Year 37 of Nebuchadnezzar II
Most extensive verifiable astronomical diaray, this is a perfect anchor for dating archological findings and could mark a transistion point between pre-history and history.
Month I, day 1 “The moon became visible behind the Bull of Heaven.” sunset-to-moonset of 22/23 April 568 BCE.
behind: west of
in front of: east of
Month I, ~12th (or 11th) (ca. 01/05/568 BC)
Moon was near the star Beta Virginis in the constellation Virgo — relative lunar-star position recorded.
Month I, “Saturn was in front of the Swallow.”
Planet Saturn located in the region Babylon calls the “Swallow,” corresponding with Pisces).
Month II, day 3 “Mars entered Praesepe.”
Planet Mars moved into the area of the sky identified as Praesepe (the Beehive Cluster), placing Mars against constellation Cancer.
Month II, day 5 “Mars went out of Praesepe.”
Lunar Eclipse on 4 July 568 BCE or 15th day of month III (Simanu)
Month II, day 10 “Mercury rose in the west behind the Little Twins …”
Mercury comes out of a superior conjunction(was hidden behind the sun) located in Gemini
Month II, day 18 “Venus was balanced 1 cubit 4 fingers below α Leonis.”
Month III, 1st (first of month) “The moon became visible behind Cancer.”
New-moon crescent (or first lunar visibility) observed near the constellation Cancer — marking start of lunar month; moonrise after conjunction likely near Cancer.
Month III (same time) “At that time, Mars and Mercury were 4 cubits in front of α [Leonis …]”
Mars and Mercury both positioned near the star Alpha Leonis (Regulus / Leo region), roughly same longitude — indicating close conjunction/approximate alignment with Regulus / Leo.
Month III (unspecified) “Jupiter was above α Scorpii.”
Jupiter observed near the star Alpha Scorpii (Antares) in the constellation Scorpius — defining Jupiter’s position against Scorpio.
Month XI, 1st of month (identical with 30th previous) “The moon became visible in the Swallow.”
Moon’s first crescent of that lunar month, seen in the region called the “Swallow,” a Babylonian asterism — likely corresponding to part of Pisces (or nearby), marking new lunar month.
Month XI, same month “Jupiter was 1 cubit behind the elbow of Sagittarius.”
Jupiter positioned just trailing the “elbow” stars of Sagittarius — giving Jupiter’s approximate longitude near that part of the zodiac.
Month XII, 1st (after preceding month’s 30th) “The moon became visible behind Aries while the sun stood there.”
New-moon or first lunar visibility near the constellation Aries — moon-sun conjunction, marking the start of the lunar month.