Stone Mark of Yunnan First Astronomical Point in Kunming
Overview
Chinese Name: 云南第一天文点石标
Location: Taohua Mountain (太华山顶), Kunming West Hill National Scenic Area (昆明西山国家级风景名胜区)
Era: Modern
Museum: Yunnan Meteorological Museum (云南气象博物馆)
Region: Kunming, Yunnan (云南昆明)
The Stone Mark of Yunnan First Astronomical Point is a provincial-level cultural relic that commemorates the first accurate measurement of latitude and longitude in Yunnan. This significant site marks the beginning of geodetic surveying in China, initiated during the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty. In 1934, Chen Yide (陈一得) successfully led a re-measurement of Kunming’s (昆明) latitude and longitude, establishing the site as Yunnan’s first astronomical point. A stone mark was erected, which contains original measurement data sealed within it.
This site is the only accurate original latitude and longitude measurement point in China, apart from the Beijing Observatory (北京观象台), and represents the earliest and most accurate base measurement of Kunming’s latitude and longitude using new surveying methods, thus holding significant scientific research and historical value.
Introduction to the Relic
A stone tablet inscribed with “Yunnan First Astronomical Point” stands prominently along Shilin Road (士林道) on the campus of Yunnan University (云南大学). Erected by the Kunming Municipal Government (昆明市人民政府) in September 1997, the tablet states that the earliest geodetic survey in Yunnan was conducted from the 49th to 57th year of the Kangxi reign (1710-1718). The initial data indicated that Kunming County (昆明县) was located at a northern latitude of 25°6′ and a western longitude of 13°38′ from the capital.
In 1934, the Yunnan Provincial Education Department (云南省教育厅), Yunnan University, and the Kunming Yide Observatory (昆明一得测候所) organized a re-measurement. The new data showed the coordinates as 102°41′58.88″ east longitude and 25°3′21.19″ north latitude. This site remains unique in China for its accurate original measurements outside of Beijing, marking a significant advancement in geodetic surveying.
The stone tablet is accompanied by a base stone measuring 240 cm in length, 180 cm in width, and 50 cm in height, resembling an upside-down turtle. This site has quietly stood in front of the Wendaizi Building (云大会泽楼) and Wenjin Building (文津楼) for over eighty years, becoming a well-known cultural landmark within Yunnan University.
Inscriptions and Observations
On the southern side of the stone mark, an inscription written by then-president He Yao (何瑶) of Yunnan University reads “Yunnan University Astronomical Point.”
On the northern side, there is a brief record of the observations, originally inscribed as follows:
云XX (字迹模糊-笔者注) 地经纬度自二百二十四年前初测云南府昆明县北极高二十五度六分京师偏西十三度三十八分至今中华民国二十三年冬由云南省政府教育厅云南省教育经费委员会云南通志馆云南省立云南大学昆明市一得测候所发起复测大学校长何瑶主其事十二月十九日夜七时起在大学体育场用六十度等高仪天文时计无线电收音机实行试测是后四夜正式测量“观镜者沈文候，纪录者浦光宗，读表者陈秉仁，共计测星二百，结果较前精密并测真子午线——测处定为云南第一天文点特立石标为志”。
Inside the stone mark, a subterranean chamber was constructed to preserve the original observation records. The entrance to the chamber is circular and located at the center of the stone mark. Lifting the concrete cover reveals a copper lid, inscribed with the re-measured latitude and longitude data of Kunming.
Historical Events
In 1934, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the National Government (国民政府外交部) dispatched Shen Wenhou (沈文候) and others, equipped with valuable instruments, to survey the border between China and Myanmar. Chen Bingren (陈秉仁), upon hearing of this, proposed to the Yunnan Provincial Education Fund Committee (云南省教育经费委员会) to request the Provincial Education Department to oversee the determination of the provincial latitude and longitude to correct maps, which was unanimously approved.
The Education Department subsequently organized the measurement at the Yunnan University stadium under the leadership of President He Yao. They invited Shen Wenhou to bring instruments for observation. Chen Yide represented the Provincial Education Fund Committee, the Yunnan Gazetteer Institute (云南通志馆), and the Yide Observatory, while Pu Guangzong (浦光宗) represented Yunnan University in the observation work.
Starting at 7 PM on December 19, the team used a 60-degree theodolite, astronomical clock, and radio receiver for a trial measurement, followed by formal measurements over the next four nights. The results, with observers Shen Wenhou, recorder Pu Guangzong, and reader Chen Bingren, involved measuring 200 stars, resulting in more precise coordinates, and establishing the site as Yunnan’s First Astronomical Point.
Upon completion, Chen Bingren authored “Detailed Report on the Actual Measurement of the Latitude and Longitude of Yunnan,” published in the journal Education and Science (教育与科学) (1938, Issues 8 and 9).
http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_51ec9abf0102w3so.html
