They were the largest of their kind in the Far East at the time. Today, telescopes far and wide falling under the umbrella of Nanjing Purple Mountain Observatory continue to make significant contributions to astronomical observation. No wonder it is known as the “Cradle of Chinese astronomy”.
他们是当时远东地区最大的同类。 今天，远在南京紫山天文台旗下的望远镜继续为天文观测做出重大贡献。 难怪它被称为“中国天文学的摇篮”。
Located atop the third highest peak of Purple Mountain, the Observatory dates back to 1929, when it was proposed by Cai Yuanpei, President of the Central Research Institute and Academia Sinica. With construction completed in 1934, this was the first modern Observatory designed and built by China.
天文台位于紫山第三高峰的顶部，可以追溯到1929年，当时由中央研究所和中科院院长蔡元培提出。 1934年竣工，这是中国设计和建造的第一个现代天文台。
Large variations in topography necessitated many sets of steps be constructed linking the various buildings which make up the observatory complex. Simplifying matters, locally mined rubble was used for the job.
地形的巨大变化需要建造许多台阶来连接构成天文台建筑群的各种建筑。 简化事务，当地开采的瓦砾被用于这项工作。
Once complete, the observatory was equipped with numerous celestial-related equipment, including a 600 mm reflector telescope, 200 mm refractor telescope and a double-layer prism spectrophotometer. Outside, visitors to the complex today will also find an armillary sphere, gnomon, theodolite horizon and much more.
完工后，天文台配备了许多与天体相关的设备，包括600毫米反射望远镜、200毫米折射望远镜和双层棱镜分光光度计。 在外面，今天参观建筑群的游客还会发现一个臂形球体、格诺蒙、石地平线等等。
The Observatory’s principal telescope had been purchased from German optics experts Zeiss and was the largest astronomical telescope in China at that time.
天文台的主要望远镜是从德国光学专家蔡司那里购买的，是当时中国最大的天文望远镜。
In September 1994, Purple Mountain Observatory established the Astronomical History Museum using ancient and modern astronomical instruments plus a large number of star maps and photos. The Museum has become an significant draw for science-based education and as a tourist attraction.
1994年9月，紫山天文台使用古代和现代天文仪器以及大量的星图和照片建立了天文历史博物馆。 博物馆已经成为以科学为基础的教育和旅游景点的重要景点。
Put in to use, Purple Mountain Observatory participated in international measurement efforts, accurately determining the longitude and latitude of major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Nanjing itself.
投入使用，紫山天文台参与了国际测量工作，准确地确定了北京、上海和南京等主要城市的经纬度。
Meanwhile, the Observatory is also credited by the Minor Planet Centre as discovering some 149 minor planets between 1955 and 1983.
与此同时，小行星中心还认为天文台在1955年至1983年间发现了大约149颗小行星。
Today, the 4A-rated scenic attraction occupies an area of 700 square metres and is a Key National Cultural Relics Protection Unit, one of 5,000 or so in all of China.
如今，该4A级景区占地700平方米，是全国重点文物保护单位，是全中国5000个左右的文物保护单位之一。
By way of a final nod to its origins, the Traditional Chinese characters for “Observatory” (天文臺) on the archway’s lintel, inscribed by Lin Sen, Chairman of the National Government, are well preserved to this day.
作为对其起源的最后点頭，国政府主席林森铭刻在拱门楣上的“天文台”（天文台）的繁体汉字保存至今。