A new study, published in Astrophysical Journal Letters, reveals the significance of ancient Chinese chronicles for modern science. By analyzing records of a total solar eclipse in 709 BCE, an international team of scientists was able not only to refine Earth’s rotation parameters but also to gain a more detailed understanding of solar activity in the early 1st millennium BCE. A key element was the description of the eclipse in Chinese sources as a “completely yellow” Sun. Professor Matthew Owens interprets this as evidence of observing a bright solar corona, indicating high stellar activity. Comparing these observations with data from radiocarbon analysis of tree rings and isotopes in ice cores allowed researchers to establish that the eclipse occurred at the peak of an 11-year solar cycle, following a period of low activity (the “Homeric Minimum”). Thus, the Chinese record serves as an important independent source for calibrating modern solar models. Additionally, refining the location of the ancient capital of Lu enabled a more precise calculation of the lunar shadow’s trajectory and a correction of data on Earth’s diurnal rotation in the 8th century BCE, accounting for accumulated tidal decelerations. This research demonstrates how an interdisciplinary approach, combining astronomy, history, and archaeology, can yield new insights into the past.
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