Ancient Chinese Astronomy Exhibition
- An extravaganza of masterly astronomical instruments and chronometers

China is well known for its ingenuity in designing astronomical instruments since ancient times. Using these instruments, the Chinese were able to forecast seasonal changes accurately and to devise its own calendar. This was particularly important as agricultural activities such as sowing and reaping depended very much on the opportune time.

The Hong Kong Science Museum is presenting a special exhibition entitled "Ancient Chinese Astronomy" that features ancient astronomical instruments, chronographs, star maps, meteorites, and interactive models and exhibits. Set in a scene of a city gate and its environs in ancient Beijing, the exhibition brings visitors back to the past to appreciate how the ancient Chinese had created the ingenious astronomical instruments and chronographs. Classified as First Class National Treasures, some of the instruments were seized by the Joint Armies of the Eight Nations from Beijing in 1900. All instruments were returned in 1921 after the First World War and are kept in the Beijing Ancient Observatory. This is the first occasion when these instruments are on display outside Beijing. The instruments are also supplemented by scale models. By experimenting with the scale models, visitors will be able to understand the working principles underlying these instruments. Legendary stories on Chinese constellations, the Sun and Moon will also be introduced and interpreted in the light of modern astronomy.

A Presentation by the Hong Kong Science Museum, Leisure and Cultural Services Department

Major exhibits of the "Ancient Chinese Astronomy" Exhibition are on loan from The Beijing Planetarium, The Beijing Ancient Observatory and The Suzhou Institute of Ancient Astronomic and Timekeeping Instruments. Additional interactive exhibits are jointly developed by the Hong Kong Science Museum and the Hong Kong Space Museum.