Old instruments
Canon of Eclipses
Direct answer
Canon of Eclipses is a systematically calculated list of solar or lunar eclipses across a long span of dates.
Canon of Eclipses is a chronological eclipse catalogue used in historical astronomy, timekeeping, or navigation.
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At a glance
- Found in
- Historical Almanacs & Instruments
- Related
- Volvelle, Calendar Wheel, Meridian Table, Transit Table
Canon of Eclipses is a chronological eclipse catalogue used in historical astronomy, timekeeping, or navigation.
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The story behind Canon of Eclipses
Eclipse canons became major reference works for astronomers and historians comparing calculated events with records.
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Why Canon of Eclipses matters
Canon of Eclipses matters because it supports historical chronology and recurrence study by placing individual eclipses in a consistent computed sequence.
How to read Canon of Eclipses
Read Canon of Eclipses by checking the catalogue's time scale, geographic convention, eclipse numbering, and adopted solar and lunar models.
Canon of Eclipses in practice: an example
A historian can test whether a recorded darkening could match a calculated eclipse visible from the described region.
Where readings of Canon of Eclipses go wrong
A computed eclipse date alone does not prove that a disputed historical account describes that event.
Sources and editorial method
Research references used for this entry include:
- U.S. Naval Observatory: Astronomical Applications Data Services - Authoritative services for positions, rise and set data, phases, seasons, eclipses, and astronomical dates.
- Source
- The Great Almanac Dictionary
- Category
- Historical Almanacs & Instruments
- Last updated
- 2026-09-26
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Common questions
What is Canon of Eclipses?
Canon of Eclipses is a systematically calculated list of solar or lunar eclipses across a long span of dates.
What do people get wrong about Canon of Eclipses?
A computed eclipse date alone does not prove that a disputed historical account describes that event.
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