Trying to nail down 612 BCE as the date of Nineveh's destruction

[xero]

FYI I'm taking the time to map out the 13 positions

"While not all of these sets of lunar positions

match the year 568/567 B.C.E., all 13 sets match cal-
culated positions for 20 years earlier, for the year
588/587 B.C.E"

So I can see for myself.

 

 

[JW Insider]

19 hours ago, xero said:

Not so much. <inside joke>If you calculate 2520 years back from July 26, 1931, would be approximately July 26, 589 B.C.E</inside joke>

-589 [astron.] -- "July 26," 590 B.C.E. 😉

[Pudgy]

It’s sorta like if a doctor determines that YOU don’t have cancer.

Incredibly important to YOU.

On a global scale, no.

[Pudgy]

Well … that clears THAT up! (???????)

[xero]

7 hours ago, JW Insider said:

-589 [astron.] -- "July 26," 590 B.C.E. 😉

That's what you get for using chatgpt.

On the other hand gemini said this:

When a Babylonian astronomer says that a star is a cubit in front of the Moon, it means they are describing an angular distance as it appears in the sky, not a physical distance in space. Here's what this likely means:

• The Cubit as an Angular Measurement: Babylonians didn't have the same understanding of angles as we do today. They used the cubit, a traditional unit of length (roughly the length of a forearm, about 18 inches), as a way to describe angular separation in the sky.

• Visualizing the Cubit: Imagine holding your arm outstretched with your fist closed. The width of your fist at that distance approximates a cubit as an angular measurement.

• Position Relative to the Moon: When an astronomer described a star as one cubit in front of the Moon, they meant the star appeared roughly the width of your fist away from the Moon. The Moon itself is about half a degree in angular width, so a cubit was probably around 8-10 degrees of angular separation.

Important Considerations:

• Imprecise Measurement: This method of using cubits was a rough estimate, and not a precise measurement like we use today.
• Observer Dependent: The actual angular size of a cubit would vary slightly depending on the length of the individual's arm.
• Purpose: This type of description was likely used for general positional information or tracking the motion of celestial objects, rather than making exact calculations.

[Pudgy]

ChatGBT:

“The ancient Babylonians measured the angular separation of celestial bodies using a unit called "finger widths" or "fists." The Moon was considered to be about 12 finger widths wide, while an outstretched fist with the arm pointed at the sky was roughly equivalent to about 10 finger widths. So, the Moon was approximately 1.2 times wider than an outstretched fist in Babylonian astronomical measurement.”  This assumes you have a skinny hand and are not Pudgy. If you are Pudgy, you will not believe these numbers until you go outside and test it.

Results may vary for hoofs and paws.

 When measuring angular separation in the sky, it's typically done on a scale where the horizon is 0°, directly overhead (the zenith) is 90°, and the opposite horizon is 180°. So, if the moon's width is about half a degree, it's like saying it spans about 1/360th of the horizon's circumference when viewed from the observer's location.

THAT I can measure with my Topcon 20 second Theodolite to see if it is true. The Memorial is Sunday, March 24, this year, and the Moon will be full.

Perhaps there will be a clear sky about 10pm.

 

[Pudgy]

…

[xero]

Based on the available evidence, it is highly unlikely that a Babylonian astronomer would use "in front of" in the same way we might interpret it today, meaning left while facing north. Instead, the statement likely referred to:

1. Position along the Ecliptic: "In front of" most likely meant the object was located further east on the ecliptic path compared to the other object observed.

[Pudgy]

I guessed the same thing (?), that the expression “in front of” would mean ahead of the trajectory apparent of a heavenly body moving along its path apparent.

[xero]

"Imagine this:

• Stand facing north. The ecliptic path might appear to travel diagonally across your field of view, from somewhere on your left horizon to somewhere on your right horizon.
• An object "in front of" another, based on the ecliptic, wouldn't necessarily be to your left or right but along this diagonal path, likely east (further along the ecliptic) relative to the other object."
  
  So a relative "east" would be to the right of the object facing north...

[xero]

9 minutes ago, Pudgy said:

I guessed the same thing (?), that the expression “in front of” would mean ahead of the trajectory apparent of a heavenly body moving along its path apparent.

I'm trying to translate the babylonian astronomer's observations to this software program.

[Pudgy]

Sometimes … a scholarly treatise on the dead unicorn in your bathtub is best done with a chain saw.