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Eclipses

In Our Time

CHAPTER

From Omens to Science: The Journey of Eclipses

This chapter investigates the historical perception of eclipses, starting from ancient interpretations in cultures like China and Babylon to their eventual scientific understanding in the Renaissance. It highlights key figures such as Kepler and Newton, who shifted the narrative from viewing eclipses as divine messages to recognizing them as natural phenomena with scientific significance. The chapter culminates in the pivotal 1919 solar eclipse, which provided critical evidence for Einstein's theory of general relativity, marking a turning point in both astronomy and public perception of science.

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