Wāng Qí is a astronomer.
He co-discovered the periodic comet 142P/Ge-Wang.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Wang Fan
Wang Fan was an astronomer in traditional China. He was an officer of the kingdom of Wu, proficient in mathematics and astronomy. He calculated the distance from the sun to the earth, but his geometric model was not correct. In addition, he give the numerical value of as 142 / 45 = 3.155… , not as accurate as the contemporary mathematician Liu Hui achieved.
Typhoon Lee
Typhoon Lee is an astrophysicist and geochemist at Academia Sinica, Taiwan, Republic of China, where he specializes in isotope geochemistry and nuclear astrophysics .
Lee received his Ph.D in astronomy at the in 1977.
His honors include the Robert J. Trumpler Award in 1978 from the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, and Outstanding Researcher Awards from the National Science Council in 1985-87 and 1988-90.
A selection of his publications includes:
*''X-wind, Refractory IDPs and Cometary Nuclei'', 1999, in Proc. IAU Colloquim 168, Astro. Soc. Pacific, San Francisco.
*''Proto-stellar Cosmic Rays and Extinct Radioactivities in Meteorites'', 1998, Ap. J. 506, 898-912.
*''Coral Sr/Ca as a High Precision High Time-Resolution Paleo Thermometer for Sea Surface Temperature: Looking for ENSO Effects in Kuroshio near Taiwan'', 1996, Proc. 1995 Nagoya ICBP-PAGES/PEP-II Symposium, 211-216.
*''U-Disequilibrium Dating of Corals in Southern Taiwan by Mass Spectrometry'', 1993, J. Geol. Soc. China. 36, 57-66.
*''Model-Dependent Be-10 Sedimentation Rates for the Taiwan Strait and their Tectonic Significance'', 1993, Geology, 21, 423-426.
*''First Detection of Fallout Cs-135 and Potential Application of 137Cs/135Cs'', 1993, Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, 57, 3493-3497.
Lee received his Ph.D in astronomy at the in 1977.
His honors include the Robert J. Trumpler Award in 1978 from the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, and Outstanding Researcher Awards from the National Science Council in 1985-87 and 1988-90.
A selection of his publications includes:
*''X-wind, Refractory IDPs and Cometary Nuclei'', 1999, in Proc. IAU Colloquim 168, Astro. Soc. Pacific, San Francisco.
*''Proto-stellar Cosmic Rays and Extinct Radioactivities in Meteorites'', 1998, Ap. J. 506, 898-912.
*''Coral Sr/Ca as a High Precision High Time-Resolution Paleo Thermometer for Sea Surface Temperature: Looking for ENSO Effects in Kuroshio near Taiwan'', 1996, Proc. 1995 Nagoya ICBP-PAGES/PEP-II Symposium, 211-216.
*''U-Disequilibrium Dating of Corals in Southern Taiwan by Mass Spectrometry'', 1993, J. Geol. Soc. China. 36, 57-66.
*''Model-Dependent Be-10 Sedimentation Rates for the Taiwan Strait and their Tectonic Significance'', 1993, Geology, 21, 423-426.
*''First Detection of Fallout Cs-135 and Potential Application of 137Cs/135Cs'', 1993, Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, 57, 3493-3497.
Three Pillars of Chinese Catholicism
of Shanghai, and Lǐ Zhīzǎo and Yáng Tíngyún both of Hangzhou, are known as the Three Great Pillars of Chinese Catholicism . It is due to their combined efforts that Hangzhou and Shanghai became the centre of missionary activity in late China. The three men shared an interest in Western science and mathematics, and it is probable that this was what first attracted them to the Jesuits responsible for their conversion.
This name is derived from a passage in Saint Paul’s letter to the :
:“And when they had known the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship…"
The passage in Chinese is somewhat more obvious:
:「那称为教会柱石的雅各、矶法、约翰，就向我和巴拿巴用右手行相交之礼...」
wherein it calls , and the "pillars of the Church". The inevitable connection was then seen between the "pillars" of the early Church and the three men who helped to evangelize Ming China.
Yang Tingyun was born into a devout Buddhist family. At the age of 35 , after taking the Imperial Examinations he assumed the post of Inspector. In 1600 he met Matteo Ricci one of the founding fathers of missionary activity in China, but did not convert or receive Baptism at that time. Later however, in 1611, Yang accompanied a fellow official Li Zhizao back to Hangzhou to arrange for his late father's funeral, and saw that Li had not only thrown out his home's Buddhist statues and imagery, but that he did not send for Buddhist priests to give the man his last rites. Instead, he had brought two Jesuit priests, Lazaro Cattaneo and Nicolas Trigault, to do the job and a Chinese monk Zhōng Míngrén to explain the rite's significance to the gathered friends and relatives. One month later, impressed by Li's newfound piety, he abandoned his concubine, and was himself baptized, receiving the Christian name "Michael" .
When the church had for the most part been completed, Yang became severely ill. Knowing it was his end, Yang Tingyun requested the from the priest, and in January of 1628, at the age of 71, died. Because he had been seen as a great scholar and man of excellent moral fibre, the people of Hangzhou had him honoured in the Xiāngxián Cí , a hall for honouring local heroes and ancestors.
After converting, Li Zhizao took an oath saying, "As long as I live, all that God has given me, I shall for put to good use for Him." While still in Beijing, he presented Matteo Ricci with 100 of gold for the purpose of building a church there. Later Li would also be responsible for introducing Catholicism to his hometown of Hangzhou the following year when, returning home for his father's funeral, he brought with him two other Jesuit missionaries.
Li Zhizao was responsible for translating many works of Western science and mathematics into Chinese.
*''Plea to Translate Books on Western Calendar Methods'', ''Qǐng yì xī yáng lì fǎ děng shū shū'' 《请译西洋历法等书疏》, was submitted to the Ming dynasty Wanli Emperor, beseeching him to hire missionaries and have them make corrections to the Chinese calendar.
Origin of name
This name is derived from a passage in Saint Paul’s letter to the :
:“And when they had known the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship…"
The passage in Chinese is somewhat more obvious:
:「那称为教会柱石的雅各、矶法、约翰，就向我和巴拿巴用右手行相交之礼...」
wherein it calls , and the "pillars of the Church". The inevitable connection was then seen between the "pillars" of the early Church and the three men who helped to evangelize Ming China.
