Event #18: Sparkling star with "trunk laid straight" observed in Babylon and China

Fragments of Babylonian cuneiform tablet BMA 45731 mention a comet seen on -156 October 19 and November 15. Unfortunately, no other details are available.

The Han shu (100) is the only ancient Chinese text to mention this object. It says a “sparkling star” was seen “in the western quarter of the sky” sometime during the lunar month of -156 October 8 to November 5. The text continues by noting that its “trunk laid straight across the Wei [ε, ζ, η, θ, ι, κ, λ, and μ Scorpii] and the Chi [γ, δ, ε, and η Sagitarii], and its end pointed to the Hsy [α Equulei and β Aquarii] and Wei [ε and θ Pegasi, and α Aquarii].” The object was over 10 degrees long and “reached the Milky Way.” It disappeared on the 16th day.

Full moon: October 15

Sources: BMA 45731, [Han shu: Jing di ji] ch. 5; [Han shu: wu xing zhi] ch. 27; Ho (26), Hunger (1989)

157 BC, October, China, Babylonia, a bushy star comet appeared in the west near Scorpius. Its tail pointed northeast, measured more than 15 degrees and reached the Milky Way. It went out of sight after 16 days. (Ho, 26). Babylonian diaries suggest that a comet was noted from October 19 until November 15. (Hunger, 1989)

(a) 7th year of the Houyuan reign period of Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty, 9th month; a star became fuzzy in the west.

(b) 7th year of the Houyuan reign period of Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty, 9th month; a star became fuzzy in the west. Its root pointed toward Wei [LM 6] and Ji [LM 7], and its tip pointed toward Xu [LM 11] and Wei [LM 12]. It was over 1 zhang long and reached the Milky Way; after 16 days, it was no longer seen.