Photo taken on July 12, 2008 shows the gate of the ancient observatory in Beijing, capital of China. The observatory, built in 1442, was the national planetarium in the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. Eight instruments were set on the 14-meter high roof. The observatory carried out observations for nearly 500 years up to 1929. (Xinhua Photo)
Photo taken on July 12, 2008 shows the ancient observatory in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua Photo)
Photo taken on July 12, 2008 shows the instruments at the ancient observatory in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua Photo)
Photo taken on July 12, 2008 shows the celestial globe at the ancient observatory in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua Photo)
Photo taken on July 12, 2008 shows the sextant at the ancient observatory in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua Photo)
Photo taken on July 12, 2008 shows the instruments at the ancient observatory in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua Photo)
Photo taken on July 12, 2008 shows the instruments at the ancient observatory in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua Photo)
Photo taken on July 12, 2008 shows the instruments at the ancient observatory in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua Photo)