Famous Chinese Astronomers

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 1 
Zhang Heng
(Chinese Polymath Who Invented the World's First Seismoscope)
Zhang Heng
3
Birthdate: 0078 AD
Birthplace: Nanyang, China
Died: 0139 AD

Chinese polymath Zhang Heng, or Chang Heng, was, at the same time, a mathematician, an astronomer, a geographer, a poet, a seismologist, an artist, and much more. His countless inventions include the world's first seismoscope. He documented over 2,000 stars and modified the Chinese calculations for pi.

 2 
Su Song
(Chinese Statesman and Polymathic Scientist of 11th Century)
Su Song
3
Birthdate: 1020 AD
Birthplace: China
Died: 1101 AD

Su Song was a Chinese statesman and polymathic scientist. Best remembered for his contributions to various fields of study, Song was accomplished in astronomy, geography, cartography, mathematics, pharmacology, horology, mineralogy, botany, zoology, hydraulic engineering, mechanical engineering, poetry, art, philosophy, and statesmanship. Su Song is also remembered for his work on an astronomical clock tower, which implemented an early escapement mechanism.

 3 
Xu Guangqi
(Ming Dynasty Official and One of the Most Prominent Chinese Converts to Christianity)
Xu Guangqi
3
Birthdate: April 24, 1562
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Shanghai, Songjiang, Southern Zhili, China
Died: November 8, 1633

Xu Guangqi, or Paul, was a Chinese official of the Ming dynasty and one of the most prominent Chinese converts before the 20th century. An agronomist, a mathematician, an astronomer, a politician, and an author, he translated many Western works. He was also known as one of the Three Pillars of Chinese Catholicism.

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 4 
Zu Chongzhi
(Chinese Astronomer, Mathematician, Politician, Inventor and Writer)
Zu Chongzhi
3
Birthdate: 0429 AD
Birthplace: China
Died: 0500 AD

Chinese astronomer, engineer, and mathematician Zu Chongzhi is best remembered for calculating near-accurate approximations for π. He rejected the then-prevalent Yuanjia calendar and introduced the Daming calendar instead. He had also worked on the mathematical theory of music, though his writings haven’t survived the test of time.

 5 
Wang Chong
(Meteorologist)
Wang Chong
2
Birthdate: 0027 AD
Birthplace: Shangyu District, Shaoxing, China
Died: 0100 AD
 6 
Li Chunfeng
(Mathematician)
Li Chunfeng
1
Birthdate: 0602 AD
Birthplace: China
Died: 0670 AD

Chinese mathematician and astronomer Li Chunfeng rejected the existing Wuyin calendar and redesigned it later, creating the Linde calendar, using a new armillary sphere, as part of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau. He also wrote several mathematical and historical treatises, apart from contributing to music, metrology, and astrology.

 7 
Tao Hongjing
(Chinese Alchemist, Calligrapher, Astronomer, Physician, Musician, Pharmacologist, Writer, and Military General)
Tao Hongjing
1
Birthdate: 0456 AD
Birthplace: Nanjing, China
Died: 0536 AD
 8 
Minggantu
(Astronomer)
Minggantu
1
Birthdate: 1692 AD
Birthplace: Inner Mongolia, China
Died: 1763 AD
 9 
Mei Juecheng
(Politician)
Mei Juecheng
0
Birthdate: May 19, 1681
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Xuancheng, China
Died: November 20, 1763
 10 
Zhao Youqin
(Mathematician)
Zhao Youqin
0
Birthdate: July 26, 1271
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Poyang, China
Died: 1335 AD
 11 
Mei Wending
(Writer)
Mei Wending
0
Birthdate: 1633 AD
Birthplace: Xuancheng, China
Died: 1721 AD
 12 
Zhi zao Li
(Mathematician)
Zhi zao Li
1
Birthdate: 1565 AD
Birthplace: Hangzhou, China
Died: December 1, 1630