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  • BBC Sky at Night

    EXPLAINER

    Apr 22, 2021 3 minutes

    How China changed astronomy

    Jamie Carter reveals how China’s thirst for space knowledge traces back to ancient sky-lore

    Our constellations come from ancient Greek and Roman mythology. Many of the brightest stars we see - such as Betelgeuse (Alpha (α) Orionis), Deneb (Alpha (α) Cygni) and Algol (Beta (ᵦ) Persei) - were named in Arabic by Islamic astronomers. What we overlook when we gaze at the night sky is the incredible influence of Chinese astronomers.

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    EDITORIAL Editor Chris Bramley Content Editor Iain Todd Features Editor Ezzy Pearson Art Editor Steve Marsh Production Editor Jess Wilder Reviews Editor Charlotte Daniels CONTRIBUTORS Amy Arthur, Stuart Atkinson, Jamie Carter, Anita Chandran, Blaine

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