Ancient Observatory

Beijing Ancient Observatory

synonym

Ancient Observatory generally refers to Beijing Ancient Observatory

Beijing Ancient Observatory is located in the southwest corner of Jianguomen overpass in Beijing. It was built in the orthodox period of Ming Dynasty. It is one of the oldest observatories in the world. It is famous for its complete architecture, exquisite instruments, long history and unique position in the cultural exchanges between the East and the West. In the Ming Dynasty, the observatory was called "star watching platform". On the platform, there were large astronomical instruments such as simple instruments, armillary sphere and armillary sphere. Under the platform, there were guibiao and Liuhu. In the Qing Dynasty, the observatory was renamed "Observatory", and after the revolution of 1911, it was changed into the central observatory. During the reign of Emperor Kangxi and Emperor Qianlong of Qing Dynasty, eight large-scale bronze astronomical instruments were added to the observatory, all of which adopted European astronomical measurement system and instrument structure. They are not only practical astronomical observation tools, but also unparalleled historical relics.

Built in 1442, the observatory is the National Observatory of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The height of the Ancient Observatory is about 14 meters, and its top is 20.4 meters long from north to South and 23.9 meters long from east to west. There are eight clear astronomical instruments on it. From the beginning of the Ming Dynasty to 1929, the Ancient Observatory has been engaged in astronomical observation for nearly 500 years, which is the longest continuous observation among the existing ancient observatories. It is also well-known internationally for its complete architecture and complete equipment. In addition to the Chinese tradition in modeling, ornamentation and technology, the eight bronze instruments in the Qing Dynasty also reflected the progress and achievements of large-scale astronomical instruments after the Renaissance in Western Europe in terms of scale, watch and structure. It is a historical witness of cultural exchanges between the East and the West. After the founding of the people's Republic of China, the ancient observatory was handed over to the Beijing Planetarium as a national key cultural relic protection unit.

history

The Beijing Ancient Observatory was built in 1442 ad (the seventh year of the Ming Dynasty). It is one of the oldest observatories in the world. It is also the Royal Observatory of Ming and Qing Dynasties in China. It is famous for its complete architecture, complete equipment and long history.

As early as 1279 (the 16th year of the Yuan Dynasty), astronomers Wang Xun, Guo Shoujing and others built a Si Tiantai on the north side of today's Jianguomen Observatory, which became the earliest source of Beijing Ancient Observatory. After the establishment of the Ming Dynasty, in 1442 (the seventh year of the orthodox reign of the Ming Dynasty), a star watching platform was built on the site of the southeast turret of the Yuandadu city wall, where astronomical instruments such as armillary sphere, simple instrument and armillary sphere were placed, and houses such as Ziwei hall were built under the city wall, and then a sundial shadow hall was added. At this time, the observatory and its affiliated buildings had a large scale.

After the establishment of the Qing government in 1644, the observatory was changed to an observatory, and accepted Tang ruowang's suggestion to use the European astronomical method to calculate the almanac. From 1669 to 1674, under the order of Emperor Kangxi, Nan Huairen designed and supervised six new astronomical instruments: equatorial theodolite, ecliptic theodolite, horizon theodolite, quadrant, chronometer and astrometer. In 1715 (the 54th year of Kangxi), Gillian designed and manufactured the horizon theodolite. In 1744 (the ninth year of Qianlong's reign), Emperor Qianlong ordered a new armillary sphere to be built according to the traditional Chinese armillary sphere, named Jiheng fuchenyi.

In 1900, the Allied forces of the eight powers invaded Beijing. The invaders of Germany and France shared the eight instruments with the armillary sphere and the simplified instrument under the stage and robbed five of them each. France transported the instrument to the French Embassy in China and returned it in 1902. In Germany, the instruments were transported to the palace of Potsdam for exhibition. After the first World War, they were shipped back to China in 1921 according to the Treaty of Versailles and resettled on the observatory.

In 1911, after the revolution of 1911, the observatory was renamed the central observatory. In 1927, after the establishment of Zijinshan Observatory, the ancient observatory was no longer used for observation and research. In 1929, it was changed into the National Astronomical Museum. After the September 18th Incident in 1931, the Japanese invaders came to Beijing, and in order to protect cultural relics, they transported seven instruments, such as armillary sphere, simple instrument and leaky pot, to Nanjing. The seven instruments are on display at Zijinshan Observatory and Nanjing Museum.

After liberation, Beijing Ancient Observatory was listed as a national key cultural relic protection unit in 1982 and reopened to the outside world in 1983. It enjoys a high reputation abroad. Heads of government, senior officials and colleagues in the scientific community of many countries, such as British Prime Minister Blair and Belgian Prime Minister Vosto, have been attracted to visit.

