What is an observatory?

The observatory is a place where astronomers observe stars and engage in astronomical research. The Observatory is generally equipped with various astronomical instruments such as large astronomical telescopes. Its main work is to observe celestial bodies, analyze observation data, test theoretical models with observation facts, and guide actual measurement through theory, thus revealing the mysteries of space. In order to reduce the interference of the earth's atmosphere and light and noise, observatories are generally built on mountains far away from urban areas.

The observatory has a three-dimensional building in the shape of a castle, which is used to place and protect astronomical telescopes. There is a long skylight at the top of the circular castle, which can be opened when in use and closed when not in use, and can be rotated at will to aim the telescope at any place in the sky. In order to prevent the temperature difference between day and night in the house from being too large, Nanjing Zijinshan Observatory outside Yuanbao

They are all painted with a layer of silver powder paint, which can reflect sunlight.

China has the famous Purple Mountain Observatory, Beijing Observatory, Shanghai Observatory, Yunnan Observatory, Shaanxi Observatory and Taipei Observatory. There are British Royal Greenwich Observatory, American Haier Observatory, American Monaque Observatory, American National Observatory, Japanese Missile Observatory, French Upper Provence Observatory and so on.

China is one of the countries with early development of astronomy in the world, with a long history of astronomical observation. According to legend, there was an observatory in the Xia Dynasty, which was then called "Qing Tai". The observatory of Shang Dynasty is called "Shentai". In the Zhou Dynasty, it was renamed "Lingtai". Later, all the observatories in the past dynasties had names such as observatory, stargazing platform, four rooftops and stargazing platform.

Early observatories were not only places for observing stars, but also places for offering sacrifices. Ancient emperors sacrificed to heaven here, and at the same time appointed full-time personnel to observe the astronomical phenomena here, predict good and bad luck, compile almanac and "respect the people". With the development of society, the worship of heaven and the observation of heaven are gradually separated, and the observatory specializing in astronomical observation is gradually independent. Since astronomical observation is closely related to the production activities of ancient agriculture and animal husbandry, astronomical organization has been highly valued in China. Except for special circumstances, all previous observatories and sky-watching equipment were built in Beijing.

There are still several ancient observatory sites in China, among which Dengfeng Ancient Observatory and Beijing Ancient Observatory are well preserved. In addition, Lingtai in Luoyang, located in Yanshi County, Henan Province, was also a large observatory in the Eastern Han Dynasty. According to legend, Zhang Heng, a famous scientist, once worked in Lingtai, and now he is in ruins. According to historical records, Lingtai in Luoyang once presented a busy scene in its heyday. The platform is about 20 meters high and the base is about 50 square meters. Taiwan Province has 43 staff members, with a fine division of labor and various observation projects. So in the Han Dynasty, China's astronomy was very developed, and it was at the forefront of the world.

Dengfeng Ancient Stargazing Observatory is located in Gaocheng Town, Dengfeng County, more than 80 kilometers east of Luoyang. It is the earliest existing observatory building in China. Founded in Yuan Shizu in the 6th year of Zhiyuan (1279), it has a history of more than 700 years. The towering platform and a long embankment under the stage just formed a special viewing. A high platform is a vertical platform, which is 9? 46 meters; The long dike is equivalent to Tugui, which is called the measuring side and is 3 1? 19 meters, located in the north-south direction.

Located in the southwest of Jianguomen overpass, Beijing Ancient Observatory was built in the seventh to eleventh years of Ming Dynasty (1442~ 1446). After the Ming and Qing Dynasties, its appearance has not declined. After the Revolution of 1911, the ancient observatory was attached to the Ministry of Education and became the central observatory during the Beiyang government. From the Ming Dynasty to 1929, Beijing Ancient Observatory continuously observed for nearly 500 years, setting a world record for the longest continuous observation time.

Beijing Ancient Observatory is equipped with eight kinds of astronomical observation instruments in Qing Dynasty (planetarium, transit theodolite, ecliptic theodolite, horizon theodolite, quadrant, horizon theodolite and Ji Chen instrument), which is famous for its beautiful shape, exquisite carving and exquisite craftsmanship. April 1983 was officially opened to the public.