Astrolab – Laboratory for Cultural Astronomy of Ilia State University, Georgia

The Interdisciplinary views at the universe

Research and academic areas
•    Cultural Astronomy and Archaeoastronomy
•    Cosmochemistry and Astrophysics

About
Research in archaeoastronomy
Ph.D program in Cultural Astronomy and Archaeoastronomy
Research in cosmochemistry and astrophysics
Staff
Publications


About

Laboratory for Cultural Astronomy develops research and academic activities in two main interdisciplinary fields:
1.    Cultural Astronomy and Archaeoastronomy
2.    Cosmochemistry and Astrophysics

Main aims of Astrolab activities are:
a) creation and development of innovative research projects in mentioned fields;
b) creation and launching of interdisciplinary doctoral programs in the mentioned fields.

Astrolab’s research targets are:
a)megalithic constructions with possible astronomical alignments; oral, written, and graphic  materials contained astronomical knowledge and cosmological notions of the past.
b) icy bodies and dust of the Solar System and our galaxy including comets; meteorites and presolar grains; circumstellar dust and ice.



Research in archaeoastronomy

1.    Megalithic constructions with possible astronomical alignments.
2.    Oral, written, and graphic materials which contained astronomical knowledge and cosmological notions of the past. Creation of the database.



Ph.D program in cultural astronomy and archaeoastronomy

The program consists of the following courses:

• Special course of astronomy
• Cultural astronomy and archaeoastronomy
• Landscape archaeoalogy
• Ancient history

Duration of the program -4 years. Obtained degree – Ph.D. The program is free of charge.



Research in cosmochemistry and astrophysics.

1. Studies of cometary dust and ice.
2. Investigation of the circumstellar dust and ice including mineral and icy particles of protoplanetary and planetary nebula.

3. Analysis of astronomical spectra (comets, nebula). Creation of the database.


Staff
Local staff: Prof. Irakli Simonia, The School of Graduate Studies of Ilia State University, 3/5 Cholokashvili str.,Tbilisi, 0162, Georgia. astrolab@iliauni.edu.ge;  Irakli_simonia@iliauni.edu.ge.

Adjunct Staff: Prof. Stanislaw Iwaniszewski (Mexico, Poland); Prof. Ankan Das (India)