Vertical alignment of Pedal signs

[Urs Liska]

How does LilyPond determine where to put pedal marks vertically?

See the attached image where the pedal mark is about 3cm below the 
staff. (note that the "a tempo" belongs to the next staff below)

There is a "Ped" at the other end of the system, which has to be very 
low because of low notes plus dynamics, but this shouldn't affect the * 
at the beginning of the line, isn't it?

Urs

opus-4-1.png
Description: PNG image