[SCA-BMDL] OT: Astronomy question

[Hayeslip, Roxann]

Greetings --

Yes, indeed it is possible to identify years by identifying the stars in
the sky, and there relative positions, and this has been done for
Chinese scrolls and other historical documents. Comets are particularly
useful.

I would not positively identify something that did not show a nebula
without identifying the constellations that did show.

My husband is an amateur astronomer, and has programs that go both
forward and backwards in time to show the heavens from wherever you
happen to be.

Is there a particular problem you need help with? I can forward it on,
and if he can't help he can ask others.

(Commercial pitch:)

We are members of the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh
(http://www.3ap.org/) which, among other activities, holds FREE public
star parties during which anyone who wants to can come to one of the
club's two observatories and observe the heavens with a knowledgeable
guide to lead you.

This weekend there will be a star party at Wagman Observatory in Deer
Lakes Park, where at least twenty club members will have their scopes
set up and aimed at different objects in the sky -- so you can take a
tour of the universe just by walking up and down! All are welcome! For
more info and directions to the event, just hop to the club's website.

Thank you for your attention, and we return you now to your regularly
scheduled email......

(End commercial pitch:)

Rocky Hayeslip


-----Original Message-----
From: sca-bmdl-bounces at lists.andrew.cmu.edu
[mailto:sca-bmdl-bounces at lists.andrew.cmu.edu] On Behalf Of Wolfgang
Guntherson
Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2007 12:38 AM
To: sca-bmdl at lists.andrew.cmu.edu
Subject: [SCA-BMDL] OT: Astronomy question

Greetings,

     I have a small question for the more scientific minded here on the
list.  

     Is it possible for someone to figure out what year it is by the
position of the stars and planets?

     For instance, if you were shown a star chart from the year 1200 AD
without being told what year it was, is there some way you could figure
it out?

     If you cannot do so by the positions of the stars and planets, are
there celestial events that you could use.  For instance, it is recorded
that a certain nebula was not visible on earth before 1400 AD, so if you
see a chart that does not show that nebula, then you knw the chart is
from before 1400?

Thank you for your patience,

Herr Wolfgang Guentherssohn


       
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