Kapel, Martin

Dr. Martin Kapel earned his Ph.D. from the University of Birmingham. During his working years, he was engaged in research in industrial and academic fields and also did some teaching. As a result of his research, he is the author and co-author of a number of papers in various scientific journals. In addition, Dr. Kapel has acted as external examiner in a number of universities, and has served on a number of committees of national and international scientific organisations. He retired in 1995.

Structure and Mathematics of the Principal Calendars of the Western World

2006 0-7734-5953-7
This monograph studies the history/structure and mathematics of calendars used in those parts of the world west of the Indian subcontinent. The book begins with a brief account of the origins of calendars, the sparse information being supported by references to biblical and other ancient sources. After this, there is an explanation of the astronomical basis of time measurement. The remainder of the book includes information on the structures of a number of ancient calendars, while those used in more modern times are explained in detail, and precise instructions, including worked examples, are given for the conversion of dates to the Gregorian calendar and for the calculation of Christian, Jewish and Muslim holy days.