Publisher's Synopsis
This book outlines what is known about the astronomical observations which survive from the ancient world. These are largely the work of two great civilizations: Babylon and China. Beginning in the 8th century BC, astronomers of both countries assidously watched the sky for many centuries.;Their main motive for star-gazing was astrological - the study of celestial omens. However, this did not prevent them for noting a wealth of celestial phenomena which are of great value to modern science. These include the sighting of eclipses of both the Sun and Moon, Halley's Comet and exploding stars. The book explains how the various records which ancient astronomers kept may be used in present day astronomical research.
