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2,400-year-old map accurately depicts the night sky: study

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This image provided by the European Southern Observatory shows the L1688 region in the constellation Ophiuchus. Astronomers have created a stunning mosaic of star nurseries hidden in our galaxy's backyard.  The montage, released on Thursday, May 11, 2023, reveals five vast star-forming regions located less than 1,500 light-years apart.  T (European Southern Observatory/Maingast via AP)

This image provided by the European Southern Observatory shows the L1688 region in the constellation Ophiuchus. Astronomers have created a stunning mosaic of star nurseries hidden in our galaxy’s backyard. The montage, released on Thursday, May 11, 2023, reveals five vast star-forming regions located less than 1,500 light-years apart. T (European Southern Observatory/Maingast via AP)

(NewsNation) — Italian researchers recently discovered a detailed map of the night sky dating back more than 2,400 years, according to research published last month.

Two circular white stones were discovered in an ancient fort in northeastern Italy, according to the study titled “Possible star asterism carved in protohistoric stones.” One of the stones appears to represent the sun, while the other accurately represents the constellations in the night sky.


The stone was about the size of a car tire and had 29 carvings, the Miami Herald reported.

Although the spacing between the stars was not necessarily to scale, the researchers were able to identify stars and constellations such as Orion, Scorpius, and the Pleiades, the study said.

However, one carving did not match the stars that exist in today’s astrology system. According to the Miami Herald, researchers believe that a bright star was present at that location at the time of the etching, possibly producing some kind of supernova.

The study suggests the map may have been used to track seasons of agricultural benefit.



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