Earth deceleration from ancient solar eclipses (original) (raw)
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Abstract
Thirty-two ancient solar eclipse reports have been analyzed to determine the secular decrease in angular velocity of the earth. Seventeen are from Chinese reports in the literature. The computation, based upon Ephemeris Time and recently adopted astronomical constants, is described and the eclipse records discussed. Scatter in the computed mean acceleration indicates that some reports are erroneous or misinterpreted. The values group about -1.7 x 10-10 (acceleration divided by velocity). Secular trends in the earth accelera- tion are noted, although ambiguous.
Publication:
The Astronomical Journal
Pub Date:
May 1966
DOI:
Bibcode: