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Old June 8th 18, 09:01 AM posted to sci.astro.amateur
Gerald Kelleher
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Default The proportion of 1461 rotations to 4 orbital circuits

Formatted as 365 rotations to 1 orbital circuit for three years and 366 rotations for one year, this represents the great achievement of predictive astronomy and the basis for both the Ptolemaic an RA/Dec astronomies. Unfortunately, since the late 17th century via RA/Dec, the fudging to make the Earth's motions fit into this 365/366 rotation scheme has disrupted the links between planetary motions and terrestrial sciences.

The raw structure is very close to 1461 rotations to four orbital circuits or 365 1/4 for one orbital circuit based on the core observation which defines the orbital position of the Earth around the Sun, in this case the observation that the great star Sirius is seen far enough to one side of the central Sun to be seen after been absent from view for a number of months. The intricacies of this orbital and annual event will always be there for those who appreciate it or not and in respect and humility to that astronomer in antiquity who first made the discovery which is the basis of timekeeping astronomy -

".. on account of the procession of the rising of Sirius by one day in the course of 4 years,.. therefore it shall be, that the year of 360 days and the 5 days added to their end, so one day shall be from this day after every 4 years added to the 5 epagomenae before the new year" Canopus Decree 238 BC

This is only the beginning of a journey for those of integrity and dignity, after all, the 1461 to 4 proportion is close but not exact therefore the precession of the equinoxes joins in as a spectacle. In a world where people can say whatever they want in a form of intellectual anarchy, some may wish to retreat to a stable environment which offers the observer a thousand times more satisfaction than the effort put into becoming familiar with the technical and historical principles.