As admirable as the accomplishments of modern-day astronomers, are those of their ancient Chinese counterparts. Long ago, our ancestors understood how to read the astronomical clock, and elaborated on real and perceived connections between celestial and human events. In those days, virtually everyone had some understanding of the heavens. Astronomers observed, recorded, and pondered the significance of celestial phenomena, and knowledge of astronomy affected the actions of rulers.
最令人敬佩的，還是古人的觀察與智慧，在《詩經》、《尚書》那樣久遠的年代，人類老祖宗便已懂得閱讀巨大的天體時鐘，並將天象變化與人間禍福相繫相依，天文曆象是常民皆有的知識，士大夫觀測、紀錄的對象與推算、反省的根據，以及統治者施政的對應甚至預警。