From: "Andy Robertson" <andywrobertson@clara.co.uk>
Subject: Re: (whorl) Rudesind and the moon
Date: Wed, 9 Jan 2002 16:02:23 -0000

Yeah, good point.

Today we say the dynamics of the Earth-Moon system is chaotic and its
evolution cannot be predicted.

When Wolfe wrote TBOTNS the consensus was still that the orbit could be
predicted, and that the moon was slowly being driven furthur from the earth
by tidal forces.

Why Wolfe wrote it was "closer in" I don't know.   Maybe he knew its orbit
was changing but got the sign wrong.

I read Rudesind's statement merely as a hint that massve amounts of time
have passed:


    Andy R

----- Original Message -----
From: "maa32" <maa32@dana.ucc.nau.edu>
> and Rudesind the curator says,
> "Now it is, yes [more fertile].  This was done before they got it
irigated.
> See that gray-brown?  In those times, that's what you'd see if you looked
up
> at her.  Not green like she is now.  DIDN'T SEEM SO BIG EITHER, because it
> wasn't so close in - what's what old Branwallader used to say.  Now
there's
> trees enough on it to hide Nilammon, as the saw goes."