This is the second lecture in the National Library of Malta Public Lectures Series 2023-2024, ‘Knowledge in the Making: Towards an Intellectual History of Early Modern Malta’. The series is organised in collaboration with the UM Department of Philosophy.

Among the publications on various subjects in the National Library of Malta we find a number of interesting publications on Astronomy, which raise questions on how they could have been used and who were the potential readers. The publications are spread over several centuries, starting with an incunabulum from the late 15th century to modern times. Many texts present a semi-popular or a popular account of astronomy though some of them have won prestigious awards from reputable astronomical institutions. Several other books tackle professional astronomy and present a more scientific description as well as astronomical observations. The presentation will follow the historical development of astronomy as the underlying theme for a review of the available publications.

Prof. Frank Ventura is a former head of the department of Mathematics, Science and Technical Education in the Faculty of Education, chairman of the MATSEC Examinations Board of the University of Malta. His interest in astronomy started at an early age and it is still an enduring pursuit especially in the study of archaeoastronomy, which explores the possible link between astronomy and prehistoric cultures. Besides publications on science education and educational assessment, Ventura has published several articles on astronomy and archaeoastronomy locally and internationally, as well as the award-winning L-Astronomija f’Malta.

The National Library Public Lecture Series 2023-2024 is a collaboration between the National Library and the UM Department of Philosophy. The series is coordinated by Maroma Camilleri, Prof. Jean-Paul De Lucca and Mevrick Spiteri.

Free entrance. No booking required.

For more information, please send an email.