Xu Guangqi
Yang Tingyun
Yang Tingyun was born into a devout Buddhist family. At the age of 35 , after taking the Imperial Examinations he assumed the post of Inspector. In 1600 he met Matteo Ricci one of the founding fathers of missionary activity in China, but did not convert or receive Baptism at that time. Later however, in 1611, Yang accompanied a fellow official Li Zhizao back to Hangzhou to arrange for his late father's funeral, and saw that Li had not only thrown out his home's Buddhist statues and imagery, but that he did not send for Buddhist priests to give the man his last rites. Instead, he had brought two Jesuit priests, Lazaro Cattaneo and Nicolas Trigault, to do the job and a Chinese monk Zhōng Míngrén to explain the rite's significance to the gathered friends and relatives. One month later, impressed by Li's newfound piety, he abandoned his concubine, and was himself baptized, receiving the Christian name "Michael" .
When the church had for the most part been completed, Yang became severely ill. Knowing it was his end, Yang Tingyun requested the from the priest, and in January of 1628, at the age of 71, died. Because he had been seen as a great scholar and man of excellent moral fibre, the people of Hangzhou had him honoured in the Xiāngxián Cí , a hall for honouring local heroes and ancestors.
After converting, Li Zhizao took an oath saying, "As long as I live, all that God has given me, I shall for put to good use for Him." While still in Beijing, he presented Matteo Ricci with 100 of gold for the purpose of building a church there. Later Li would also be responsible for introducing Catholicism to his hometown of Hangzhou the following year when, returning home for his father's funeral, he brought with him two other Jesuit missionaries.
Writings
Li Zhizao was responsible for translating many works of Western science and mathematics into Chinese.
*''Plea to Translate Books on Western Calendar Methods'', ''Qǐng yì xī yáng lì fǎ děng shū shū'' 《请译西洋历法等书疏》, was submitted to the Ming dynasty Wanli Emperor, beseeching him to hire missionaries and have them make corrections to the Chinese calendar.
Sun Kwok
Sun Kwok（Chinese:郭新) is a Hong Kong astronomer specialized in the study of planetary nebula. In 1978, he proposed that the exposure of the core and the subsequent initiation of another fast wind, lead to a "snow-plow" effect that creates a planetary nebula. This interacting-winds theory has become the standard model of planetary nebulae formation, and has led to a new understanding of the dynamical evolution of planetary nebulae as well as the origin of their different morphologies. He is currently a Dean of Science of University of Hong Kong.
Born in Hong Kong, Sun Kwok was graduated from , the mother school of Daniel Chee Tsui, Nobel Prize Winner in Physics and Shing-Tung Yau, Fields Medal Winner.
* Chair Professor of Physics and Dean of Science, University of Hong Kong
* Faculty Professor, University of Calgary
* Distinguished Research Fellow and Director, Institute of Astronomy & Astrophysics, Academia Sinica, Taiwan
* Professor, University of Calgary
* Chairman, IAU Working Group on Planetary Nebulae
* Principal Investigator , Canadian participation in the Odin mission
Kwok's research is mainly on the interstellar chemistry and stellar evolution. He is widely recognized for his theory on the origin of planetary nebulae, which has transformed our understanding of the death of Sun-like stars. His more recent accomplishments include the discovery of proto-planetary nebulae, the missing link in our understanding of the late stages of stellar evolution, and the discovery of the unidentified emission feature at 21 micrometres which is believed to be an unusual carbonaceous compound . Using space-based infrared telescopes, he has found that organic compounds with aromatic and aliphatic structures can be synthesized rapidly in the late stages of stellar evolution. These star-manufactured compounds are now known to have spread widely throughout the Galaxy, and are believed to have played a role in the chemical enrichment of the early solar system.
He has two recent books The Origin and Evolution of Planetary Nebulae and Cosmic Butterflies both published by Cambridge University Press. His book Physics and Chemistry of the Interstellar Medium will be published by University Science Books in 2006.
Background
Born in Hong Kong, Sun Kwok was graduated from , the mother school of Daniel Chee Tsui, Nobel Prize Winner in Physics and Shing-Tung Yau, Fields Medal Winner.
* Chair Professor of Physics and Dean of Science, University of Hong Kong
* Faculty Professor, University of Calgary
* Distinguished Research Fellow and Director, Institute of Astronomy & Astrophysics, Academia Sinica, Taiwan
* Professor, University of Calgary
* Chairman, IAU Working Group on Planetary Nebulae
* Principal Investigator , Canadian participation in the Odin mission
Research
Kwok's research is mainly on the interstellar chemistry and stellar evolution. He is widely recognized for his theory on the origin of planetary nebulae, which has transformed our understanding of the death of Sun-like stars. His more recent accomplishments include the discovery of proto-planetary nebulae, the missing link in our understanding of the late stages of stellar evolution, and the discovery of the unidentified emission feature at 21 micrometres which is believed to be an unusual carbonaceous compound . Using space-based infrared telescopes, he has found that organic compounds with aromatic and aliphatic structures can be synthesized rapidly in the late stages of stellar evolution. These star-manufactured compounds are now known to have spread widely throughout the Galaxy, and are believed to have played a role in the chemical enrichment of the early solar system.
He has two recent books The Origin and Evolution of Planetary Nebulae and Cosmic Butterflies both published by Cambridge University Press. His book Physics and Chemistry of the Interstellar Medium will be published by University Science Books in 2006.
Ma Yize
Ma Yize was an important Arab- Islamic astronomer and astrologist who worked as the chief official of the astronomical observatory for the Song dynasty.
In the early 10th Century, the Chinese emperor of the Song dynasty encouraged the advancement of the study of astronomy and its related disciplines. In 961, the Emperor Taizu appointed Ma Yize as the chief official to take charge of the government observatory.
Ma Yize's ancestor were Arabs coming from an area somewhere between Yemen and Oman in the Arabic Peninsula. Ma is a Sinicised form of the name ''Muhammad'' .
When Ma Yize was in China, he assisted Wang Chuna in compiling several important astrological works, including the Yingtianli . His job was to provide observation, and computation of the regularities in celestial phenomena, using the Islamic methods. His findings were used by Wang Chuna in the compilation of Yingtianli, which was completed in 963. The calculation, based on a 7-day week system similar to that in the Islamic calendar, was first adopted in this document, which was the most important occurrence in the Chinese history of calendrical methods.
Ma Yize might have consulted many works of Islamic mathematical astronomy into Chinese, including:
* Kitab al-Zij , 880, by Abu'Abdallah al-Battani , 858-929
* al-Zij al-sabi
* Kitab Matali' al-Buruj
* Kitab Aqdar al- Ittisalat
It is possible that Ma was influenced by Al-Battani and Al-Hamdani. Owing to Ma's contribution to the compilation of 'Yingtianli', Ma was made a hereditary noble and his sons later succeeded his position with the Imperial Observatory.
