• Publications of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.219-227
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• 2007

In this paper, we analyze the scientific inquiries type on Almanac and Historical Astronomy asked through the Q&A service in Korea Astronomy and Science Institute(KASI) webpage with the aid of scientific inquiries analysis methods. We also study the contents of the questions. Specifically, we have created statistics of questions and inquiries, and have developed categories to analyze the characteristics of questions with regard to their cognitive aspects. Each question is categorized as either of the two elements based on their recognitive aspect: science knowledge or science study. Each element also has sub-categories that help the reader understand the characteristics of the questions. For the analysis, we used the sample consisting of questions collected from April, 2005 to June, 2007. Through this study, we achieved a better understanding of the questions in the area of Almanac and Historical Astronomy asked in the Q&A service. Throughout this study, we find that the need of questions in the area of Almanac and Historical Astronomy are increasing with time, and the overall quality of the questions is getting improved. As we expect that the number of people using our Q&A service will increase and that the questions will get more difficult to answer, development of improved contents is required.

• Bulletin of the Korean Space Science Society
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• 2011.04a
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• pp.19.4-20
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• 2011

In this paper, we analyze time data (i.e., new moon time, sunrise and sunset times, twenty-four seasonal subdivision times, and so forth) in the Japanese astronomical almanacs between 1885 and 1943. During this period, two types of astronomical almanacs were published in Japan; Honreki (本曆; Formal Almanac) and its simplified version, Ryakuhonreki (略本曆). We use mainly the latter almanac for analyzing the time data. It is also known that Japan introduced the Gregorian calendar in 1873, adopted the standard meridian of $135^{\circ}E$ in 1888, and used Tokyo Observatory (東京天文臺; $139^{\circ}$ 44' 30" E and $35^{\circ}$ 39' 15" N) as the reference position of time data since 1891. We verify those facts and investigate the accuracy of time data in Japanese almanacs by comparing the data with the results of modern calculations. In this study, we present our findings.

• Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.289-290
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• 2005

The 6th East Asian Meeting of Astronomy was held just at the time of 400 years after the discovery of SN (supernova) 1604 and its pre-maximum observation by the astronomers both from the East and the West in the 17th century. It has a special meaning and is interesting to look back on the historical observation of SN 1604. In this paper, we only limit to concern the Chinese observation on SN 1604.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.215-223
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• 2014

In this paper, we report the analysis of Korean historical records on the periodic Halley's comet according to the period (i.e., the Three Kingdoms, Goryeo Dynasty, and Joseon Dynasty) using various sources such as the Samguksagi (The History of the Three Kingdoms), Goryeosa (The History of the Goryeo Dynasty), and Joseonwangjosillok (The Annals of the Joseon Dynasty). With regards to the apparition time of the comet for each return, we referred to the works of Kronk. For the Three Kingdoms period, we could not find any record relevant to Halley's comet from the Samguksagi. Furthermore, we examined the suggestion that the phenomenon of "two Suns" which appeared on April 1, 760 (in a luni-solar calendar), as recorded in the Samgukyusa (The Legends and History of the Three Kingdoms), indicates an instance of the the daytime appearance of Halley's comet. In contrast with the Three Kingdoms period, we found that all returns of Halley's comet are recorded during the Goryeo Dynasty, although others have questioned some accounts. We also found that the appearance of Halley's comet in 1145 is mentioned in a spirit-path stele made in 1178. For the Joseon Dynasty period, we found that all apparitions of the comet are recorded, as with the Goryeo Dynasty, except for the return of 1910, at which time the former dynasty had fallen. In conclusion, we think that this study will be helpful for understanding Korean historical accounts on Halley's comet.

• Publications of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.129-137
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• 1999

We arranged ancient Korean calendar during Koryo dynasty (A.D. 918-1392) according to Julian calendar. We used two representative history books, Koryo-sa (高麗史) and Koryo-sa Jeolyo (高麗史節要), which contain thea stronomical and the historical records chronologically. We found all 19,727 ganji dates(日辰) and 102 misrecoreded ganji dates in two books. Most of the data are arranged based on those two books, and doubtful data are identified using the eclipse, historical events and lunar phase calculations etc. Although Korea, China, and Japan were using basically the same calendar since ancient times, their calendars show some significant disagreement. We found that arranged chronological tables during Koryo dynasty were, in some cases, different from those of China and Japan.

