Subscribe to free Email Newsletter

Astronomy and Geography

China is among the earliest countries to develop astronomy, and boasts the fastest development. As one of the four advanced natural science subjects in ancient China, astronomy, with the innovative calendars and surprising inventions, played an important role in the world's history of astronomical development.

Theories on Heaven and Earth

The Origin of Things

The ancient people tended to refer to supernatural power for an explanation of any natural phenomena...

Heaven in the Eyes of Ancient Chinese People

It is said in the ancient times, Gong Gong (a half man and half snake monster) and Zhuan Xu (a god) had a hard fight for control of the heaven...

The Gan and Shi Book of the Stars

The book boasts a record of the names of over 800 stars, and the positions of 121 of the stars have been pinpointed...

Ling Xian (Mystical Laws)

In relation of the finity and infinity of the cosmos, Zhang Heng compared the heaven to an eggshell, and the earth to the egg yolk...

Astronomical Instruments

· Projection Semi-sphere

· The Houfeng Seismograph

· The Celestial Globe

· The Armillary Sphere

· Water-Driven Armillary Sphere

· The Abridged Armilla

· The Kettle Clepsydra

· The Sundial

· The Gnomon

· Water-Driven Astronomical Clock Tower

Records of Celestial Phenomena

· Astronomic Legacy

· Solar Eclipse

· Novas and Supernovas

· Comet

· Planets Get Together

· Sunspots

· Meteoric Showers and Meteorites

Calendar

· Development

· Calendar-Making

· Chinese vs. Western

· Tai Chu Calendar

· Da Ming Calendar

· Solar Terms

· Shoushi Calendar

· Da Yan Calendar

Famous Astronomers

· Zu Chongzhi

· Gan De

· Luo Xiahong

· Zhang Sui (Seng Yixing)

· Guo Shoujing

· Zhang Heng

· Shen Kuo - Author of Meng Xi Bi Tan

Famous Geographers

· Li Siguang

· Xu Xiake

· Pei Xiu

· Li Daoyuan

· Wei Yuan - Author of Hai Guo Tu Zhi

Achievements

· Hai Guo Tu Zhi

· Xu Xiake's Travel Diaries

· Principles in Map-Making

· Rainfall Observation

· Commentary to the River Classic

· Wind Observation

· Humidity Observation

· Cloud Observation

| about us | contact us |

Constructed by Chinadaily.com.cn
Copyright © 2003 Ministry of Culture, P.R.China. All rights reserved