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From: mjs@eagle.UUCP (M.J.Shannon)
Newsgroups: net.astro
Subject: astrological software (FLAME ON)
Message-ID: <1301@eagle.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 29-Jul-85 08:17:35 EDT
Article-I.D.: eagle.1301
Posted: Mon Jul 29 08:17:35 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 31-Jul-85 03:07:34 EDT
Distribution: net
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Summit, NJ
Lines: 22

I don't believe Sunny is suggesting that any astronomers cast any horoscopes,
and I'm certainly not, but the reason I (strongly) support the inclusion of
astrological software in this group (or net.astro.software or whatever) is that
the bulk of astrological software deals with exactly what interests some
astronomers: geocentric positions of the planets.  The observing I do is Earth
based, thus geocentric positions are of great value.  There are also some
astrological programs out there that calculate geocentric positions of the
major asteroids.  (I know of at least one such program originally developed at
Cooper Union (NYC) and subsequently refined at Stevens' Institute of Technology
(Hoboken, NJ).)  I care nothing for the astrological value of such programs,
but the astronomical value is rather high.  (Don't argue, post your "pure"
astronomical code.  That's the only basis on which I may change my mind.)

I'm interested in the calculations, not horoscopes, and if some of you would
pull your noses off the ceiling, you might discover the usefulness of code
developed for astrology.  Haven't any of you ever used code from a program
whose purpose was unrelated to yours, just to save development time?  I try
to do so whenever possible -- why must we all reinvent the wheel?
-- 
	Marty Shannon
UUCP:	ihnp4!eagle!mjs
Phone:	+1 201 522 6063