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Eclipse that ended a war and opened door to forecasting

Eclipse that ended a war and opened door to forecasting

In contrast to today, eclipses of the sun were feared as portents of calamity in ancient times. Then, superstition gave way to rational prediction.

William J. Broad

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In the northern spring of 585 BC in the Eastern Mediterranean, the moon came out of nowhere to hide the face of the sun, turning day into night.

Back then, solar eclipses were cloaked in scary uncertainty. But a Greek philosopher was said to have predicted the sun’s disappearance. His name was Thales.

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Original URL: https://www.afr.com/life-and-luxury/arts-and-culture/eclipse-that-ended-a-war-and-opened-door-to-forecasting-20240408-p5fi4u