In the early 10th Century, the Chinese emperor of the Song dynasty encouraged the advancement of the study of astronomy and its related disciplines. In 961, the Emperor Taizu appointed Ma Yize as the chief official to take charge of the government observatory.
Ma Yize's ancestor were Arabs coming from an area somewhere between Yemen and Oman in the Arabic Peninsula. Ma is a Sinicised form of the name ''Muhammad'' .
When Ma Yize was in China, he assisted Wang Chuna in compiling several important astrological works, including the Yingtianli . His job was to provide observation, and computation of the regularities in celestial phenomena, using the Islamic methods. His findings were used by Wang Chuna in the compilation of Yingtianli, which was completed in 963. The calculation, based on a 7-day week system similar to that in the Islamic calendar, was first adopted in this document, which was the most important occurrence in the Chinese history of calendrical methods.
Ma Yize might have consulted many works of Islamic mathematical astronomy into Chinese, including:
* Kitab al-Zij , 880, by Abu'Abdallah al-Battani , 858-929
* al-Zij al-sabi
* Kitab Matali' al-Buruj
* Kitab Aqdar al- Ittisalat
It is possible that Ma was influenced by Al-Battani and Al-Hamdani. Owing to Ma's contribution to the compilation of 'Yingtianli', Ma was made a hereditary noble and his sons later succeeded his position with the Imperial Observatory.
Liang Lingzan
Liang Lingzan was a Tang Dynasty military engineer and government official of the Kaiyuan era who invented the first mechanical clock with the Tantric monk and mathematician Yi Xing . It was actually an astronomical instrument that served as a clock, made of bronze in the capital of Chang'an in the 720s. It was described by a contemporary text this way:
was made in the image of the round heavens and on it were shown the lunar mansions in their order, the equator and the degrees of the heavenly circumference. Water, flowing into scoops, turned a wheel automatically, rotating it one complete revolution in one day and night. Besides this, there were two rings fitted around the celestial sphere outside, having the sun and moon threaded on them, and these were made to move in circling orbit ... And they made a wooden casing the surface of which represented the horizon, since the instrument was half sunk in it. It permitted the exact determinations of the time of dawns and dusks, full and new moons, tarrying and hurrying. Moreover, there were two wooden jacks standing on the horizon surface, having one a bell and the other a drum in front of it, the bell being struck automatically to indicate the hours, and the drum being beaten automatically to indicate the quarters. All these motions were brought about by machinery within the casing, each depending on wheels and shafts, hooks, pins and interlocking rods, stopping devices and locks checking mutually.
In addition to being an engineer and official, he was also a scholar and artist. He wrote ''The Five-Planet and Twenty-eight Constellation Deities'' , of which a Song Dynasty copy resides in the collection of the Osaka City Art Museum.
was made in the image of the round heavens and on it were shown the lunar mansions in their order, the equator and the degrees of the heavenly circumference. Water, flowing into scoops, turned a wheel automatically, rotating it one complete revolution in one day and night. Besides this, there were two rings fitted around the celestial sphere outside, having the sun and moon threaded on them, and these were made to move in circling orbit ... And they made a wooden casing the surface of which represented the horizon, since the instrument was half sunk in it. It permitted the exact determinations of the time of dawns and dusks, full and new moons, tarrying and hurrying. Moreover, there were two wooden jacks standing on the horizon surface, having one a bell and the other a drum in front of it, the bell being struck automatically to indicate the hours, and the drum being beaten automatically to indicate the quarters. All these motions were brought about by machinery within the casing, each depending on wheels and shafts, hooks, pins and interlocking rods, stopping devices and locks checking mutually.
In addition to being an engineer and official, he was also a scholar and artist. He wrote ''The Five-Planet and Twenty-eight Constellation Deities'' , of which a Song Dynasty copy resides in the collection of the Osaka City Art Museum.
Jun Chen
Jun Chen is a Chinese American astronomer.
She obtained her BS at Beijing University in 1990, and obtained her Ph.D. from the University of Hawaii in 1997.
Working together with and Jane Luu and other astronomers, she has co-discovered a number of Kuiper belt objects.
She is currently working as a software developer in private industry.
She obtained her BS at Beijing University in 1990, and obtained her Ph.D. from the University of Hawaii in 1997.
Working together with and Jane Luu and other astronomers, she has co-discovered a number of Kuiper belt objects.
She is currently working as a software developer in private industry.
Guo Shoujing
Guo Shoujing , courtesy name Ruosi , was a astronomer, engineer, and mathematician born in and lived during the Yuan Dynasty . The later Johann Adam Schall von Bell was so impressed with the preserved astronomical instruments of Guo that he called him "the Tycho Brahe of China."
Guo's father died while he was a child, so he was brought up by his grandfather Guo Yong, who was famed as an expert in a wide range of topics from classical studies to mathematics and hydraulics.
By the age of 15 or 16, he obtained a blueprint for a water clock, and soon realized its principles of operation.
He worked on improving the Chinese gnomon and worked at Kublai Khan's Gaocheng Astronomical Observatory. He set 27 observation centers in different parts of China. There he formulated the in 1281 and calculated the year to be 365.2425 days, only 26 seconds off the real time; this is the same as the Gregorian calendar, but 301 years earlier. It would be used for the next 363 years, the longest a calendar would be used in Chinese history. building upon the knowledge of Shen Kuo's . It is debated amongst scholars whether or not his work in trigonometry was based entirely on the work of Shen, or whether it was partially influenced by Islamic mathematics which was largely accepted at Kublai's court. An important work in trigonometry in China would not be printed again until the collaborative efforts of Xu Guangqi and his Italian Jesuit associate Matteo Ricci in 1607, during the late Ming Dynasty.
He devised a number of astronomical instruments, and conducted large-scale geodetic surveys and celestial observations. Although he did a great deal on the modern calendar, he suggested pi 3, unlike Zu Chongzhi's 3.14159265 and Zhang Heng's 3.142.
In engineering he is best known for constructing the artificial Kunming Lake in Beijing as a and part of a new waterway for grain transport.
Asteroid 2012 Guo Shou-Jing is named after him.
Early life
Guo's father died while he was a child, so he was brought up by his grandfather Guo Yong, who was famed as an expert in a wide range of topics from classical studies to mathematics and hydraulics.
By the age of 15 or 16, he obtained a blueprint for a water clock, and soon realized its principles of operation.
Contributions
He worked on improving the Chinese gnomon and worked at Kublai Khan's Gaocheng Astronomical Observatory. He set 27 observation centers in different parts of China. There he formulated the in 1281 and calculated the year to be 365.2425 days, only 26 seconds off the real time; this is the same as the Gregorian calendar, but 301 years earlier. It would be used for the next 363 years, the longest a calendar would be used in Chinese history. building upon the knowledge of Shen Kuo's . It is debated amongst scholars whether or not his work in trigonometry was based entirely on the work of Shen, or whether it was partially influenced by Islamic mathematics which was largely accepted at Kublai's court. An important work in trigonometry in China would not be printed again until the collaborative efforts of Xu Guangqi and his Italian Jesuit associate Matteo Ricci in 1607, during the late Ming Dynasty.
He devised a number of astronomical instruments, and conducted large-scale geodetic surveys and celestial observations. Although he did a great deal on the modern calendar, he suggested pi 3, unlike Zu Chongzhi's 3.14159265 and Zhang Heng's 3.142.
In engineering he is best known for constructing the artificial Kunming Lake in Beijing as a and part of a new waterway for grain transport.
Asteroid 2012 Guo Shou-Jing is named after him.
Gao Xing
Gao Xing is a Chinese from ?rümqi, Xinjiang. He built Xingming Observatory in 2006 and discovered a Comet C/2008 C1 on February 1, 2008 with Chen Tao from Jiangsu, and hence won the Edgar Wilson Award for 2008. He also discovered several SOHO comets. Now he is working as a physics teacher at Urumqi No.1 High School. He has a daughter.
Ge Yongliang
Gé Yǒngliáng is a astronomer that co-discovered the periodic comet 142P/Ge-Wang. He currently works at Purple Mountain Observatory.
Frank Shu
Frank Shu , is an astrophysicist, author and professor of astronomy at the University of California, Berkeley and the university president of the National Tsing Hua University.
He completed his BS in physics in 1963 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. While still an undergraduate, he developed the still-leading theory governing spiral arms in galaxies, known as the spiral density wave theory. He later received his PhD in astronomy in 1968 at Harvard University.
Shu is known for pioneering theoretical work in a diverse set of fields of astrophysics, including the origin of meteorites, the birth and early and the structure of spiral galaxies. One of his most highly-cited works is a 1977 seminal paper describing the collapse of a dense giant molecular cloud core which forms a star. This model helped provide the basis for much later work on the and planetary systems, although it has been criticized for its shortcomings. Shu has also performed calculations on the structure of planet-forming disks around very young stars, the jets and winds that these stars and their disks generate, and the production of chondrules, inclusions in meteorites. Much of this work has been done in collaboration with his postdocs and graduate students, many of whom have gone on to successful academic careers in their own right.
He served as chair of the astronomy department of UC Berkeley from 1984 until 1988, and has held faculty appointments at the and UC Berkeley. He was president of the National Tsing Hua University from February 2002 until February 2006. He also is a university professor emeritus at UC Berkeley. He is a member of the in the United States and the Academia Sinica in Taiwan.
He is the author of several books, among them ''Physical Universe: An Introduction to Astronomy'' which has become one of the standard textbooks for undergraduate astrophysics courses all over the world.
He completed his BS in physics in 1963 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. While still an undergraduate, he developed the still-leading theory governing spiral arms in galaxies, known as the spiral density wave theory. He later received his PhD in astronomy in 1968 at Harvard University.
Shu is known for pioneering theoretical work in a diverse set of fields of astrophysics, including the origin of meteorites, the birth and early and the structure of spiral galaxies. One of his most highly-cited works is a 1977 seminal paper describing the collapse of a dense giant molecular cloud core which forms a star. This model helped provide the basis for much later work on the and planetary systems, although it has been criticized for its shortcomings. Shu has also performed calculations on the structure of planet-forming disks around very young stars, the jets and winds that these stars and their disks generate, and the production of chondrules, inclusions in meteorites. Much of this work has been done in collaboration with his postdocs and graduate students, many of whom have gone on to successful academic careers in their own right.
He served as chair of the astronomy department of UC Berkeley from 1984 until 1988, and has held faculty appointments at the and UC Berkeley. He was president of the National Tsing Hua University from February 2002 until February 2006. He also is a university professor emeritus at UC Berkeley. He is a member of the in the United States and the Academia Sinica in Taiwan.
He is the author of several books, among them ''Physical Universe: An Introduction to Astronomy'' which has become one of the standard textbooks for undergraduate astrophysics courses all over the world.
Zu Chongzhi
Zu Chongzhi , courtesy name Wenyuan , was a prominent and during the Liu Song and Southern Qi Dynasties.
Zu Chongzhi's ancestry was from modern . To flee from the ravages of war, Zu's grandfather Zu Chang moved to the Yangtze, as part of the massive population movement during the Eastern Jin. Zu Chang at one point held the position of "Minister of Great Works" within the Liu Song and was in charge of government construction projects. Zu's father, Zu Shuo also served the court and was greatly respected for his erudition.
Zu was born in Jiankang. His family had historically been involved in astronomy research, and from childhood Zu was exposed to both astronomy and mathematics. When he was only a youth his talent earned him much repute. When Emperor Xiaowu of Liu Song heard of him, he was sent to an Academy, the Hualin Xuesheng , and later at the Imperial Nanjing University to perform research. In 461 in Nanxu , he was engaged in work at the office of the local governor.
Zu Chongzhi, along with his son Zu Gengzhi, wrote a mathematical text entitled ''Zhui Shu'' . There is a high possibility of astronomical calculation techniques due to the accuracy of his calendars. It is said that the treatise contains formulas for the volume of the sphere, cubic equations and the accurate value of pi. Sadly, this book didn't survive to the present day, since it has been lost since the Song Dynasty.
His mathematical achievements included:
*the Daming calendar introduced by him in 465.
*distinguishing the Sidereal Year and the Tropical Year, and he measured 45 years and 11 months per degree between those two, and today we know the difference is 70.7 years per degree.
*calculating one year as 365.24281481 days, which is very close to 365.24219878 days as we know today.
*calculating the number of overlaps between sun and moon as 27.21223, which is very close to 27.21222 as we know today; using this number he successfully predicted an eclipse four times during 23 years .
*calculating the Jupiter year as about 11.858 Earth years, which is very close to 11.862 as we know of today.
