The Beijing (Peking) Ancient Observatory is a pre-telescopic observatory located in Beijing (Peking), China. The current observatory was completed in 1442. It assisted the Ming and Qing astronomers in their observation reports for the Emperor. As he was considered the "Son of Heaven" the movements of the heavenly bodies were an important affair. All of the observatory's instruments except the altazimuth theodolite are adorned with bronze dragons at the base, signifying that astronomy was a special discipline for the emperor. A telescope was never added to the collection, although the emperor acquired one and kept it at the palace for personal use. Taken from "The Observatory at Pekin(g). Louis Le Comte. Memoirs and observations topographical, physical, mathematical, mechanical, natural, civil, and ecclesiastical. Made in a late journey through the empire of China, and published in several letters. London, 1698."