Get ready for the eclipse that saved Columbus

[Celtkin]

The Moon will turn an eerie shade of red for people in the western hemisphere late Wednesday and early Thursday, recreating the eclipse that saved Christopher Columbus more than five centuries ago.

And an eclipse is credited with saving the life of Christopher Columbus and his crew in 1504.

Stranded on the coast of Jamaica, the explorers were running out of food and faced with increasingly hostile local inhabitants who were refusing to provide them with any more supplies.

Columbus, looking at an astronomical almanac compiled by a German mathematician, realised that a total eclipse of the Moon would occur on February 29, 1504.

He called the native leaders and warned them if they did not cooperate, he would make the Moon disappear from the sky the following night.

The warning, of course, came true, prompting the terrified people to beg Columbus to restore the Moon -- which he did, in return for as much food as his men needed. He and the crew were rescued on June 29, 1504.

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[finswin56]

I read that story last night, and really enjoyed the anecdote. Funny stuff that should be in a movie
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[Dolphan7]

"Uhhh your moon back for a little food?"

Classic!

[Dolphin39]

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I love astronomy stuff like this...thanks for the heads up on it.
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[FINintheMOON]

Man after my own heart!!! NO LIKE THAT CELT!!!
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I mean the time that you have spent and learning this stuff. I knew this as well and was surprised to see this post!
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[Pagan]

It's interesting how a primitive people can be led to believe something that's not entirely what it seems to be.
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[Celtkin]

It's interesting how a primitive people can be led to believe something that's not entirely what it seems to be.
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Indeed :wink:

[Coral Reefer]

It's interesting how a primitive people can be led to believe something that's not entirely what it seems to be.
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Great story Celt.

Thanks for posting.

Thankfully Pagan, today our advanced society is full of such highly educated people we don't have to worry about any of them being duped by such tactics........
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[Mike13]

Whata lucky guy huh?

1) First he runs into America by accident.

2) He tricks some Indians into thinking he could make the moon dissapear.

[Joker2thief]

not lucky for all the people he slaughtered or enslaved