Earliest Forecast of Lunar Eclipses Recorded in China

Home>>Life

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, June 26, 2002

Earliest Forecast of Lunar Eclipses Recorded in China

A 1,500-year-old calendar has beenfound to contain China's earliest prediction's of lunar eclipses.

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

A 1,500-year-old calendar has beenfound to contain China's earliest prediction's of lunar eclipses.

This lunar calendar, found in Dunhuang Grottos, northwest China's Gansu province, precisely predicted the dates of eclipses on February 16 and August 16 in 451 BC, though the exact times were not given, scientists said.

Experts with the Dunhuang Research Institute ruled out the possibility that the "forecasts" were recorded after the eclipses had occurred.

Since the eclipses happened at noon on February 16 and around midnight or 2 a.m. on August 16 in 451 BC, the eclipse at noon could not be observed by the naked eye, or recorded in common calendars, according to experts.

Furthermore, documental experts noted, the calendar's handwriting was constant and the forms looked very consistent, which would exclude the possibility of post-elipse revision.

According to historians and documental experts, ancient lunar calendars were compiled one year in advance and this calendar is the earliest ever found in the world-renowned Dunhuang Grottos andthe only one found during the Northern Dynasties (386 BC-550 BC).

Questions?Comments? Click here

Uncle Sam's Policy to Cross-Straits Ties against Its Own Interests ( 36 Messages)

Englishman Hired as Chief Advisor of Yunnan Provincial Government ( 67 Messages)

Home-made Auto Sales Head for 3 Million in 2002 ( 22 Messages)

South Korea Beat Spain 5-3 in Shootout to Enter World Cup Semis ( 11 Messages)

Chinese Scientists to Head for Suspected ET Relics ( 8 Messages)