"Important days in history of universe "

[krispos42]

Important days in history of universe

By Lawrence M. Krauss

(Mental Floss) -- 1. July 4, 1054 -- Day the sky Got brighter

July 4th was a significant day long before America started celebrating it. It also marks the first time on record that a new object appeared in the constellation Taurus -- an object so bright it could be seen in the daytime sky.

Not surprisingly, people around the world couldn't help but take notice. Chinese astronomers labeled it a "guest star" and noted that, at night, it shone almost four times brighter than Venus. They soon began speculating that its appearance heralded the Emperor at the time, Jen Tsung.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the globe, the Anasazi Indians of western North America may also have noticed the star. Archeologists believe images carved into Arizona rocks from that era depict the same mysterious phenomenon.

But one group of people left no record of having witnessed the "guest star" -- the Europeans. It's speculated they considered it heretical to suggest that anything in the night sky was not eternal.

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http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/wayoflife/01/01/important.days/index.html

There are nine more interesting dates in the list. It's good reading.

Note that already, in 1054, religious fundamentalism was fucking with science. The Christians of the time, who lived by the sun and moon and stars, had to look up, see a glaringly-bright new star in the familiar constellations, and say "it's not there. Nope, don't see it at all."

Incredible.

[CGowen]

1. Wasn't 500-1000 AD the Dark Age, were not so many records exist unlike before or after ? n/t

[krispos42]

2. The Catholic Church kept records

They were the only large group of literate people in Europe. If the Church decided not to record it, it wasn't recorded.

The Church was very obsessed with the idea of the perfection of the heavens, remember. They didn't apologize about Galileo until 1996!

[CGowen]

3. Some say that 1054 is the year when the church split (east-west)

Maybe they had other things to do, and I'm not sure if everything they recorded is properly published or analyzed. I once heard they have kilometers of shelves in the Vatican.

[krispos42]

4. It was probably reported, then hidden as "heretical"

Can't have mankind questioning the perfection of the Heavens, can we?

I imagine some sort of special Papal commission was established to deterime the theological ramifications of the event. And the research and report were all confidential because it was "troubling".

[lynnertic]

5. Perhaps it wasn't visible that far North?

[Bill McBlueState]

6. no, it was in Taurus

Taurus is visible from everywhere on Earth north of Antarctica.

[lynnertic]

7. Perhaps overcast skies prevented its observation?

The article doesn't say but suggests the supernova lasted more than one day, and I don't suppose a single system could've overcast all of Europe...