By Basant El-Faramawy
Ancient Chinese records of a solar eclipse in 709 BC have provided new insights into the history of Earth's rotation, according to recent research.
Historical observations
Chinese astronomers documented the eclipse more than 2,700 years ago, preserving details that modern scientists have used to refine models of how the planet's spin has changed over millennia.
Implications for geophysics
The findings adjust previous estimates of the rate at which Earth's rotation has been slowing, offering a more precise timeline for geological and astronomical calculations.
