<HTML>I've been trying my best to follow all the astronomical threads on this board and I have one question which I hope someone can clear up for me. I'm struggling with some complicated issues here so keep it simple please.
As I understand it Dr Kate Spence has suggested a method that the AE could have used to establish North (I am not using the phrase "True North" as this is another confusion). This method along with all other Sidereal based measurements would inevitably have reflected the effect of precession. Again, if I have got it right, by comparing the deviation from North in the alignment of various Pyramids you can deduce their age by calculating when the precession would have reflected that value.
I have also seen methods suggested to find North by using the sun. I remember an exercise at school when we found North by using a vertical pole. You mark the position of the tip of the shadow at frequent intervals throughout the day. Then you draw a line from the point closest to the pole back to the bottom of the pole, this line then points North. I suppose you could do it as many times as you liked over a period and average out the results for greater accuracy.
What I can't work out in my head is would a Solar method for finding North also reflect the effects of precession?
Jani</HTML>
