Boshun Yang

Boshun Yang is a Research Fellow at the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science (MPIWG) in Berlin, where he works within the Department Artifacts, Action, Knowledge (AAK) as a member of the Visualization and Material Cultures of the Heavens Working Group. Previously, he completed his PhD and held a postdoctoral position at the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC).

Education:

• PhD in History of Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), 2023

Research Focus: Dr. Yang specializes in reconstructing historical Chinese astronomical systems through medieval star maps and ancient catalogs. His work combines material culture analysis with data-driven approaches to trace the evolution of constellation systems across dynasties, particularly examining how observational records were transformed into visual representations. His discovery of the third-century Chen Zhuo star catalog enabled the reconstruction of the oldest complete Chinese constellation system, revealing cross-dynastic knowledge transmission patterns.

Professional Engagements: As assistant editor of the Journal of Astronomical History and Heritage since 2023, he bridges historical research with modern astronomical standardization through his core membership in the International Astronomical Union's Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) and the All Skies Encyclopedia project. His current MPIWG project (2025-2028) investigates the technical production, data sources, and historical usage periods of medieval Chinese star maps.

Collaborative Work: Within the Visualization and Material Cultures of the Heavens Working Group, he contributes to interdisciplinary studies examining how astronomical knowledge materializes across cultures, focusing on East Asian traditions while connecting to global networks of sky observation.