Light pollution to blame at Nanjing observatory  

中科院紫金山天文台因城市光污染改为博物馆

“紫金山天文台因受雾霾影响改为博物馆”的消息引起各界关注，中国科学院紫金山天文台科普部主任张旸26日表示，紫金山天文台改为天文博物馆的主要祸首是城市光污染，大气污染引起的雾霾等次之。

Nanjing (CNS) -- The major reason behind the Purple Mountain Observatory's conversion into an astronomy museum is urban light pollution, rather than haze caused by air pollution, according to an expert at the observatory in Nanjing on Tuesday.

The major function of the observatory now lies in tourism and the promotion of astronomy, said Zhang Yang, who works for the observatory.

The astronomy work of the Purple Mountain Observatory has been transferred to other stations since 2000, he added.

The observatory, which is under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, is situated at the third peak of Purple Mountain on the eastern outskirts of Nanjing, capital of Jiangsu province.

It was the first modern astronomical research institution in China. It was built in 1928 and started operation in 1934.