The Enigmatic World of Eclipses

Course Overview: This course offers an in-depth exploration into the celestial mechanics and mathematical models fundamental to predicting eclipses. It bridges historical astronomical theories with modern computational methods, providing learners with a comprehensive understanding of how eclipses have been predicted through the ages and how current technology allows for unprecedented precision.

Course Objectives:

• Understand the basic principles of celestial mechanics involved in eclipse prediction
• Explore Kepler’s Laws of Planetary Motion and their application to celestial orbits
• Delve into Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation and its role in modeling celestial movements
• Discover the significance of the Saros cycle in eclipse prediction
• Learn to use ephemerides for calculating celestial positions
• Apply mathematical models and computational methods to predict future eclipses