Jon Chesey

Jon Chesey

• aka "Cheesy Jon"

Jon lives in Barony of Three Rivers and has been an active participant there since ~2016 after taking a long break from the SCA due to school and real life. His primary interest is rattan combat, but he is also well known for his work in astronomy, bardic, costuming, and voice heraldry.

Persona

Jon's persona in the SCA took a long time to crystallize, but was eventually derived from his interest in astronomy as the tools and methods that captured his interest were only available at the very end of the SCA period. As such, Jon Chesey is a late 16th century Englishman, the latter son of a lord, releasing him from burdensome expectations of taking over the estate. Instead, Jon was free to travel and pursue his interest in astronomical sciences. He would have studied the works of Ptolemy and Copernicus, learned instrumentation from Brahe.

History in the SCA

• Started in the SCA in 1999 after being introduced by Sir Donato el Lobo

Awards

Kingdom

• AoA: February 2004
• Iren Fyrd: June 2017
• Torse: March 2018
• Leather Mallet: September 2018
• Golden Calon Swan: May 2019
• Queen's Order of Distinction: Winter 2021
• Silver Hammer: September 2022

Baronial

• Order of Three Rivers (Silver)
• Baroness' Order of Patronage
• Lamp

Groups and Affiliations

• Current Group: Barony of Three Rivers
• Previous Groups:
  • Shire of Oakheart (2002 - 2005)
  • Shire of Carlsby (2005 - 2009)

Offices

• Baronial:
  • Herald for Barony of Three Rivers (2016 - 2019)
  • Gold Key for Barony of Three Rivers (2018 - 2024)
  • Webminister for Barony of Three Rivers (2021 - 2023)
  • Chronicler for Barony of Three Rivers (2023 - Current)
• Kingdom
  • White Hawk Herald for Anton IV and Yseult, 72nd Crown (2019 - 2020)
  • Deputy Kingdom Webminister (2021 - Current)
  • Social Media Deputy (2024 - Current)

Events Run

• Lilies 2017 B3R Party
• Lilies 2018 B3R Party
• Winter Court 2018 - A Norse Yule Celebration
• Gryphon's Fest 2019 - A Merry Band of Thieves
• Gryphon's Fest 2021 - Our Saints Weekend
• B3R Friday Night Bardic 2020 - 2021 (Online)
• B3R Online Feast
• Gryphon's Fest 2022 - Gryphons at Sea

Championships

• Rattan fighting champion for Barony of Three Rivers 2016-2017

Crown Entries

• Fall 2021
• Fall 2022
• Spring 2023

A&S Entries

• Queen's Prize 2019
  • Paper on computing astronomical rising signs for any latitude
• Kingdom A&S 2019 (Championship entry)
  • Results of one year of astronomical data taking
  • Original bardic works
  • Hand sewn linen shirt
• Queen's Prize 2020
  • King Charles IX of France Embroidered Trim
• Kingdom A&S 2020
  • Paper updating Ptolemaic solar model to present day
• Queen's Prize 2022
  • Paper updating Ptolemaic solar and lunar models to present day
• Kingdom A&S 2022
  • A paper volvelle used for determining corrections to observations of Polaris to determine latitude for use in celestial navigation
• Kingdom A&S 2023 (Victor)
  • Tudor doublet and Venetian hose
  • Wormwood water
  • Analysis of Patient's star catalog in the Cambridge MS 32 Almagest manuscript

Astronomical Research

Mathematical Astronomy

In 2017, Jon discovered an image of a 16th century astronomical toolkit. The toolkit contained several small instruments, but also included tables that would have been used to predict the time and location of various objects in the night sky. Mundanely, Jon has a degree in astronomy and began wondering how such tables were calculated in period. Specifically, he was interested in how astronomers in period, used the geocentric and heliocentric models to make planetary predictions.

