70th day of the year, 12th day of the lunar cycle
Sunset 7:29 – Sunrise tomorrow 7:44
LON 12:15 – LOD 11:44
Moonrise today 4:56 PM – Moonset tomorrow 7:08 AM
On this date in 2020 the World Health Organization COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic.
Sky watchers have tracked lunar eclipses since ancient times; both the Chinese and the Maya, for instance kept careful tables of such occurrences.
On the evening of 29 Feb 1504 in the Americas (1 Mar elsewhere), Christopher Columbus using his astronomical tables famously tricked the inhabitants of Jamaica. Stranded on the island and desperately needing food from the native Arawak, Columbus consulted his almanacs and noted that a total lunar eclipse was due. He told the Arawak that God was displeased with them and would darken the moon with this wrath. Sure enough, as predicted and on schedule, the moon turned the characteristic bloody red of a lunar eclipse. The Arawak were both impressed and frightened, and promised complete aid if only God would relent. Columbus went into his cabin to pray. About an hour before the end of totality he emerged to proclaim the Arawak would be forgiven. When the moon began to appear normal Columbus was relieved to tell the Arawak God had pardoned them.
And thus we see how a clever man can profit by pretending to be an intercessor.
Or we see how a resourceful man who indeed worshipped the Christian God was blessed with the knowledge and skill necessary to manipulate his captors in order to save himself and friends from perishing.
Which is it? The Lady, or the Tiger? Somewhere in between or something else entirely?
Note: many historians are skeptical of the accuracy of this story.
References
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March_1504_lunar_eclipse
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lady,_or_the_Tiger%3F
[3] National Geographic Backyard Guide to the Night Sky, 2nd Edition, Andrew Fazekas
