摘要
中国古代认为天象是天道的显示,天文学历来是由官方掌管的知识。天文官员负责天文观测、编制星表并绘制星图、制定历法、记录异常天象并在需要时提供星占学解释,为了进行天文观测要制造天文仪器,对天文现象要从天地的起源、结构和运行等方面进行解释。这些因素决定了中国传统天文学知识的组成结构主要包括:天文观测,编制星表和星图,制定历法,制造天文仪器,阐释宇宙理论,进行占星活动等。中国传统天文学知识结构具有若干明确的特征。由于宇宙观和天文观测实践对北极的重视,所以采用以二十八宿为参照系的赤道坐标系作为主要的坐标系统。在有机的天体运行观下,形成了宇宙创生论、律历相关等思想,将太阳每天运行定为一度,因而将周天划分为365.25度。形成了独特连续的历法系统,历法不仅计算历日,还要计算多项内容,唐代《大衍历》之后,基本上形成了具有规范化的体例。天文计算采用代数方法,与古希腊的几何方法完全不同。由于普通天文官员并不都熟悉历法计算原理,所以具体历法计算中采用机械的程式化推算工具使得复杂的计算简便易行。连续的异常天象记录形成了世界上独特而宝贵的历史天文记录。
In ancient China,celestial phenomena were viewed as manifestations of the Way of Heaven(天道,Tiandao),and astronomy was historically knowledge controlled by official authorities.Astronomical officials were responsible for celestial observations,compiling star catalogs,and creating star charts,establishing calendrical systems,recording celestial anomalies,and providing astrological interpretations when required.They also needed to manufacture astronomical instruments and explain celestial phenomena in terms of the origin,structure,and operation of heaven and earth.These responsibilities determined the main components of traditional Chinese astronomical knowledge,which included:celestial observation,compilation of star catalogs and charts,establishment of calendrical systems,manufacture of astronomical instruments,interpretation of cosmological theories,and astrological practices.Traditional Chinese astronomical knowledge possessed several distinct characteristics.Due to the emphasis on the celestial pole in both cosmological views and observational practices,the equatorial coordinate system based on the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions(宿,Xiu)was adopted as the primary coordinate system.Under an interconnected view of celestial motion,concepts such as cosmogony and the correlation between musical pitch-standards and the calendar were developed.The sun's daily motion was defined as one du,thus dividing the celestial circle into 365.25 du.A unique and continuous calendrical system evolved,which calculated not only calendar dates but also multiple other parameters.After the Dayan Calendar of the Tang Dynasty,a standardized format emerged.Astronomical calculations employed algebraic methods,distinctly different from the geometric approaches of ancient Greece.Since ordinary astronomical officials were not all familiar with the theoretical principles of calendar-making,mechanical and procedural calculation tools were developed to simplify complex computations.The continuous recording of anomaly celestial phenomena created unique and valuable historical astronomical records unparalleled in the world.
出处
《科学文化评论》
2025年第3期5-20,共16页
Science & Culture Review
基金
中国科学院战略研究专项:中国科学院自然科学史研究所“十四五”重大项目“中国科技传统及其现实意义研究”(项目编号:E3293G02)。
关键词
中国传统天文学
天文知识结构
历法
天象
traditional Chinese astronomy
structure of astronomical knowledge
calendrical system
celestial phenomena
