The observatory has a commanding view, being situated on top of Sheshan Mountain. [Photo/WeChat account: sheshanlvyou]
The Sheshan Observatory, a 123-year-old astronomical site in East China's Shanghai, recently reopened to the public after a two-year renovation project.
Located on the top of Sheshan Mountain in the city's Songjiang district, it was the first modern observatory in China and was one of the starting points of China's modern endeavors in astronomy.
It houses a 40-centimeter double-barrel refracting telescope, which was the largest and most advanced telescope in East Asia when it was built in 1900 and completed in 1901.
The telescope has taken nearly 7,000 astronomical photos since then, including some of the earliest photos of the sun, moon, nebulae, planets and galaxies. It also recorded the return of Halley's Comet twice, in 1910 and 1986.
Now operational again, the observatory's telescope is continuing the great work it's done in the past – as seen in these stunning pictures of Halley's Comet it took in 1910 and 1986. [Photo/WeChat account: sheshanlvyou]
However, after more than a century of exposure to humidity and rust, the telescope stopped working in 2005.
In 2021, with the support of the Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission and the Songjiang district government – and under the guidance of the Shanghai Cultural Relics Bureau – renovation work started on the observatory, which is a national key cultural relics protection unit.
The project not only repaired the buildings and facilities of the observatory, but also restored the functions of the telescope, making it able to observe the stars again.
The telescope now serves an important role in astronomical science education. [Photo/WeChat account: sheshanlvyou]
Although the telescope can no longer meet the needs of scientific research in the era of advanced technology, it can still play a key role in popular science education. The observatory plans to hold regular public activities to let people experience the charms of stargazing.
In addition, the renovation also updated the exhibition hall of the adjacent Shanghai Astronomical Museum which displays a rich collection of books, journals, documents and historical relics related to the field.
The Sheshan Observatory is now open for trial operations. Visitors can make reservations via its official WeChat account.
Aside from the compelling attractions of stargazing, Sheshan Observatory is also a perfect place to enjoy the spring scenery.
