Gan De Quotes

China, Astronomer
January 1, 400 – 400 BC.

Gan De was a Chinese astronomer and astrologer born in the State of Qi also known as the Lord Gan . Along with Shi Shen, he is believed to be the first in history known by name to compile a star catalogue, preceded by the anonymous authors of the early Babylonian star catalogues and followed by the Greek Hipparchus who is the first known in the Western tradition to have compiled a star catalogue.

In the year of chan yan..., Jupiter was in [the Zodiacal Division of] Zi, it rose in the morning and went under in the evening together with the Lunar Mansions Xunu, Xu and Wei. It was very large and bright. Apparently, there was a small reddish (chi) star appended (fu) to its side. This is called "an alliance" (tong meng).

Gan De
Jupiter was very large and bright. Apparently, there was a small reddish star appended to its side. This is called "an alliance."

Gan De
- Science
- Stars
- Alliances

Every 12 years Jupiter returns to the same position in the sky; every 370 days it disappears in the fire of the Sun in the evening to the west, 30 days later it reappears in the morning to the east...[Observation in 4th century B.C.]

Gan De
- Morning
- Position
- Return