Description

Book Synopsis
A reconstruction of the Chinese sky of two thousand years ago, based on analysis of the first star catalogue in China and other sources. Presented in six well-sized star maps for 100 BC, it is especially important for the history of astronomy. The Han sky, with five times more constellations than Ptolemy knew, reflects diverse human activities. The way in which constellations were grouped discloses a systematic cosmology, uniting universe and the state. The work of the three Han schools is comparable to Ptolemy's Almagest. With three detailed Appendices on the constellations of the three schools, well illustrated to demonstrate the relation between sky and human society, this book is valuable not only for astronomy historians and sinologists, but in general for scholars interested in the ancient cultures of Asia.

Trade Review
'...excellent book, which provides one of the best accounts of early Chinese work on the sky in any Western language…' Cheng-Yih (Joseph) Chen, ISIS, 2000.

The Chinese Sky during the Han: Constellating Stars and Society

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    A Hardback by Xiaochun Sun, Jacob Kistemaker

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      Publisher: Brill
      Publication Date: Publication Date: 01/02/1997
      ISBN13: 9789004107373, 978-9004107373
      ISBN10:
      Also in:
      Ancient history Astronomical observation Galaxies and stars

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      A reconstruction of the Chinese sky of two thousand years ago, based on analysis of the first star catalogue in China and other sources. Presented in six well-sized star maps for 100 BC, it is especially important for the history of astronomy. The Han sky, with five times more constellations than Ptolemy knew, reflects diverse human activities. The way in which constellations were grouped discloses a systematic cosmology, uniting universe and the state. The work of the three Han schools is comparable to Ptolemy's Almagest. With three detailed Appendices on the constellations of the three schools, well illustrated to demonstrate the relation between sky and human society, this book is valuable not only for astronomy historians and sinologists, but in general for scholars interested in the ancient cultures of Asia.

      Trade Review
      '...excellent book, which provides one of the best accounts of early Chinese work on the sky in any Western language…' Cheng-Yih (Joseph) Chen, ISIS, 2000.

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