Understanding Solar Eclipses and Aztec Astronomy

What did ancient cultures rely on to predict solar eclipses before the scientific revolution?

• Observation and records

• Magic and prophecies

• Astrology

• Mathematical calculations

Which empire's records provide us with insights into their views on solar eclipses?

• Aztec Empire

• Ottoman Empire

• Roman Empire

• Mongol Empire

Why is much of Aztec history considered a mystery?

• Lack of written records

• Destruction during Spanish conquest

• Natural disasters

• Secretive nature of their culture

How did the Aztecs record events in their history?

• Through detailed written texts

• Using pictographs and ideographs

• Oral storytelling

• Engraving on stone tablets

What celestial body did the Aztecs pay careful attention to, besides the Sun?

• Jupiter

• Saturn

• Venus

• Mars

According to Aztec mythology, what lay beyond the sky?

• The land of death

• A paradise

• A vast ocean

• Infinite stars

What did the Aztecs believe about solar eclipses?

• They were random and unexpected events

• They signified the end of the world

• They were messages from the gods

• They were a time for celebration

What creatures did the Aztecs associate with solar eclipses in their pictographs?

• Birds of paradise

• Demons of darkness

• Celestial serpents

• Guardians of the sun