[meteorite-list] Ensisheim: What is the TRUE FALL DATE??

[Francis Graham]

Dear List,
   I do not know if this is a universally adopted
rule, even among scientists, but I have adopted the
following rule: dates before the Gregorian reform of
1582 are to be stated in the Julian system, dates
after the reform are to be stated in the Gregorian
System. I do not retroactively apply the Gregorian
system before 1582. Dates prior to Julius Caesar's
reform however are retroactively applied to all past
time. So all time prior to Oct 4, 1582 are given in
Julian Dates.
    NASA adopts this rule as well. In the "Five
Millennium Canon of Solar Eclipses" (2000 BCE-3000CE)
, NASA TP-2006-214141 , by Epspenak and Meeus.
    Now I have a question about Ensisheim: I heard
that the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I either
witnessed the fall, or visited the meteorite soon
thereafter. What is the correct story with the Holy
Roman Emperor?
    And: has any head of state been known to witness a
meteorite fall?

 Francis Graham
Francis Graham
Kent State University


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