The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-02
AN OBSERVATORY AT PEKIN.
Astronomical Apparatus Used III
China Three Centarie. ago.
Crron the New York Tfihuue)


(From the New York Tfibune)
The temperance Of the brighter stars
at different seasons OF the year. their
height above the horizon, the angular dis
lance between them. eclipSss and the mo-
tons of the sun. moon, and planets were
made the subject of careful study in Asia
and Egypt at least 5000 or 5000 years
ago, and perhaps at 4 still earlier stage
Of human history. Lockysr believes that
many O: the oldest temples in Egypt were
oriented with reference to the rising Of
certain stars. There is a Chaidean work
on astronomy that dates back to $500 B.
C., ard 1t is within the range Of possibility
that something more ancient may yet be
found IN Babylonia- The earliest record
now known OF solar eclipse happens to
be Chinese and IL 1900 years old.
In view of the weil-established antiqui-
ty OF astronomy and astrology, the odd
little observatory in the outskirts of Pek-
in, which is said TO be 900 years old.
might seem to be comparatively modern.
And so it is, in strictly chronological
sense. But all truly scientific astrononi-
cal work began with the recognition. 200
or 400 years age Of the fact that the earth
Is sphere rotating o. It's axis, and that
the heavens are stationary. Moreover a
vast proportion OF the knowledge possessed
today regarding the stars has been ac-
CURED by means u the telescope. which
Was not known three centuries ago. In
deed. SO enormous have been the advances
made since the time Of Calico, and so lit
tie progress was achieved from the days
OF Pto!eny to those OF CopeTnicus that
the Chinese astronomer could not have
had a much better instrumental equipment
in 1900 than at the beginning OF the Chris
tian era AT any rate that OF the .ban-
N.ai Dol nl-
primitive. and it would puzzle experts in
stellar science to say precisely what were
its functions.
AS their records show, the ancients at
tempted little more than 10 note the height
OF various conspicuous objects above the
horizon. their relative distance from each
other and tho time of year when they were
most conveniently situated for observation
Fer these purposes they needed only simple
devices. One OF their best known pieces
OF apparatus was an "armillary sphere
a combination Of brass circles rotating OF
an axis that was sufficiently inclined to
aim ut the point about which the heavens
seemed TO revolve. One might be disposed
10 take some of the objects in the OLE.
Pekin observatory for armillary spheres.
bat they are lacking in certain important
features. Hence II these instruments were
intended to serve the purpose of an armil-
ldIy sphere tney must nave done so in
adequately. They are very rudimentary in
character. 1t is rot incredible that time
and the weather have not only rendered
these old Chinese relics useless. but have
also deprived them Of some of their orgt.
nal features. A good many things might
happen TO objects left for centuries in so
exposed situation. However. without a
close scrutiny of the instruments made on
the spot 1t would be impossible to say
with confidence what changes and losses
lad occurred.
Another device in the collection. looking
like an upright pump and its handle, may
have been used TO measure the angular al
titude of objects in the northern skies
But whether this surmise be correct or not.
1t Is clear that the apparatus itself long
since ceased TO he OF any service The
Chinese are not a progressive people They
cannot grasp either the technique
or the mathematics of the most advanced
astronomical practice of today. But they
long ago learned enough to see the use
fulness of the instruments here described
which are interesting only as curious relics
CT an effete civilization.