Since the year 2009 is the International Year of Astronomy, the UK's New Scientist magazine recently listed the world's nine mysterious ancient observatories. Of them, the Gaocheng Astronomical Observatory located in Henan, China ranks second.

The nine mysterious ancient observatories are: 1. The Torreón of Machu Picchu, Peru; 2. The Gaocheng Astronomical Observatory in Henan, China; 3. The Cheomseongdae Observatory in Gyeongju, South Korea; 4. Chichén Itzá Observatory in Mexico; 5. The Castillo in Mexico; 6. Big Horn Medicine Wheel in Wyoming, US; 7. The site of the Chankillo Observatory in Peru; 8. Stonehenge in the UK; and 9. The Newgrange Mound of Ireland.

By People's Daily Online