The Total Solar Eclipse of A.D. 1641 November 3 and the Δt Value

MA Lihua

doi:10.2478/arsa-2026-0003

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The Total Solar Eclipse of A.D. 1641 November 3 and the Δt Value

Artificial Satellites

Volume 61 (2026): Issue 3 (October 2026)

By: MA Lihua

Open Access

|Oct 2026

Abstract

The astronomical observation records in Chinese ancient documents, including historical books and local chronicles from ancient time, are of significant importance for astronomical research. Observation records of solar and lunar eclipses, as well as lunar occultations in historical literature, can be used to study secular change in the Earth’s variable rotation. The Local Chronicle of Jingzhou Prefecture in the Qing Dynasty recorded a total solar eclipse that occurred on A.D. 1641 November 3. In the local chronicles of Zhijiang County and Yidu County under Jingzhou Prefecture, namely, Zhijiang County History and Yidu County History, there were also textual records about the total solar eclipse. Combined with modern astronomical planetary ephemeris, the authors calculate solar eclipse path of this solar eclipse and study the secular change in the Earth’s variable rotation. In the end of this work, observable time of the solar eclipse in Shaoxing Prefecture at that time is analyzed.

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Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/arsa-2026-0003 | Journal eISSN: 2083-6104 | Journal ISSN: 1509-3859 (formerly 0208-841X)

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Language: English

Page range: 35 - 46

Submitted on: Sep 30, 2025

Accepted on: Jul 16, 2026

Published on: Oct 10, 2026

Published by: Polish Academy of Sciences, Space Research Centre

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Keywords:

astronomical observation records,

total solar eclipse,

Earth’s variable rotation,

astronomical planetary ephemeris

Related subjects:

Geosciences,

Geosciences, other

© 2026 MA Lihua, published by Polish Academy of Sciences, Space Research Centre
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Volume 61 (2026): Issue 3 (October 2026)