*deriving two approximations of pi, which held as the most accurate approximation for π for over nine hundred years. His best approximation was between 3.1415926 and 3.1415927, with and being the other notable approximations. He obtained the result by approximating a circle with a 12,288 sided polygon. This was an impressive feat for the time, especially considering that the device Counting rods he used for recording intermediate results were merely a pile of wooden sticks laid out in certain patterns. Japanese mathematician Yoshio Mikami pointed out, " was nothing more than the π value obtain several hundred years earlier by the Greek mathematician Archimedes,however Milu could not be found in any Greek, Indian or Arabian manuscripts, not until 1585 mathematician Adriaan Anthoniszoom obtained this fraction; the Chinese possessed this most extraodinary fraction over a whole millennium earlier than Europe". Hence Mikami strongly urged that the fraction be named after Zu Chongzhi as Zu Chongzhi fraction. In Chinese literature, this fraction is known as "Zu rate". Zu rate is a best rational approximation to π, and is the closest rational approximation to π from all fractions with denominator less than 16600.
*finding the volume of a sphere as 4πr?/3, where r is radius.
*discovering the Cavalieri's principle, 1000 years before Bonaventura Cavalieri in the West.
Zu was an accomplished astronomer who calculated the values of time to almost pinpoint precision. His methods of interpolating and the usage of integration is far ahead of his time. Even the astronomer's Yi Xing isn't comparable to his value. The Sung dynasty calendar was backwards to the "Northern barbarians" because they were implementing their daily lives with the ''Da Ming Li''. It is said that his methods of calculation was so advance, the scholars of the Sung dynasty and Indo influence astronomers of the Tang dynasty found it confusing.
Most of Zu's great mathematical works, are recorded in his lost text ''Zhui Shu''. Most scholars argue about his complexity. Since traditionally, the Chinese developed mathematics as algebraic, and equational. Logically, scholars assume that his work, ''Zhui Shu'' yields methods of cubic equations. His works on the accurate value of pi describes the lengthy calculations. Zu used the method of exhaustion, inscribing a 12,288-gon. Interestingly, Zu's value of pi is precise to 8 decimal places. No mathematician since his time, computed a value this precise until another 1000 years. Zu also worked on deducing the formula for the volume of the sphere. Zu used the Cavalieri Method, another method of integral calculus.
The South Pointing Chariot device was first invented by the Chinese mechanical engineer Ma Jun . It was a wheeled vehicle that incorporated an early use of to operate a fixed figurine that would constantly point south, hence enabling one to accurately measure their directional bearings. This effect was achieved not by magnetics , but through intricate mechanics, the same design that allows equal amounts of torque applied to wheels rotating at different speeds for the modern automobile. After the Three Kingdoms period, the device fell out of use temporarily. However, it was Zu Chongzhi who successfully re-invented it in 478 AD, as described in the texts fo the ''Song Shu'' and the ''Nan Chi Shu'', with a passage from the latter below:
When Emperor Wu of Liu Song subdued Guanzhong he obtained the south-pointing carriage of Yao Xing, but it was only the shell with no machinery inside. Whenever it moved it had to have a man inside to turn . In the Sheng-Ming reign period, Gao Di commissioned Zi Zu Chongzhi to reconstruct it according to the ancient rules. He accordingly made new machinery of bronze, which would turn round about without a hitch and indicate the direction with uniformity. Since Ma Jun's time such a thing had not been.
* as Zu Chongzhi rate.
*The lunar crater
*1888 Zu Chong-Zhi is the name of asteroid 1964 VO1.
Life and works
Zu Chongzhi's ancestry was from modern . To flee from the ravages of war, Zu's grandfather Zu Chang moved to the Yangtze, as part of the massive population movement during the Eastern Jin. Zu Chang at one point held the position of "Minister of Great Works" within the Liu Song and was in charge of government construction projects. Zu's father, Zu Shuo also served the court and was greatly respected for his erudition.
Zu was born in Jiankang. His family had historically been involved in astronomy research, and from childhood Zu was exposed to both astronomy and mathematics. When he was only a youth his talent earned him much repute. When Emperor Xiaowu of Liu Song heard of him, he was sent to an Academy, the Hualin Xuesheng , and later at the Imperial Nanjing University to perform research. In 461 in Nanxu , he was engaged in work at the office of the local governor.
Zhui Shu
Zu Chongzhi, along with his son Zu Gengzhi, wrote a mathematical text entitled ''Zhui Shu'' . There is a high possibility of astronomical calculation techniques due to the accuracy of his calendars. It is said that the treatise contains formulas for the volume of the sphere, cubic equations and the accurate value of pi. Sadly, this book didn't survive to the present day, since it has been lost since the Song Dynasty.
His mathematical achievements included:
*the Daming calendar introduced by him in 465.
*distinguishing the Sidereal Year and the Tropical Year, and he measured 45 years and 11 months per degree between those two, and today we know the difference is 70.7 years per degree.
*calculating one year as 365.24281481 days, which is very close to 365.24219878 days as we know today.
*calculating the number of overlaps between sun and moon as 27.21223, which is very close to 27.21222 as we know today; using this number he successfully predicted an eclipse four times during 23 years .
*calculating the Jupiter year as about 11.858 Earth years, which is very close to 11.862 as we know of today.
*deriving two approximations of pi, which held as the most accurate approximation for π for over nine hundred years. His best approximation was between 3.1415926 and 3.1415927, with and being the other notable approximations. He obtained the result by approximating a circle with a 12,288 sided polygon. This was an impressive feat for the time, especially considering that the device Counting rods he used for recording intermediate results were merely a pile of wooden sticks laid out in certain patterns. Japanese mathematician Yoshio Mikami pointed out, " was nothing more than the π value obtain several hundred years earlier by the Greek mathematician Archimedes,however Milu could not be found in any Greek, Indian or Arabian manuscripts, not until 1585 mathematician Adriaan Anthoniszoom obtained this fraction; the Chinese possessed this most extraodinary fraction over a whole millennium earlier than Europe". Hence Mikami strongly urged that the fraction be named after Zu Chongzhi as Zu Chongzhi fraction. In Chinese literature, this fraction is known as "Zu rate". Zu rate is a best rational approximation to π, and is the closest rational approximation to π from all fractions with denominator less than 16600.
*finding the volume of a sphere as 4πr?/3, where r is radius.
*discovering the Cavalieri's principle, 1000 years before Bonaventura Cavalieri in the West.
