Photo: Eclipses in Ancient China Spurred Science, Beheadings?

Email to a Friend << Back to Full Story


Imperial Chinese watch and revere a solar eclipse in an illustration from The History of China and India by Julia Corner.

A total solar eclipse will be visible in parts of China on August 1, 2008.

The Chinese have chronicled solar eclipses for more than four millennia, with myths, politics, and possibly a fear of beheading driving the earliest innovations in prediction techniques.

Photo by Time Life Pictures/Mansell/Getty Images

MOST VIEWED NEWS

PICTURES: 2012 Doomsday Myths Debunked

2012: Six End-of-the-World Myths Debunked

APOCALYPSE PICTURES: 10 Failed Doomsday Prophecies
NEWS FEEDS    After installing a news reader, click on this icon to download National Geographic News's XML/RSS feed. After installing a news reader, click on this icon to download National Geographic News's XML/RSS feed.

Get our news delivered directly to your desktop—free.
How to Use XML or RSS

ADVERTISEMENT

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC'S PHOTO OF THE DAY

Today's National Geographic Photo of the Day

• Today's Photo

• Download as Wallpaper

50 Drives of a Lifetime

National Geographic Traveler has scoured the globe for the world's most beautiful, interesting, and off-beat road trips. Dive in to get drive directions, quizzes, photos, and more.