Reply to : Laren Dart

>> I'm aware of Stephenson's work, but haven't seen his book. I'm sure

the Lick library has it, but the trip to UCSC campus is a bit much for me
now. Guess I'll have to buy a copy if it's still available, but I imagine
it's pretty expensive. <<

Yes, it was about 90 pounds sterling when I bought it about three years
ago.

>> Example: there was an eclipse at Babylon in 136 B.C. but the closest I

can pin down the location of Babylon is "near" el Hillah, Iraq. "Near"
won't cut it. And also, was it observed in Babylon itself, or "somewhere"
in Babylonia? Exact locations are the hardest part! (Does Stephenson's book
have them?) <<

Where known from the ancient records. The eclipse of 15th. April 136 BC
is very extensively covered in the book, as it is described in two separate
texts in the British Museum, BM 34034 and BM 45745. It was indeed observed
from the city of Babylon (32.55 deg. N 44.42 deg. E) and so it is possible
to set upper and lower bounds for delta T of 11210 < delta T < 12140
seconds, which gives a 4% tolerance. Stars and planets (Mercury, Venus,
Mars and Jupiter) were seen, indicating that the eclipse must have been
total from Babylon.

>> Sorry for the slow response, Richard. I'm trying to get stuff together

on the Anyang eclipse, will put up a pointer in a couple of days to see if
there is any interest here. And, just for the record, my interest lies
strictly in astronomy, not astrology or biblical archaeology. ;-> <<

I shall be most interested in anything you have to say. I'm sure that
you would gain a great deal from Stephenson's book, even if you can borrow
it.

Richard.


E-mail from: Richard Mallett, 14-Jun-2001