Astronomy
Zu was an accomplished astronomer who calculated the values of time to almost pinpoint precision. His methods of interpolating and the usage of integration is far ahead of his time. Even the astronomer's Yi Xing isn't comparable to his value. The Sung dynasty calendar was backwards to the "Northern barbarians" because they were implementing their daily lives with the ''Da Ming Li''. It is said that his methods of calculation was so advance, the scholars of the Sung dynasty and Indo influence astronomers of the Tang dynasty found it confusing.
Mathematics
Most of Zu's great mathematical works, are recorded in his lost text ''Zhui Shu''. Most scholars argue about his complexity. Since traditionally, the Chinese developed mathematics as algebraic, and equational. Logically, scholars assume that his work, ''Zhui Shu'' yields methods of cubic equations. His works on the accurate value of pi describes the lengthy calculations. Zu used the method of exhaustion, inscribing a 12,288-gon. Interestingly, Zu's value of pi is precise to 8 decimal places. No mathematician since his time, computed a value this precise until another 1000 years. Zu also worked on deducing the formula for the volume of the sphere. Zu used the Cavalieri Method, another method of integral calculus.
The South Pointing Chariot
The South Pointing Chariot device was first invented by the Chinese mechanical engineer Ma Jun . It was a wheeled vehicle that incorporated an early use of to operate a fixed figurine that would constantly point south, hence enabling one to accurately measure their directional bearings. This effect was achieved not by magnetics , but through intricate mechanics, the same design that allows equal amounts of torque applied to wheels rotating at different speeds for the modern automobile. After the Three Kingdoms period, the device fell out of use temporarily. However, it was Zu Chongzhi who successfully re-invented it in 478 AD, as described in the texts fo the ''Song Shu'' and the ''Nan Chi Shu'', with a passage from the latter below:
When Emperor Wu of Liu Song subdued Guanzhong he obtained the south-pointing carriage of Yao Xing, but it was only the shell with no machinery inside. Whenever it moved it had to have a man inside to turn . In the Sheng-Ming reign period, Gao Di commissioned Zi Zu Chongzhi to reconstruct it according to the ancient rules. He accordingly made new machinery of bronze, which would turn round about without a hitch and indicate the direction with uniformity. Since Ma Jun's time such a thing had not been.
Named for him
* as Zu Chongzhi rate.
*The lunar crater
*1888 Zu Chong-Zhi is the name of asteroid 1964 VO1.
Zhu Jin
Zhu Jin ，a Chinese professional astronomer who has ever discovered Comet C/1997 L1 . Now he is the head of Beijing Planetarium. Now he is living in Beijing and has a daughter.
Zhang Yuzhe
Zhang Yuzhe or Yu-Che Chang was a Chinese astronomer who is widely regarded as the father of modern Chinese astronomy.
He was born in Minhou, . In 1919, he entered Tsinghua University and graduated in 1923. That same year he went to the United States and, in 1925, entered the University of Chicago and got his Ph.D. in 1929. That same year he returned to China and took up a teaching post at National Central University.
While studying in Chicago in 1928, he discovered an asteroid, which was given the provisional designation 1928 UF and later the number 1125. He named it "China" or "中華" . However, this asteroid was "lost", that is, it was not observed beyond its initial appearance and a precise orbit could not be calculated. In 1957, the Purple Mountain Observatory in China discovered a new asteroid, and with his agreement the new object was re-assigned the official designation 1125 China in place of the lost 1928 UF. However, in 1986, the newly discovered object was confirmed to be a rediscovery of the original 1928 UF, and this object was named 3789 Zhongguo. Note "中国" is the word for "China", in pinyin transliteration, and ''Zhōnghuá'' is a slightly older word for "China".
From 1941 to 1950, he was head of the astronomy research institute at National Central University. From 1946 to 1948, he once again went to the United States to study variable stars. From 1950 to 1984, he was director of Purple Mountain Observatory, and, from 1955 on, he was a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
He devoted himself to observing and calculating the orbits of minor planets and comets. Many asteroids were discovered at Purple Mountain Observatory, as well as three new comets: two periodic, 60P/Tsuchinshan and 62P/Tsuchinshan , and one not, C/1977 V1. The name "Tsuchinshan" is an obsolete transliteration corresponding to the modern pinyin "Z?jīn Shān", which is for "Purple Mountain".
He studied the light curves of asteroids and thus their rotation, and also studied the variable star CZ Cassiopeiae, and the evolution of the orbit of Comet Halley.
Zhang Yuzhe is credited by the Minor Planet Center for the discovery of 3789 Zhongguo under the name "Y. C. Chang". The asteroid 2051 Chang is named after him.
He was born in Minhou, . In 1919, he entered Tsinghua University and graduated in 1923. That same year he went to the United States and, in 1925, entered the University of Chicago and got his Ph.D. in 1929. That same year he returned to China and took up a teaching post at National Central University.
While studying in Chicago in 1928, he discovered an asteroid, which was given the provisional designation 1928 UF and later the number 1125. He named it "China" or "中華" . However, this asteroid was "lost", that is, it was not observed beyond its initial appearance and a precise orbit could not be calculated. In 1957, the Purple Mountain Observatory in China discovered a new asteroid, and with his agreement the new object was re-assigned the official designation 1125 China in place of the lost 1928 UF. However, in 1986, the newly discovered object was confirmed to be a rediscovery of the original 1928 UF, and this object was named 3789 Zhongguo. Note "中国" is the word for "China", in pinyin transliteration, and ''Zhōnghuá'' is a slightly older word for "China".
From 1941 to 1950, he was head of the astronomy research institute at National Central University. From 1946 to 1948, he once again went to the United States to study variable stars. From 1950 to 1984, he was director of Purple Mountain Observatory, and, from 1955 on, he was a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
He devoted himself to observing and calculating the orbits of minor planets and comets. Many asteroids were discovered at Purple Mountain Observatory, as well as three new comets: two periodic, 60P/Tsuchinshan and 62P/Tsuchinshan , and one not, C/1977 V1. The name "Tsuchinshan" is an obsolete transliteration corresponding to the modern pinyin "Z?jīn Shān", which is for "Purple Mountain".
He studied the light curves of asteroids and thus their rotation, and also studied the variable star CZ Cassiopeiae, and the evolution of the orbit of Comet Halley.
Zhang Yuzhe is credited by the Minor Planet Center for the discovery of 3789 Zhongguo under the name "Y. C. Chang". The asteroid 2051 Chang is named after him.
