As part of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics Seminar Series, Professor of Mathematics Henryk Fukś will present a lecture on the theme of the upcoming total solar eclipse, entitled “Solar and lunar cycles in the construction of the Gregorian Calendar.” Students, Faculty, Staff and members of the Brock community are invited to attend. The talk will take place in South Block, room STH 216 from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM on Thursday, April 4th, 2024.

Abstract
On February 24, 1582, Pope Gregory XIII issued the bull “Inter gravissimas” introducing the new calendar, later called Gregorian. It is well known that the calendar reform corrected the average length of the year to make it closer to the astronomical solar year, but it is not so widely known that the Gregorian reform also corrected the way moon phases are calculated for the purpose of determining the day of Easter and for other liturgical purposes.