Message #38364

[Bianca]

The inscriptions on the Antikythera Mechanism have been deciphered to reveal theories for ancient planetary positions. The mechanism was used to predict and calculate lunar and solar eclipses on the basis of Babylonian arithmetic-progression cycles, according to the team's report. The mechanism also calculates lunar positions based on theories by the famous Greek astronomer Hipparchos for deciphering the Moon's elliptical orbit. The machine's ability to calculate sophisticated astronomical knowledge of the Moon's unusual orbit surprised the scientists. (Click here to watch Java Applet movies on HP Labs' site of the Antikythera Mechanism.)

--Text compiled by CNET News.com's Candace Lombardi

Credit: X-Tek


http://www.news.com/2300-11397_3-6139721-7.html?tag=ne.gall.pg