According to this:

http://www.physlink.com/Education/AskExperts/ae373.cfm

"It was during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar (605-562 BC) in the Chaldean
dynasty in Babylon that the circle was divided into 360 degrees. This was
because the Chaldeans had calculated by observation and inference that a
complete year numbered 360 days. "

Not because the year *was* 360 days, but because they *thought* it was.

GC

> -----Original Message-----
> From: rad0 [mailto:rden25@MINDSPRING.COM]
> Sent: Tuesday, May 28, 2002 5:44 PM
> To: PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU
> Subject: [ot]: alright here we go, astronomy question
>
>
> sorry about this folks...
>
> I read where someone claims that the origin of
> the 360 degree circle is from ancient Babylonia,
> not the tv series...and the article claimed that the
> 360 number was used because the year actually
> used to be 360 days, not 365+...
>
> the further claim is made that this can be shown/proven
> by reverse calculation of the orbit of earth....
>
> first, is this true?  can you calculate the orbit of the earth
> backward historically?
>
> second, the article goes on to claim that during the time
> that the earth had a 360 day year, the orbit of mars
> brought mars between the earth and the moon....
>
> fantastic claim, just wondering if it's true or calculate-able
>
> thanks
>
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