Editing History of astronomy (section)

===Mesoamerica===
{{Main|Maya astronomy|Maya calendar|Aztec calendar}}
[[File:Chichen Itza Observatory 2 1.jpg|thumb|"El Caracol" observatory temple at [[Chichen Itza]], [[Mexico]]]]
[[Maya civilization|Maya]] astronomical [[Maya codices|codices]] include detailed tables for calculating [[Lunar phases|phases of the Moon]], the recurrence of eclipses, and the appearance and disappearance of [[Venus]] as morning and [[Venus#Observability|evening star]]. The Maya based their [[Maya calendar|calendrics]] in the carefully calculated cycles of the [[Pleiades]], the [[Sun]], the [[Moon]], [[Venus]], [[Jupiter]], [[Saturn]], [[Mars]], and also they had a precise description of the eclipses as depicted in the [[Dresden Codex]], as well as the ecliptic or zodiac, and the [[Milky Way]] was crucial in their Cosmology.<ref>[http://www.authenticmaya.com/maya_astronomy.htm Maya Astronomy] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070606210812/http://www.authenticmaya.com/maya_astronomy.htm|date=2007-06-06}}</ref> A number of important Maya structures are believed to have been oriented toward the extreme risings and settings of Venus. To the ancient Maya, Venus was the patron of war and many recorded battles are believed to have been timed to the motions of this planet. Mars is also mentioned in preserved astronomical codices and early [[Maya mythology|mythology]].<ref>{{harvtxt|Aveni|1980|pp=173–99}}.</ref>

Although the [[Maya calendar]] was not tied to the Sun, [[John E. Teeple|John Teeple]] has proposed that the Maya calculated the [[tropical year|solar year]] to somewhat greater accuracy than the [[Gregorian calendar]].<ref>{{harvtxt|Aveni|1980|pp=170–3}}.</ref> Both astronomy and an intricate numerological scheme for the measurement of time were vitally important components of [[Maya civilization#Religion|Maya religion]].

The Maya believed that the Earth was the center of all things, and that the stars, moons, and planets were gods. They believed that their movements were the gods traveling between the Earth and other celestial destinations. Many key events in Maya culture were timed around celestial events, in the belief that certain gods would be present.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How Does Ancient Mayan Astronomy Portray the Sun, Moon and Planets? |url=https://www.thoughtco.com/ancient-maya-astronomy-2136314 |access-date=2022-03-25 |website=ThoughtCo}}</ref>