• Publications of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.29-41
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• 2020

Korea has numerous astronomical resources, such as observational records, star maps, and a wealth of literature, covering the period from the Three Kingdoms (54 BC - 932 AD) to the Joseon Dynasty (1392 - 1910 AD). The research activities related to these resources have been limited to those by individual researchers. It is now necessary to conduct research by efficiently and systematically collecting and managing Korean astronomical records using an accessible Web environment. The purpose of this study is to complete a system that enables researchers systematically to collect and verify a large number of historical records related to astronomical phenomena in a Web environment. In 2017, a preliminary survey was conducted, and the requirements pertaining to an implementation target system were devised. In addition, a joint development plan was carried out by the developer, lasting three months in 2018. Although the system is relatively simple, it is the first system to be attempted in the historical astronomy field. In order to proceed with the systematic development, the software development methodology is applied to the entire process from deriving the requirements of researchers to completing the system. The completed system is verified through integrated function and performance tests. The functional test is repeated while modifying and testing the system based on various test scenarios. The performance test uses a performance measurement test tool that takes measurements by setting up a virtual operation environment. The developed system is now in normal operation after a one-year trial period. Researchers who become authorized to use the system can use it to verify the accuracy of data and to suggest improvements. The collected feedback will be reflected in future systems, and Korean astronomical records will be available for use internationally through a multilingual service.

• Publications of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.121-128
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• 2004

We have constructed a database of Korean historical astronomical records. The database contains observational data recorded from BC 2183 to AD 1910. We have also built a webpage for searching through the database based on the following criteria: (1) dynasties (2) astronomical phenomena (3) reigning kings (4) references (5) keywords. Users may select two or more dynasties to search through the database for a certain phenomena, and compare data with those of other dynasties. The queried data can be primarily sorted by one critetion, and secondarily sorted by another, each in ascending or descending order. The search results give dates both in Solar and Lunisolar calendars, years and dates in Sexagenary cycle, dynasties, reigning kings, astronomical phenomena, and references. The database and webpage were constructed under the research project of the Korean Astronomical Data Center (KADC, http://kadc.kao.re.kr) in Korea Astronomy Observatory (KAO).

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.39.1-39.1
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• 2015

Korea has a long history in astronomy, which is proved by many observational records written in Korean chronicles. There are 43 sunspot records in Goryeo dynasty (高麗 918-1392) and 13 records in Joseon dynasty (朝鮮 1392-1910). According to analysis of Korean historical records, it is known that sunspot records in Goryeo dynasty show well in match with the well-known solar activity of 11.3 years. It means that Korean historical sunspot records show real solar phenomena. Korean sunspot records also show that solar activity decrease in Joseon dynasty compared with the previous ~500 years. In order to know the change of solar activity in detail, we examine Korean historical atmospheric records which can indicate climate change. We first analyze historical frost records. Korean chronicles have around 600 frost records during the last millennium. We find that the climate change shows sign of cooling down when check the variation of epoch that the first and last frost events in each year are written. This result is well in accord with that of historical sunspot records. Therefore, we claim that solar activity decrease during the last thousand years.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.51.1-51.1
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• 2015

Over several decades, a historical review of receiver development for radio astronomy in Korea such TRAO, SRAO and KVN will be presented.

• Publications of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.1-24
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• 2011

Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI) has constructed online database of the Korean Astronomical Almanac as a part of the 'Knowledge and Information Business Project 2009' supported by the Ministry of Knowledge Economy. Throughout this project, KASI provides both digitized images and extracted text from the almanac covering approximately 240 years. The primary purpose of this paper is to serve as a reference for users of the almanac database. Hence, we introduce the calendar history and kinds of the astronomical almanac used in Korea, and explain the contents of the almanacs according to its appearance time. We also briefly mention the steps employed in constructing the database system and Web site. Since ancient times, astronomical almanacs have been an essential part of daily life. We, therefore, believe that the astronomical almanac database constructed by KASI will prove its usefulness in various fields, and particularly in the study of historical astronomy.