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In 1919 the theory of general relativity was confirmed by observing and photographing stars seemingly changing their position during a full solar eclipse due to the effects of gravity on light.

How early in history the result of this kind of experiment could potentially been observed and recorded? The experiment doesn't need to be conducted to prove general relativity and doesn't need to be immediately followed by any coherent light-gravity theory, but it needs to be rigorous enough not to be dismissed as an instrument flaw or observation error.

For that matter, what would be the implications of the observation that light can bend in if general relativity has not yet been introduced? Alternatively, could you think of some wrong explanation for that phenomena that could be adopted instead?
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