The Oldest Complete Sky Atlas: The Dunhuang Star Map

Since the earliest of times, mankind has watched the skies with wonder. Our ancestors documented what they saw, and some of these records have survived, bringing us knowledge of what they veiwed long, long ago. The oldest complete preserved star atlas in known as The Dunhuang Stap Map.

It is an amazing piece of history.



en.wikipedia.org...

The Dunhuang map or Dunhuang Star map is one of the first known graphical representations of stars from ancient Chinese astronomy, dated to the Tang Dynasty (618–907). Before this map, much of the star information mentioned in historical Chinese texts had been questioned.[2] The map provides a graphical verification of the star observations, and are part of a series of pictures on one of the Dunhuang manuscripts. The astronomy behind the map is explained in an educational resource posted on the website of the International Dunhuang Project, where much of the research on the map has been done.[3] The Dunhuang Star map is to date the world's oldest complete preserved star atlas

apod.nasa.gov...

A recent analysis that examines the accuracy and projections used to make it notes the atlas marks positions of over 1,300 stars and outlines 257 Chinese star groups or asterisms. The star positions in the hand drawn atlas were found to be accurate to within a few degrees.

Below is some information on a lecture that is to be given on the Dunhuang Star Map on October 17, 2012.

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“From Dunhuang, China: The Oldest Star Atlas”
Nicolas David, Professor Emeritus, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Wednesday, October 17, 2012, at 7:30 p.m.
Oak Hammock at the University of Florida, Williston Rd and SW 25th Terrace
This lecture is hosted by the Gainesville Society of the Archaeological Institute of America, with UF’s College of Fine Arts, Classics, and Anthropology Departments.

The Dunhuang star atlas was discovered in 1907 in a town on the ancient Silk Road. Only recently has it been thoroughly studied by astronomers. In this lecture Dr. David will describe the atlas and set it in the cultural context of the Warring States, Han and later Tang periods in China. By following a number of clues – costume, paper, taboo characters, handwriting, the names in the document and internal astronomical evidence – Dr. David will suggest a finer dating, explain why the atlas ended up in the far west of Han China, and even identify the author of this remarkable and beautiful product of scientific observation that was also a closely guarded state secret.

More information worth reading can be found in this study:

THE DUNHUANG CHINESE SKY: A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF
THE OLDEST KNOWN STAR ATLAS

www.duke.edu...


Use the link to the International Dunhuang Project below for viewing the Dunhaung Sky Atlas in it's entirety. It is truly a work of art and an important piece of history documenting the work of ancient astronomers.

idp.bl.uk...

Here's a video with a little more information on the history of the Dunhuang Star Map