Su Song, courtesy name Zirong, was a Chinese polymathic scientist and statesman. Excelling in a variety of fields, he was accomplished in mathematics, astronomy, cartography, geography, horology, pharmacology, mineralogy, metallurgy, zoology, botany, mechanical engineering, hydraulic engineering, civil engineering, invention, art, poetry, philosophy, antiquities, and statesmanship during the Song dynasty (960–1279).
Su Song
The original diagram of Su's book showing the inner workings of his clocktower, for more information, click this thumbnail picture.
Illustration of the inner workings of the Astronomical Clock Tower
A scale model of Su Song's Astronomical Clock Tower
Astronomy in China has a long history stretching from the Shang dynasty, being refined over a period of more than 3,000 years. The ancient Chinese people have identified stars from 1300 BCE, as Chinese star names later categorized in the twenty-eight mansions have been found on oracle bones unearthed at Anyang, dating back to the mid-Shang dynasty. The core of the "mansion" system also took shape around this period, by the time of King Wu Ding.
Wide view of the Crab Nebula.
A method of making observation instruments at the time of the Qing dynasty
Celestial globe from the Qing dynasty
Early European drawing of the Beijing Ancient Observatory.
