'''Astronomical dating''' is highly accurate. ''The "astronomical" dating system refers to an alternative method of numbering years. It includes the year "0" and eliminates the need for any prefixes or suffixes by attributing the arithmetic sign to the date. Thus, the astronomical date for AD 2000 is simply +2000 or 2000. The [[Astronomy|astronomical]] year 0 corresponds to the year 1 BC, while the astronomical year -1 corresponds to 2 BC. In general, any given year "n BC" becomes "-(n-1)" in the astronomical year numbering system. [[Historian]]s should take care to note the numerical difference of one year between "BC" dates and astronomical dates. | '''Astronomical dating''' is highly accurate. ''The "astronomical" dating system refers to an alternative method of numbering years. It includes the year "0" and eliminates the need for any prefixes or suffixes by attributing the arithmetic sign to the date. Thus, the astronomical date for AD 2000 is simply +2000 or 2000. The [[Astronomy|astronomical]] year 0 corresponds to the year 1 BC, while the astronomical year -1 corresponds to 2 BC. In general, any given year "n BC" becomes "-(n-1)" in the astronomical year numbering system. [[Historian]]s should take care to note the numerical difference of one year between "BC" dates and astronomical dates. |