Special meteoric phenomena recorded in ancient Chinese documents and their modern confirmation

Abstract

In the documents of ancient China there are a vast amount of observational records on meteors and meteoric showers, of which the earliest goes back to more than 3000 years ago. In these precious records there are not only general descriptions of meteors but also records of some special meteoric phenomena, which have so far not been understood completely. Based on modern studies of electrophonic meteor sounds, spiral motion of meteoric bodies, variations in meteoric colors, meteoric splitting, and so forth, the relevant records that can be found in ancient Chinese documents are itemised in the present article. These records are not only a part of the world cultural treasure-house, they also have practical significance in out today's researches. Reports of electrophonic meteor sounds have only been determined in the last 20 years and have proved not to be concoction of observers. Modern color photography of meteors much more authentically record and display other special meteoric phenomena and their occurrence and evolution. A comparison of these ancient records with the modern meteoric observations can corroborate one another.