SLAC X‑rays reveal hidden Hipparchus star maps — with EMEL’s contributions
Photo credits: X-ray fluorescence imaging is illuminating Hipparchus’ lost star catalog, allowing researchers to learn more about ancient astronomy. Jacqueline Ramseyer Orrell/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
Synchrotron X‑rays at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SLAC) have brought to light additional long‑erased Greek astronomical text— including coordinates tied to Hipparchus’s star catalog—beneath later Syriac writing in the Codex Climaci Rescriptus. This work builds on earlier multispectral imaging that hinted at the undertext and is now resolving constellations and star positions with striking clarity.
EMEL’s role: EMEL previously conducted multispectral imaging of the codex, first in 2017 (with the Lazarus Project) and again in 2025 to refine regions for farther analysis. EMEL scientific members also participated in the SLAC campaign, continuing a collaboration that has supported new readings of the Hipparchus material.
