On the afternoon of October 23, the Joint Science College (JSC) held the 10th "Scientific Research Causerie" in R. 107, Songxin Building,. The ANU Physics teaching staff, Aaron Tranter, Tony Tran, Tony Yan and Ren Jinliang, as well as the college student representatives attended the event, hosted by Li Hongtai, an applied physics major student, 2023 cohort.
The activity integrated the scientific inheritance with cultural experience. The host first provided a systematic introduction to the scientific principles and structural features of two major ancient Chinese astronomical instruments—the Armillary Sphere (Hunyi) and the Sundial (Rigui). He started from the "Celestial Model" of the universe, explaining how the concentric rings of the equatorial, ecliptic, and meridian bands work together to precisely simulate the motion of celestial bodies. Then he explained the inherent connection between sundial shadow formation and time measurement based on optical propagation principles, showing both its scientific and practical value. In the practical session, teachers and students participated in assembling models of the Armillary Sphere and Sundial, completing the assembly in eight steps. This hands-on activity allowed participants to experience the wisdom and craftsmanship behind these traditional Chinese astronomical instruments.
In his closing remarks, Aaron Tranter expressed that the event gave him a more intuitive understanding of the scientific spirit of ancient Chinese astronomy. Through hands-on assembly process, he not only appreciated the ingenious designs and rigorous logic embedded in these traditional Chinese instruments but also deeply felt the wisdom and perseverance of ancient scholars in exploring the laws of the universe with limited tools. As a physics teacher, he believed that this practical, experiential teaching method made scientific principles more tangible and provided new insights into the exchange and integration of Chinese and Western scientific cultures.
Through the combination of theoretical explanations and scientific practice, the event deepened students' understanding of research paths while fostering cross-cultural communication through creative craftsmanship. In the future, the Institute will continue to promote cultural exchange through diverse activities, helping students deepen their research literacy and achieve comprehensive development through cross-cultural practice.
