Ancient Observatory of Beijing

The ancient observatory of Beijing () is a astronomical Observatoire pre-telescopic located at Beijing, in China. The revolutionary tools used in this ancient observatory were built in 1442 under the Dynastie Ming, and modified later under the Dynastie Qing.

History

Regarded as one of the oldest astronomical observatory, the ancient observatory of Beijing extends on a surface from 10 000 square meters. This space is mainly occupied by a ten height meters platform supporting several bronze instruments. The observatory itself is located on the roof of what is now a museum of astronomy.

At the end of the Dynasty Qing, the allied forces invaded Beijing and concealed in the passing the Chinese astronomical instruments. These instruments were returned to China at the end of the First World War by the French and German robbers.

Instruments

the Sphère armillaire is an instrument calculating the coordinates of the stars.
the Quadrant, built in 1673, calculates altitude and the zenith of the stars.
the Theodolite, built in 1715, is used to calculate the Azimut and the altitude of the stars.
the Sextant is used to measure the angular distance between two stars. It is also the instrument used to measure the angular diameter of the Moon and the Sun.
the Astrolabe, built in 1673, makes it possible to represent the movement of stars on the vault of heaven and to determine the hours to sleep and of raising stars.

See too

External bonds

Official site -
Google Maps: Images satellite

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