When particle physicist John Huth was briefly lost at sea, he started to wonder how the people around the world who navigate vast oceans figured their way around. What started as an afternoon activity gone awry led him to a years-long research journey, meeting many Pacific Islanders, expert navigators, and other researchers, hoping to crack the puzzle of open ocean navigation. And the key to all of it lies in these ancient stick charts, a non-writing form of communication passed down for generations. Here’s how these charts and the observations of expert navigators are teaching physics researchers all about the motion of the ocean.

Hosted by: Madelyn Leembruggen (she/her

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