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exhibition

The ancient Chinese astronomical instruments displayed in the courtyard of Beijing Ancient Observatory mainly include: the original bronze armillary sphere (Replica) of Ming Dynasty, the 1:3 bronze simple instrument (Replica) of Yuan Dynasty, and the original large copper plan (Replica) of Yuan Dynasty. There are ancient timepieces such as sundials and guiwatches in the backyard.

Time calendar

The part of "time calendar" in the exhibition of achievements of ancient Chinese astronomy at Beijing Ancient Observatory mainly introduces the formation and development process of Chinese time calendar and its main research achievements. The calendars in ancient China are special, most of them are Yin Yang calendar. There are 102 kinds of calendars from the ancient six calendars to the Qing Dynasty constitutional calendar. There are only two pure solar calendars, which have undergone five major calendar reforms. The exhibition introduces the calendars of different dynasties in China by means of words and pictures. At the same time, some time measuring tools used in ancient China, such as sundials and guiwatches, are displayed. At the same time, there are also several original modern astronomical pendulum clocks from Shanghai Xujiahui Observatory and Nanjing Zijinshan observatory.

Astronomical events

The part of "astronomical events" in the exhibition of achievements in ancient Chinese astronomy of Beijing Ancient Observatory mainly introduces some major historical events and observational achievements in ancient Chinese astronomy. For example, the astronomical patterns of painted pottery unearthed in Dawenkou, the "Yangshao culture" in 5000 BC, the star map of Dunhuang in the 8th century AD, and the traditional division of the three walls and twenty-eight constellations in China. At the same time, the exhibition also introduces some ancient Chinese astronomical research achievements, such as the research on sunspots, Halley's comet and supernovae. The exhibition is based on giving the audience a comprehensive understanding of ancient Chinese astronomy knowledge, using a wealth of exhibition means, and a considerable number of examples and models. The exhibition has been on display for many years and has been well received by audiences at home and abroad. It also serves as an educational base for young people's extracurricular activities.

Lingtai Yixiang

The Lingtai Yixiang part of the exhibition of achievements in ancient Chinese astronomy of Beijing Ancient Observatory mainly introduces the development history and main research instruments of ancient Chinese observatory. The exhibition shows the development of Chinese astronomical research institutions from the astronomical sites of the Western Han Dynasty to the Ancient Observatory in Beijing, as well as the famous astronomical observation instruments in ancient China, such as armillary sphere and simple instrument. In the exhibition, a large number of examples, models and photos are used. At the same time, the scale model of ancient bronze astronomical instruments developed by the Ancient Observatory is also displayed. Since the exhibition, the exhibition has been welcomed by visitors and astronomy enthusiasts.

instrument

Ji Heng Fu Chen Yi

Ji Heng Fu Chen Yi is on display at the east end of the Taipei side of the ancient image in Beijing. The instrument weighs 5145kg and is 3.379m high. In 1744, when the emperor inspected the observatory, he saw that the astronomical instruments on the observatory were of western structure. He ordered to build a Zhanyi according to the traditional Chinese armillary sphere structure. It was made in 1754. It was plundered to Berlin by the German invaders in 1900 and returned to China in 1921 for re installation on the ancient Beijing Observatory.

Chronometer

The theodolite is displayed on the south side of Beijing Ancient Observatory, adjacent to the equatorial theodolite. It was made in 1669-1673 under the supervision of Nan Huairen, a Belgian missionary from China. The instrument weighs 802 kg and is 3.274 meters high. In China, such instruments began in the Qing Dynasty. The instrument is mainly used to measure the angular distance between two stars within 60 degrees. It was plundered to Germany by the German invaders in 1900 and resettled on the Ancient Observatory in 1921.

Ecliptic theodolite

The ecliptic theodolite is displayed in the southwest corner of the top of the ancient Beijing Observatory. It was made in 1669-1673 under the supervision of Belgian missionary Nan Huairen. The instrument weighs 2752kg and is 3.492m high. It is the first independent ecliptic coordinate system observation instrument in China. Because Chinese astronomers did not pay much attention to the ecliptic coordinate system, the instrument was rarely used after it was made.

Horizon theodolite

The horizon theodolite is displayed in the middle of the south side of the top of the ancient Beijing Observatory. It was made in 1713-1715 A.D. (52-54 A.D. of Kangxi). It was supervised by Christian missionary Gillian of China. The instrument weighs 7368kg and is 4.125m high. In 1900, the instrument and four other instruments were looted to the French Embassy in China, and then returned to China in 1902 under the pressure of public opinion. The bullet holes left by the aggressors on the windshield are still clearly visible.

Horizon meridian instrument

The horizon theodolite is displayed on the south side of the top of the ancient Beijing Observatory and on the east side of the ecliptic theodolite. It was made in 1669-1673 (8-12 years of Kangxi). The weight of the instrument is 1811 kg and the height is 3.201 M. It was supervised by Nan Huairen, a Belgian missionary from China. It was plundered to Berlin by the German invaders in 1900 for 20 years and relocated in 1921

Chinese PinYin : Gu Guan Xiang Tai