of his radical politics.
1/12 #BSHSGlobalHist #HistSci #HistSTM
Astrophotography had a decisive impact in the early 20c, altering both astronomical practice itself and how astronomers cooperated. This is exemplified by the photographic research of renowned Marxist and astronomer without observatory, Anton Pannekoek.
Astrophotography had a decisive impact in the early 20c, altering both astronomical practice itself and how astronomers cooperated. This is exemplified by the photographic research of renowned Marxist and astronomer without observatory, Anton Pannekoek.
February 12, 2025 at 9:18 PM
1/12 #BSHSGlobalHist #HistSci #HistSTM
Astrophotography had a decisive impact in the early 20c, altering both astronomical practice itself and how astronomers cooperated. This is exemplified by the photographic research of renowned Marxist and astronomer without observatory, Anton Pannekoek.
Astrophotography had a decisive impact in the early 20c, altering both astronomical practice itself and how astronomers cooperated. This is exemplified by the photographic research of renowned Marxist and astronomer without observatory, Anton Pannekoek.
Impressive numbers came out to protest against the cuts!
November 25, 2024 at 6:16 PM
Impressive numbers came out to protest against the cuts!
Today we protest against the unnecessary, irresponsible, and unfair (especially for students) cuts on higher education in the Netherlands!
November 25, 2024 at 11:05 AM
Today we protest against the unnecessary, irresponsible, and unfair (especially for students) cuts on higher education in the Netherlands!