Zhang Sixun
Zhang Sixun was a Chinese astronomer and military engineer from during the early Song Dynasty . He is credited with creating an armillary sphere for his astronomical clock tower that employed the use of liquid . The liquid mercury filled scoops of the waterwheel would rotate and thus provide the effect of an escapement mechanism in clockworks and allow the astronomical armillary sphere to rotate as needed. His device also employed the use of in the closed circuit of the clepsydra and waterwheel instead of water, because water would freeze easily during winter, while mercury could assure smooth and continual function and time-keeping during the cold season. The later Su Song wrote that after Zhang's death, no one could replicate what he had achieved, much like with Su Song himself and his astronomical clock tower after his own death.
The later Song Dynasty historical text of the '''' records Zhang's work :
At the beginning of the Thai-Phing Hsing-Kuo reign-period the Szechuanese Chang Ssu-Hsun , a student in the Bureau of Astronomy, invented an astronomical clock and presented the designs to the emperor Thai Tsung, who ordered artisans of the Imperial Workshops to construct it within the Palace. On a kuei-mao day in the first month of the 4th year the elaborate machine was completed, and the emperor caused it to be placed under the eastern drum-tower of the Wen-Ming Hall.
The system of Chang Ssu-Hsun was as follows: they built a tower of three storeys more than ten feet in height, within which was concealed all the machinery. It was round the heavens, and square the earth. Below there was set up the lower wheel , lower shaft , and the framework base . There were also horizontal wheels , wheels fixed sideways , and slanting wheels ; bearings for fixing them in place , a central coupling device and a smaller coupling device ; with a main transmission shaft . Seven jacks rang bells on the left, struck a large bell on the right, and beat a drum in the middle to indicate clearly the passing of the quarter.
Each day and night the machinery made one complete revolution, and the seven luminaries moved their positions around the ecliptic. Twelve other wooden jacks were also made to come out at each of the hours, one after the other, bearing tablets indicating the time. The lengths of the days and nights were determined by the numbers of the quarters . At the upper part of the machinery there were the top piece , upper gear, upper linking device , upper ratchet pin , celestial gear-box , upper framework beam carrying bearings , and the upper connecting-chain . There were also the 365 degrees the sun, moon, and five planets; as well as the Purple Palace , the lunar mansions in their ranks, and the Great Bear, together with the equator and the ecliptic which indicated how the changes of the advance and regression of heat and cold depend upon the measured motions of the sun.
The motive power of the clock was water, according to the method which had come down form Chang Heng in the Han Dynasty through I-Hsing and Liang Ling-tsan in the Khai-Yuan reign period . But the bronze and iron had long gone to rust and could no longer move automatically. Moreover, as during winter the water partly froze and its flow was greatly reduced, the machinery lost its exactness, and there was no constancy between the hot and cold weather. Now, therefore, mercury was employed as a substitute, and there were no more errors...The images of the sun and moon were also attached high up and according to the old method they had been moved by human hand , but now success was attained in having them move automatically. This was a marvellous thing. Ssu-Hsun was considered the equal of the Thang clock-makers and was made Special Assistant in charge of the Armillary Sphere .
Historical texts
The later Song Dynasty historical text of the '''' records Zhang's work :
At the beginning of the Thai-Phing Hsing-Kuo reign-period the Szechuanese Chang Ssu-Hsun , a student in the Bureau of Astronomy, invented an astronomical clock and presented the designs to the emperor Thai Tsung, who ordered artisans of the Imperial Workshops to construct it within the Palace. On a kuei-mao day in the first month of the 4th year the elaborate machine was completed, and the emperor caused it to be placed under the eastern drum-tower of the Wen-Ming Hall.
The system of Chang Ssu-Hsun was as follows: they built a tower of three storeys more than ten feet in height, within which was concealed all the machinery. It was round the heavens, and square the earth. Below there was set up the lower wheel , lower shaft , and the framework base . There were also horizontal wheels , wheels fixed sideways , and slanting wheels ; bearings for fixing them in place , a central coupling device and a smaller coupling device ; with a main transmission shaft . Seven jacks rang bells on the left, struck a large bell on the right, and beat a drum in the middle to indicate clearly the passing of the quarter.
Each day and night the machinery made one complete revolution, and the seven luminaries moved their positions around the ecliptic. Twelve other wooden jacks were also made to come out at each of the hours, one after the other, bearing tablets indicating the time. The lengths of the days and nights were determined by the numbers of the quarters . At the upper part of the machinery there were the top piece , upper gear, upper linking device , upper ratchet pin , celestial gear-box , upper framework beam carrying bearings , and the upper connecting-chain . There were also the 365 degrees the sun, moon, and five planets; as well as the Purple Palace , the lunar mansions in their ranks, and the Great Bear, together with the equator and the ecliptic which indicated how the changes of the advance and regression of heat and cold depend upon the measured motions of the sun.
The motive power of the clock was water, according to the method which had come down form Chang Heng in the Han Dynasty through I-Hsing and Liang Ling-tsan in the Khai-Yuan reign period . But the bronze and iron had long gone to rust and could no longer move automatically. Moreover, as during winter the water partly froze and its flow was greatly reduced, the machinery lost its exactness, and there was no constancy between the hot and cold weather. Now, therefore, mercury was employed as a substitute, and there were no more errors...The images of the sun and moon were also attached high up and according to the old method they had been moved by human hand , but now success was attained in having them move automatically. This was a marvellous thing. Ssu-Hsun was considered the equal of the Thang clock-makers and was made Special Assistant in charge of the Armillary Sphere .
Zhang Jiaxiang
Zhang Jiaxiang is or was a Chinese astronomer affiliated with Purple Mountain Observatory, and president of the Minor Planet Foundation at that observatory. His name is sometimes given as Chia-Hsiang Chang.
He discovered asteroid 1957 VA .
He discovered asteroid 1957 VA .
Zhang Daqing
Zhang Daqing is a Chinese amateur astronomer. He is from Henan province.
He co-discovered periodic comet 153P/Ikeya-Zhang. He is the first Chinese amateur astronomer who has a comet name after him. He is also a telescope maker. Periodic comet 153P/Ikeya-Zhang is discovered by his self-made telescope on Feb.1st 2002.
He co-discovered periodic comet 153P/Ikeya-Zhang. He is the first Chinese amateur astronomer who has a comet name after him. He is also a telescope maker. Periodic comet 153P/Ikeya-Zhang is discovered by his self-made telescope on Feb.1st 2002.
Xu Guangqi
Xu Guangqi , courtesy name Zixian , was a Chinese bureaucrat, agricultural scientist, astronomer, and mathematician in the Ming Dynasty. Xu was a colleague and collaborator of the Italian Jesuits Matteo Ricci and Sabatino de Ursis and they translated several classic Western texts into Chinese, including part of ''Euclid's Elements''. He was also the author of the ''Nong Zheng Quan Shu'', one of the first comprehensive treatises on the subject of agriculture.
