Ancient Ugarit eclipse on Amarna Tablet KTU-1.78 based on proleptic retro-calculation

Ancient Ugarit eclipse on Amarna Tablet KTU-1.78 based on proleptic retro-calculation

Amarna tablet designated KTU-1.78 describes a rare descending eclipse on the first day of the lunar month – at sunset;

The day of the new moon of Hiyyaru was put to shame as the sun (goddess) set, with Rashap as her gatekeeper.

Slide 1 – 1012 BC ugarit eclipse recorded on amarna tablet ktu-1.78

Proleptic retro-calculation assumes the celestial orbits of the past match those of the currently observable solar system to date a rare sunset total eclipse in 1012 BC descending in conjunction closest with ancient position of Rashap the once giant star in the Crab Nebula that went supernova 2000 years later. Less obvious in appearance to the brightness of Rashap the then giant star, would have been the conjunction of Jupiter, Mars and Mercury (as much more distant “gatekeeper attendants”).

Slide 2 – 1375 BC

At first mistaken for the oldest surviving recorded eclipse 1375 BC can be ruled out as being contemporary with the Amarna tablet KTU-1.78 as it occurs ascending at 6:01am, this eclipse does not fit the setting sun event described in Amarna tablet KTU-1.78

Slide 3 – 1223 BC

Also not a matching contender occurring in 1223 BC when almost at the zenith of the sun’s path, Mars – not the then ancient giant star Rashap appears visible around 13:50 Hrs, far too high in the middle of the day.

Slide 4 – 1192 BC

The 1192 BC eclipse occurring Jan 21 is too early in the year to be the month of Hiyyaru and did not appear closely in conjunction with the Rashap gatekeeper, the then giant star which no longer appears in our skies having since exploded super nova within the Crab Nebula.

The assumed proleptic match of the 1012 BC Ugarit eclipse combined with internal chronology within the Amarna tablet letters, would place this sighting just months after the death of Pharaoh Amenhotep III – late in the 11th regnal year of his son Aktenaten.

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