The year 1688 in science and technology included a number of events, some of which are listed here.

Astronomy

• The constellation Sceptrum Brandenburgicum is named by Gottfried Kirch.

Exploration

• A French Jesuit scientific mission led by Jean de Fontaney arrives in China.^[1]

Mathematics

• Simon de la Loubère introduces the Siamese method for constructing any size of n-odd magic square to Western Europe.^[2]

Technology

• Earliest known mention of the balalaika.

Births

• January 29 – Emanuel Swedenborg, Swedish scientist and theologian (died 1772)
• April 4 – Joseph-Nicolas Delisle, French astronomer (died 1768)
• August 14 – Johann Leonhard Rost, German astronomer (died 1727)
• September 26 – Willem 's Gravesande, Dutch polymath (died 1742)
• November 15 – Louis Bertrand Castel, French Jesuit mathematician and physicist (died 1757)

Deaths

• January 28 – Ferdinand Verbiest, Flemish Jesuit astronomer in China (born 1623)
• October 9 – Claude Perrault, French architect and physicist (born 1613)
• November 11 – Jean-Baptiste de La Quintinie, French horticulturalist (born 1626)