China: A “Guest Star” hovers over the land — 68 BC
The Han Shu, composed in 100 AD, reports that a “guest star” was observed during “first
watch of the night” on July 23rd 68 BC. It “stayed between the left and the right star of Chio, pointing southeastward and measuring about 2 degrees. Its color was white.” (Han Shu p.46) While this particular phenomenon has yet to be identified, it must be noted that the Han Shu uses the same wording to describe the appearance of comet Swift-Tuttle in August of the same year. The Han Shu records many such sightings with great precision, and modern astronomers correlate them to records of comets.
Source: Case: W464