Eclipse story from ancient China likely a myth

Historians question a widely shared story about two Chinese astronomers, Hsi and Ho, who were supposedly beheaded in 2134 B.C.E. for failing to predict an eclipse.

Though the tale appears in historical texts and continues to circulate today, scholars like David Pankenier at Lehigh University believe the story is mythical, with no evidence to support the existence of the astronomers themselves. Ancient Chinese astronomers held significant responsibility, tasked with connecting celestial events to earthly affairs and advising rulers.

They kept detailed observational records as early as the third or fourth century B.C.E., demonstrating their skill at tracking the night sky. However, predicting eclipses proved difficult until the Han dynasty (206 B.C.E. to 220 C.E.), meaning astronomers in 2134 B.C.E. would not have been able to foresee them. Some researchers, including Christopher Cullen at the University of Cambridge, suggest the story may not even be about an eclipse.

Early accounts are unclear, and Cullen believes the tale may refer to errors in managing the lunisolar calendar, expecting a new moon that did not appear. Regardless of the exact event, Alexus McLeod of Indiana University Bloomington notes that court astronomers faced real political risks, and punishment for negligence was plausible. The story likely serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of their duties.