<HTML>Joanne wrote:
>
> Dave, the correct date (Julian) for the vernal equinoc
> in 4000 BCE is April 22. As I said the sun is in Taurus and
> Sky Map shows that. The sun at equinox rises due east --
> spring and fall -- at 90 degrees. The brightest stars
> generally disappear about 20 minutes before sunrise but that
> varies with star magnitude and the local horizon affects the
> point at which objects rising can be seen.
>
> Home astronomy programs have some limitations, but can do a
> lot. All calculations become less certain the further back
> you go in time. The Egyptians did not know the stars in Leo
> as "Leo" but as decan stars with other names and other
> qualities, something Hancock ignores totally. You really
> don't need to see what was rising to refute his idea of Leo
> and the sphinx.
Indeed not, but it is very interesting, and in my mind, adds icing onto the cake of the refutation of the Sphinx/Leo episode...
Best Regards,
Dave</HTML>
