Re: VMs: Re: Pleiades

["Robert Teague" <rteague@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> I presume that on 30 Dec. 1615 the moon is indeed in
> the Pleiades. 

Correct. I can make up a .jpg of it and send it to you,
if you like. I already have one of 29 Dec.

> If that event is shown in the VMs,
> it must have been a prediction. Such events could
> definitely be predicted sufficiently accurately
> in the middle ages. I do wonder if there are any
> records of its interest, and the interest in 
> predicting it, in historical astronomical works.

None that I'm aware of. I have the feeling it was
something significant to the Author.
 
> I also wonder how often it happens. I know it is
> quite rare, but presumably, in a hundred years,
> it will happen several times.

Well, the Moon slowly changes its position relative
to the background stars north and south over a period
of 20 years or so. At its furthest south, it eclipses the
Hyades, and farthest north the Pleiades, so it's not a
particularly rare event.

Robert
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