Popular physics - The Nebra disk

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the Nebra disk and its implications regarding the earliest observations of supernovae, as presented in R.G. Pizzone's paper. Participants express skepticism about the paper's academic rigor, suggesting it attracts a non-specialist audience due to its accessible presentation. The conversation critiques the lack of peer review in the context of the paper's claims, drawing parallels to pseudoscientific arguments. Overall, the discourse highlights the tension between popular science and rigorous academic standards.

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TL;DR
Archaeological evidence of first supernova sighting way before BCE
Popular Physics.

"Evidences of the earliest Supernova observation in the Nebra disk
R.G. Pizzone"

---- https://arxiv.org/abs/2005.07411I know this isn't exactly breaking news and I cannot comment of the quality or validity of the research, but I've found that due to the brevity of the paper and it's pedagoical execution it has a tendency to draw in an audience not normally interested in astronomy.

And with that I mean barely literate people who nevertheless enjoy the drawings and continuity of the religious awe of the event.

It may have been a little overlooked?

Regards,
Søren

[Should maybe have ben posted in the general forum. I couldn't find an archaeology or spurious forum. :). As alway,s, feel free to move. Goes without saying I know.
 
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sbrothy said:
It may have been a little overlooked?

My reaction was "Every time someone say we don't need peer-review, someone posts a paper like this on the arXiv."

The exact same argument could be used to prove that back then the moon was transparent. You can see stars shine right through it!
 
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Yeah, that's why I wrote it might fit better in a "spurious" (or perhaps even "gratitious" forum). But still, it does trigger the imagination and curiosity. Although I imagine the same could be said of some perpetuum mobile contraption.

Popular physics indeed.

[EDIT: In fact, the paper reminds me a little of Erich von Daniken :)]
 
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Erich von Daniken
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Heh. :) very apt.
 
I'm sure you're gonna love this one @Vanadium 50 :)

An Astronomical Interpretation of the Nebra Sky Disc

As I'm not sure you'll deign to actually read it, I'll serve up this incredibly self-secure tidbit from the paper for your amusement:

"Our ideas about the use of the Auriga line is probably correct."

Really now? Self-secure much?

Is that what you'd call "auto-peer-review"? :P
 
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