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From: thomas@utah-gr.UUCP (Spencer W. Thomas)
Newsgroups: net.astro
Subject: Re: Occultations, conjunctions, and the like
Message-ID: <1602@utah-gr.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 18-Oct-85 14:43:35 EDT
Article-I.D.: utah-gr.1602
Posted: Fri Oct 18 14:43:35 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 21-Oct-85 07:07:27 EDT
References: <2195@brl-tgr.ARPA>
Reply-To: thomas@utah-gr.UUCP (Spencer W. Thomas)
Distribution: net
Organization: Univ of Utah CS Dept
Lines: 21

In article <2195@brl-tgr.ARPA> wmartin@brl-tgr.ARPA (Will Martin ) writes:
>Why does there seem to be so much interest among astronomy popularizers or
>amateur skygazers regarding the common and inevitable patterns that
>appear to us on the Earth's surface from the various positions of
>astronomical bodies? 
>I know that someone is going to say that the masses cannot understand
>such esoterica, and that we have to talk simplistically to catch their
>interest. To that I say "bull!". That level of people don't pay
>attention to ANY astronomical discussion, and wouldn't know an orbit
>from an asteroid. 

I know a great number of intelligent, educated people who are interested
in astronomical phenomena, but who don't keep track of the positions of
plantets &c.  For these people, the information in "StarDate" is a
useful pointer to finding points of interest in the sky.

-- 
=Spencer   ({ihnp4,decvax}!utah-cs!thomas, thomas@utah-cs.ARPA)
	"When wrath runs rampage in your heart you must hold still
	 that rambunctions tongue!" - Sappho