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Chinese astronomy was equatorial, centered on close observation of circumpolar stars, and was based on different principles from those in traditional Western astronomy, where heliacal risings and settings of zodiac constellations formed the basic ecliptic framework. [2]
It contains collections of earlier Chinese astronomers (Shi Shen, Gan De and Wu Xian) as well as of Indian astronomy (which had reached China in the early centuries AD). Gan De was a Warring States era (5th century BC) astronomer who according to the testimony of the Dunhuang Star Chart enumerated 810 stars in 138 asterisms.
Chinese star names (Chinese: 星 名, xīng míng) are named according to ancient Chinese astronomy and astrology. The sky is divided into star mansions ( 星 宿 , xīng xiù , also translated as "lodges") and asterisms ( 星 官 , xīng guān ).
The Dunhuang map or Dunhuang Star map is one of the first known graphical representations of stars from ancient Chinese astronomy, dated to the Tang dynasty (618–907). Before this map, much of the star information mentioned in historical Chinese texts had been questioned. [2]
This is a timeline of Chinese records and investigations in astronomy. 2137 BC - October 22, the Chinese book, the Book of Documents, records the earliest known solar eclipse. c. 2000 BC - Chinese determine that Jupiter needs 12 years to complete one revolution of its orbit.
The modern constellation Virgo lies across one of the quadrants symbolized by the Azure Dragon of the East (東方青龍, Dōng Fāng Qīng Lóng), and Three Enclosures (三垣, Sān Yuán), that divide the sky in traditional Chinese uranography.
According to traditional Chinese uranography, the modern constellation Monoceros is located within the southern quadrant of the sky, which is symbolized as the Vermillion Bird of the South (南方朱雀, Nán Fāng Zhū Què). The name of the western constellation in modern Chinese is 麒麟座 (qí lín zuò), meaning "the qilin constellation".
According to traditional Chinese uranography, the modern constellation Perseus is located within the western quadrant of the sky, which is symbolized as the White Tiger of the West (西方白虎, Xī Fāng Bái Hǔ). The name of the western constellation in modern Chinese is 英仙座 (yīng xiān zuò), which means "the brave god constellation".