On Sun, 22 Oct 2000 14:19:05 +1000, Ben Balzer <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:

>I did find he mentioned that an ancient cave
painting
>of the constellation Pleiades had been found that included 4 stars that are
>regarded today as only visible with a telescope, and that astronomers had
>calculated they weren't any brighter in the Neanderthal days.
>
>Can anyone confirm or deny it the comment about Pacific Islanders??

Ben, I didn't hear of this, but what come to my mind is a general
problem
when watching stars today:
The biggest problem is the "pollution" of the night by artificial
light.
Stars are so low in light, that the smallest sidelight easyly can
spoil the
vision. (Besides actual air pollution).

When being on a small-populated island the vision is much better,
but even a small settlement a few miles away does have its impact.
How great must it be to see the night sky, beeing on a pacific island
in a moonless night an no artifucial light in even in some hundred
miles
distance.

regards

Amadeus
(who dislikes the nasty night illumination in his village.
paleo night ought to be DARK).