As such, Jon started trying to investigate this by reading Kepler's Astronomia Nova. But despite his familiarity with modern astronomy, he found the context in which Kepler was framing his discussion sufficiently foreign that Jon would need to get a better understanding the foundational principles of astronomy in the 16th century. Since the de facto model at the time was still based in the Ptolemaic geocentric model, Jon decided to start by working through Ptolemy's 2nd century Almagest. He began this project in early 2018 and based on the current rate of progress, is expected to finish this text in late 2025 or early 2026.

As Jon works through this text, he has been explaining the text in his blog. This is an important contribution to the field as there is little material available to help readers understand the text. While the Almagest does have an English translation (from which Jon is working), the translator offers scant commentary to assist readers in this difficult text. While there are a few other texts that have looked at this work, they do not deal with it in its entirety and often use modern math to approach the topics. As such, Jon's blog is the first time in modern history that the Almagest is being explained in its entirety in its own context.

In addition to his blog, Jon's research has also been included in Universe Today.

Observational Astronomy

The astronomical models Jon has been studying rely on a theoretical model that still needs to be calibrated based on real observations. As such, Jon has taken an interest in the tools astronomers used to make observations.

The Great Quadrant

Jon Chesey and Yseult de Michel observing using the great quadrant

The first instrument Jon built (with help from his father who is a carpenter mundanely) was an astronomical quadrant based on one originally built by Tycho Brahe in 1569. The quadrant was built over the summer of 2018 and disassembles for easy transport. The instrument is leveled with screws in each corner that, while not in the original design by Brahe, was found in his later instruments. To tell if it is level, a plumb hangs from the central axis above a mark which indicates when it is level. The wire for the plumb also hangs in front of the scale for the instrument to indicate where the reading should be taken from.

When first built, the quadrant was only able to measure in one direction - the up-down, known as altitude, used for measuring the angle of an object above the horizon. This, along with the angle along the horizon from north (the azimuth), the observer's latitude, and the time measured with respect to the stars instead of the sun (sidereal time), can be used to determine the coordinates of an object in a coordinate system affixed to the sky to provide a single reference frame for all objects. To ensure that observers using this instrument would know the azimuth, the instrument was originally aligned north-south by sighting the north star, Polaris, and then locking it in that position so it could no longer rotate in that plane. This meant that observers would have to wait for objects in the sky to rotate into position for the instrument to be able to observe them - a tedious task. To solve this problem, a second scale was added in the azimuthal plane in late 2020. Now, during setup, the instrument is aligned on north, but the new azimuth ring is then set for this and the instrument can be pointed anywhere in the sky and the azimuth determined.

This instrument was featured in the June 2021 issue of Sky & Telescope Magazine

Observational Goals

Calibration & Testing of Astronomical Models

In order to have the necessary observations to properly calibrate and test the astronomical models Jon is studying, Jon seeks to take frequent observations. However, the observations necessary for calibration occur only when planets are directly opposite the earth from the sun which happens quite infrequently. Additional observations at other times will be necessary to test the models, but observations for this goal are rare.

A map of the stellar positions based on observations taken by Jon Chesey's great quadrant as of March 2021

Star Map/Catalog

Since the primary function of observing planets for modeling is not demanding, Jon seeks to use the quadrant for other astronomical goals. In particular, he is working to build a catalog of the position of stars based on his observations. This is inspired by the 1603 publication the Uranometria which took Tycho's observations and turned them into illustrated star maps. At present, Jon's catalog has over 450 stars, positions of which are based on over 1,100 observations.

Ptolemaic Star Catalog Manuscript Investigation

Books VII and VIII of the Almagest contain a catalog of 1,025 stars. However, due to generations of copying of this catalog, few stars are without variation across manuscripts. While various historians have attempted to analyze the variants in an attempt to reconstruct the original catalog, there is still some disagreement.

As such, Jon is working to redo much of the investigation by analyzing extant manuscripts (in Greek and Latin thus far) to catalog the variations between sources. His hope is to be able to use this data to better construct a lineage of the manuscripts and understand when and where errors were introduced. In doing so, Jon has contributed to scholarly research attempting to reconstruct a critical Latin edition of the Almagest (Project Ptolemaeus Arabus et Latinus).

