Maya scholars decipher ancient text to reveal eclipse prediction methods

Researchers have deciphered a medieval Maya text, the Dresden Codex, revealing how the civilization accurately predicted solar eclipses for centuries. The text's eclipse prediction table, previously misunderstood, is now believed to have been used with a specific method of starting a new table before the previous one ended, allowing for continuous accuracy. This breakthrough explains how the Maya accurately forecast eclipses observable in their territory between 350 and 1150 CE, showcasing their advanced astronomical knowledge and mathematical sophistication.