<p>Wondering how to calculate the following in a general way:</p>

<ul>
<li>Sunrise/sunset</li>
<li>Equinoxes/solstices</li>
<li>Moon phases</li>
<li>Planetary positions</li>
</ul>

<p>For hundreds to thousands of years ago. Wondering what the calculation is, or where I go about figuring it out.</p>

<p>I would like to be able to say, in 1541 on Jan 1 the sun rose at x time, Jupiter was in y position, etc.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-05-29T22:24:19.940Z
If you seriously want to do this from scratch, take a look at *Astronomical Algorithms* by Jean Meeus. Otherwise, learn Python and use [Astropy](https://www.astropy.org/about.html). In either case, be prepared to devote some time to learning the necessary background information.
PM 2Ring
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-05-30T03:34:47.817Z
For Python you can also use [Skyfield](https://rhodesmill.org/skyfield/) since it is based on pre-calculated ephemerides provided by NASA/JPL. WIth a few lines of Python you can calculate all kinds of conjunctions and positions in the sky.
uhoh
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-05-30T03:35:46.027Z
I think there should be a good answer to this question [here](https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/a/13009/7982) **and especially [here](https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/a/13489/7982).**
uhoh
<amateur-observing><positional-astronomy><equinox><solstice>
How to calculate planetary positions hundreds or thousands of years ago
Lokasa Mawati
# How to calculate planetary positions hundreds or thousands of years ago

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-05-29)

Wondering how to calculate the following in a general way:

* Sunrise/sunset
* Equinoxes/solstices
* Moon phases
* Planetary positions

For hundreds to thousands of years ago. Wondering what the calculation is, or where I go about figuring it out.

I would like to be able to say, in 1541 on Jan 1 the sun rose at x time, Jupiter was in y position, etc.

**Tags:** amateur-observing, positional-astronomy, equinox, solstice
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: If you seriously want to do this from scratch, take a look at *Astronomical Algorithms* by Jean Meeus. Otherwise, learn Python and use [Astropy](https://www.astropy.org/about.html). In either case, be prepared to devote some time to learning the necessary background information.  
> **username_2**: For Python you can also use [Skyfield](https://rhodesmill.org/skyfield/) since it is based on pre-calculated ephemerides provided by NASA/JPL. WIth a few lines of Python you can calculate all kinds of conjunctions and positions in the sky.  
> **username_2**: I think there should be a good answer to this question [here](https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/a/13009/7982) **and especially [here](https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/a/13489/7982).**  

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## 0 answers

