[HPFGU-OTChatter] Re: Astronomical Errors (was:Clay Shirky on social software

[Shaun Hately]

On 6 Jul 2003 at 23:05, Catlady (Rita Prince Winston) wrote:

> --- In HPFGU-OTChatter at yahoogroups.com, "Shaun Hately" <drednort at a...> 
> wrote:
>
> Perhaps they will be added to the list of worthwhile posters when 
> recommended by a known worthwhile posters who DOES read their posts, 
> or from becoming known in chat..

Yes, could happen - my point is though, that I think these things are 
concerned and as I don't think most people want to see the list become 
cliquish, it's something worth considering. 

> I not only saw it, I read it, but what is there to say? The 
> Potterverse is in an alternate universe with wildly different 
> astronomy, as well as calendars. I think no one has yet found any 
> year in history with all the Full Moons matching the ones in any one 
> of the HP books, year after year September 1st is on a Sunday, and I 
> think someone found one of the books has two Mondays in a row.   

Yes, but the thing is previous posts on the astronomical issues in the other 
books have attracted comment. Some people do seem to consider this is a 
real issue for some reason. I'm not one of them - but as someone who did 
train as an astronomer, working out these details is something I can do for 
those who are interested (the stuff in that post wasn't actually that 
complicated - mostly just basic positioning - it gets complicated when I try 
to work out how bright Mars actually was on a particular night). It doesn't 
worry me if it doesn't get much comment - I'm certain the issue will come 
up at some point, and I've done the work now.

Incidentally - August 27 this year should send the centaurs insane. Mars 
will be brighter in our skies than it has been in at least 50,000 years - 
probably closer to 600,000 years.

Yours Without Wax, Dreadnought
Shaun Hately |webpage: http://www.alphalink.com.au/~drednort/thelab.html
(ISTJ)       |email: drednort at alphalink.com.au | ICQ: 6898200 
"You know the very powerful and the very stupid have one thing in 
common. They
don't alter their views to fit the facts. They alter the facts to fit
the views. Which can be uncomfortable if you happen to be one of the
facts that need altering." The Doctor - Doctor Who: The Face of Evil
Where am I: Frankston, Victoria, Australia