Xu Guangqi was born in Shanghai, where his final resting place would be as well. Xu received the equivalent of his bachelor's degree at 19, but did not receive higher degrees until his thirties. Afterwards, he spent the majority of his time in positions of high office serving the Ming court. Ricci's influence led to Xu being baptized as a in 1603, under the name "Paul Xu Guangqi". Like Wang Zhen, Xu lived in troubled times, and was devoted as a patriot to aiding the rural farmers of China. His main interests were in irrigation, fertilizers, famine relief, economic crops, and empirical observation with early notions of chemistry.
*The Fundamentals of Agriculture : quotations from the classics on the importance of encouraging agriculture
*Field System : land distribution, field management
*Agricultural Tasks : clearing land, tilling; also a detailed exposition on settlement schemes
*Water Control : various methods of irrigation, types of irrigation equipment, and the last two chapters devoted to new Western-style irrigation equipment
*Illustrated Treatise on Agricultural Implements : based largely on Wang Zhen's book of 1313 AD
*Horticulture : vegetables and fruit
*Sericulture : silk production
*Further Textile Crops : cotton, hemp, etc.
*Silviculture : forestry preservation
*Animal Husbandry
*Culinary Preparations
*Famine Control : administrative measures, famine flora
Life
Xu Guangqi was born in Shanghai, where his final resting place would be as well. Xu received the equivalent of his bachelor's degree at 19, but did not receive higher degrees until his thirties. Afterwards, he spent the majority of his time in positions of high office serving the Ming court. Ricci's influence led to Xu being baptized as a in 1603, under the name "Paul Xu Guangqi". Like Wang Zhen, Xu lived in troubled times, and was devoted as a patriot to aiding the rural farmers of China. His main interests were in irrigation, fertilizers, famine relief, economic crops, and empirical observation with early notions of chemistry.
*The Fundamentals of Agriculture : quotations from the classics on the importance of encouraging agriculture
*Field System : land distribution, field management
*Agricultural Tasks : clearing land, tilling; also a detailed exposition on settlement schemes
*Water Control : various methods of irrigation, types of irrigation equipment, and the last two chapters devoted to new Western-style irrigation equipment
*Illustrated Treatise on Agricultural Implements : based largely on Wang Zhen's book of 1313 AD
*Horticulture : vegetables and fruit
*Sericulture : silk production
*Further Textile Crops : cotton, hemp, etc.
*Silviculture : forestry preservation
*Animal Husbandry
*Culinary Preparations
*Famine Control : administrative measures, famine flora
Wei Pu
Wei Pu was an 11th century astronomer of the Song Dynasty . He was born a commoner, but eventually rose to prominence as an astronomer working for the imperial court at the capital of Kaifeng. Wei became a trusted colleague of the famous statesman and scientist Shen Kuo , who served as the head official for the Bureau of Astronomy, and worked on various projects with Wei Pu.
When Shen Kuo became the Supervisor of the Directorate of Astronomy in 1072 AD, Wei Pu became Shen's protege, and was eager to partake in Shen's ideal reforms to the Chinese calendar system. Shen Kuo calibrated the standard diameter of the sighting tube's width, hence allowing the observation of the polestar indefinitely . They established a system of observing and recording on a star map the exact coordinates of the planets, done three times a night for a total of five years. On the other hand, Wei Pu realized that the old calculation technique for the mean sun was inaccurate compared to the apparent sun, since the latter was ahead of it in the accelerated phase of motion, and behind it in the retarded phase. Hence, he incorporated solar motion into the eclipse theory. The elite, well-educated ministers and leading astronomers were also insulted by the fact that Wei Pu was born a commoner, yet held more expertise in his field than many of them. When Wei and Shen made a public demonstration using the gnomon to prove the doubtful wrong, the other ministers reluctantly agreed to correct the lunar error. This meant that only the very worst errors were corrected for planetary motion, and in his disappointment, Shen wrote, "How sad that the backbiting of that bunch of calendar-makers could have kept him from bringing his art to fruition!"
Achievements at court
When Shen Kuo became the Supervisor of the Directorate of Astronomy in 1072 AD, Wei Pu became Shen's protege, and was eager to partake in Shen's ideal reforms to the Chinese calendar system. Shen Kuo calibrated the standard diameter of the sighting tube's width, hence allowing the observation of the polestar indefinitely . They established a system of observing and recording on a star map the exact coordinates of the planets, done three times a night for a total of five years. On the other hand, Wei Pu realized that the old calculation technique for the mean sun was inaccurate compared to the apparent sun, since the latter was ahead of it in the accelerated phase of motion, and behind it in the retarded phase. Hence, he incorporated solar motion into the eclipse theory. The elite, well-educated ministers and leading astronomers were also insulted by the fact that Wei Pu was born a commoner, yet held more expertise in his field than many of them. When Wei and Shen made a public demonstration using the gnomon to prove the doubtful wrong, the other ministers reluctantly agreed to correct the lunar error. This meant that only the very worst errors were corrected for planetary motion, and in his disappointment, Shen wrote, "How sad that the backbiting of that bunch of calendar-makers could have kept him from bringing his art to fruition!"
Wang Sichao
Wang Sichao is a Chinese astronomy scholar, minor-planet specialist, astronomer, and ufologist.
Sichao is currently working as a researcher at Nanjing's Zijinshan Astronomical Observatory.
In an interview with Xinhuanet, Sichao commented on the International Astronomical Union's over status as a planet:
In an interview with Yangzi Evening Post, Sichao said that he believed a "dimensional flying machine" had flown over Jiangsu, Henan, Xiaxi, and Sichuan on June 30, 2002 and he also noted that since 1971, he and his colleagues at the Zijinshan Astronomical Observatory had been recording multiple UFO phenomenon similar to the June 30th sightings.
Introduction
Sichao is currently working as a researcher at Nanjing's Zijinshan Astronomical Observatory.
In an interview with Xinhuanet, Sichao commented on the International Astronomical Union's over status as a planet:
In an interview with Yangzi Evening Post, Sichao said that he believed a "dimensional flying machine" had flown over Jiangsu, Henan, Xiaxi, and Sichuan on June 30, 2002 and he also noted that since 1971, he and his colleagues at the Zijinshan Astronomical Observatory had been recording multiple UFO phenomenon similar to the June 30th sightings.
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