What is Shen Kuo?
[[Image:Shen Kua.JPG|thumb|280px|Modern artist's impression of Shen Kuo]] '''Shen Kuo''' (or '''Shen Gua''' {{zh|c=沈括|p=Shěn Kuò|w=Shen K'uo}}; 1031–1095) was a [[China|Chinese]] [[scientist]] and [[politician]]. He lived during the [[Song Dynasty]]. He was a [[polymath]], being good at many fields of study. Many of his most important works came from his use of [[astronomy]]. In 1088, Shen was the first to describe the magnetic needle [[compass]], which would be used for navigation. He was also one of the first to suggest that the Earth goes through gradual [[climate change]]. His hobbies consisted of [[music]], [[painting]], [[calligraphy]], and [[philosophy]]. ==Related pages== *[[List of Chinese scientists]] {{DEFAULTSORT:Shen, Kuo}} [[Category:1031 births]] [[Category:1095 deaths]] [[Category:History of China]] [[Category:Chinese inventors]] [[Category:Chinese astronomers]] {{bio-stub}}