International Conference on Instruments and Astronomical Development in China

– Commemorating the 730^th Anniversary of Beijing Ancient Observatory of the Yuan

Beijing, China, November 7-8, 2009

First Circular (August 29, 2009)

2009 is the 730^th anniversary of Beijing Ancient Observatory which was built in 1279 by Guo Shoujing of the Yuan Dynasty. It also witnesses the successful construction of LAMOST, so far the most advanced large astronomical instrument of China. The astronomical community of China has decided to christen LAMOST “Guo Shoujing”. This conference is to celebrate these two historical evens in the Chinese astronomical history. Its main theme will be “Instruments and Astronomical Development.”

　　　 Guo Shoujing (1231-1316) was one of the greatest astronomers in Chinese history. His astronomical accomplishments depended greatly on his innovations on astronomical instrumentation. He was the foremost inventor of large astronomical instruments, which increased precision enormously. He constructed the simplified armillary sphere which was not only a great improvement on the armillary sphere, but also was the forerunner of modern installation of astronomical instrument. Using his instruments, he surveyed and measured stars of the whole sky, with the accuracy doubled that of observations made in the previous Song dynasty. The Season Granting System made by him had been officially used for more than 400 years in China, and had great influences in Korea and Japan. We can envision some similarities in LAMOST.

　　  We will invite astronomers and historians from China and other countries to participate in this conference. Focusing on Guo Shoujing and his observatory the topics may extend to various aspects of the history of astronomy and instruments, including prehistoric sites of astronomy, observatories and instruments, observations and calendar making, and instruments and contemporary astronomy.

Sponsors:

National Astronomical Observatory of China, CAS

Institute for the History of Natural Science, CAS

Beijing Planetarium and Ancient Observatory

Organizing Committee:

Fung Kam-wing (Hong Kong), Li Dongsheng, Li Yong (Vice Chairman), Liu Ciyuan, Nam Moon-Hyon (Korea), Qu Anjing, Shi Yunli, Sun Xiaochun (Chairman), Wang Yumin (Vice Chairman),  Xu Fengxian (Secretary)

Registration:

Please return to the Organizing Committee the following form to register.

Full Name:

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Venue:

National Astronomical Observatory

Visa Documents:

Official Invitation Letter will be sent on request to participants outside China. 

Contact Information of the Organizing Committee:

Sun Xiaochun: 13911791715 (mobile)； xcsun@ihns.ac.cn；

Li Yong: 13439573801 (mobile)； yli@bao.ac.cn

Xu Fengxian: 13691548472； xu@ihns.ac.cn