Bardic Arts

Jon began exploring the bardic arts in 2016 after visiting Great Western War and finding that few people there could lead songs as Calontir's bardic tradition is unique. In response, Jon started learning many of Calontir's songs to take elsewhere.

In 2020, during the pandemic, Jon began learning to play guitar to help supplement his bardic skills.

Songs Written

• Calontir At War
• Faerie's Gift
• Form the Wall
• Into the Halls
• Too Many Sons
• Valhalla's Halls

Classes Offered

Astronomy

This series of classes is intended largely as a comprehensive course in period astronomy. The eventual goal of the series of classes is to present the astronomical models in full mathematical detail. As such, the series starts with a general overview of the history of astronomy through period, and then goes into pre-requisite knowledge including the motions models must described, astronomical concepts and terminology, and mathematical techniques. Future classes will begin developing the models themselves. The series will include some supplemental classes that don't necessarily contain material required for other classes, but further flesh out topics or give interesting use cases for topics learned previously.

Core Classes

Introduction

A Brief History of Medieval Astronomy

This class presents a high level overview of astronomy from the Greek geocentric model, through the Islamic golden age, and ending with the development of the heliocentric model at the end of period.

Foundational Knowledge

Movement of the Heavens

This class explores the motion of the night sky from the point of view of an observer on Earth, paying special attention to the various motions that any mathematical model of the heavens will need to be able to account for without exploring the causes. It is taught using planetarium software so attendees can explore motions that are apparent over long timescales.

De Sphaera (On the Sphere)

While the concept of the celestial sphere was introduced in the previous class, this one develops it further, defining it more rigorously in order to provide a basis for coordinate systems and mathematics.

Mathematics of the Almagest

The mathematics contained in the Almagest are not especially advanced, but are difficult to parse because they are in base-60 (sexagesimal) and use mathematical techniques that are not generally taught in modern day because they have been replaced with more useful methods. In response, this class develops the mathematical understanding that is necessary to engage with the text.

Mathematical Models

Here Comes the Sun

This class gives a qualitative understanding of how the geocentric model of the sun functions and then explores how it may be used to quantitatively predict the position of the sun on a given date using a solar model updated for present day. The class is taught in partnership with Pádraigín an Ein i gh who explains the astrological significance of the solar position.

Supplemental

Christianity and Astronomy in the Medieval Period

Pop-history often teaches that the Christian Church was antagonistic to astronomy. In contrast, many Christian apologists claim that religion inspired astronomers. This class explores the relationship between astronomy and the Church in depth.

Celestial Navigation

This class explores how the concepts from the celestial sphere were used in period for navigation. It is based on the 16th century Arte of Navigation by Martin Cortes and includes a hands-on use of instruments. When taught at Lilies War, the practicum portion is taught on the Fyrdraka at night.

Ptolemy's Star Catalog - A Stolen Masterwork?

Ptolemy’s star catalog contains descriptions, coordinates, and brightnesses for 1025 stars. But did Ptolemy create this data himself? Or was it stolen from the astronomer Hipparchus ~300 years earlier? This debate has divided the historical astronomical community for over 400 years. This class lays out the evidence.

The Flame Haired Stars

This class explores the history of comets throughout the SCA period looking at the understanding of what these objects were as well as how authors in period described several notable comets.

The Shapes in the Heavens

This class focuses on the period history of constellations that led to our current system. We'll explore their origins, how they were taught, and how they were depicted, throughout history.

Bardic

• History of Calontir through Song

Other

• Beginning Brewing

Activities

• Rattan fighting
• Bardic singing
• Mathematical & Observational Astronomy
• Costuming
• Brewing & Vinting
• Voice Heraldry

In Case of Court

No special preferences. Surprises are fine.

Other

Jon was responsible for the Shady Trees at Pennsic 2022.