Related News
From two observatories to one legacy
Print Edition
The modern Shanghai Astronomical Observatory unites two historic institutions: Xujiahui Observatory and Sheshan Observatory.
Xujiahui Observatory, founded in 1872 near the tomb of Xu Guangqi — Shanghai’s earliest astronomer — has a legacy steeped in history. Xu co-translated “Euclid’s Elements” with Matteo Ricci in 1607, introducing Western science to China. Starting in 1882, the observatory issued China’s first coastal weather forecasts and later collaborated with Greenwich Observatory on lunar occultation studies, marking the dawn of modern astronomical research in China.
By the late 19th century, French astronomer Marc de Chastelain and his colleagues raised funds to commission the 40-centimeter telescope from Paris, initially destined for Xujiahui. The area’s soft soil proved unsuitable, prompting the construction of Sheshan Observatory. Chastelain, the observatory’s first director, was a tireless scientist who documented every clear night between 1900 and 1925, leaving behind a treasure trove of observations and photographs.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
