• 천문학회지
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• 제33권3호
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• pp.177-183
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• 2000

We arrange Korean ancient calendar with Solar calendar during Choseon Dynasty(A.D. 1392-1910). In this period, we have one representable history books and several books, and most of information for date are found from them, ChoseonWangjosillok(조선왕조실록) and Jeungbomunheonbigo(증보문헌비고), etc. In those books many astronomical data and calendar information data are contained, so we can make chronological tables. Most of the data are arranged based on those several books, and for doubtable data are identified from eclipse, historical events and lunar phase calculations etc. We find that arranged chronological tables during Choseon Dynasty are similar to that of China and somewhat different from that of Japan. In addition we summarize all misrecorded date data in ChoseonWangjosillok

• 천문학논총
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• 제14권2호
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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.

• 천문학회보
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• 제36권2호
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• pp.138.2-138.2
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• 2011

Astronomical data such as calendar day and time of rising/setting of the sun and onset of twilight are essential in our daily lives. Knowing the calendar day of the past is particularly crucial for studying the history of a clan or a nation. To verify previous studies on the calendar day of the Joseon dynasty (1392 - 1910), we also investigated the sexagenary cycle of the new moon day (i.e., the first day in a lunar month) using different sources: results of the calculation by the Datong calendar (a Chinese Calendar of the Ming Dynasty) and data of Baekjungryeok (a Perpetual Calendar - literally, a one hundred-year almanac). Compared with the study of Ahn et al., we have found that as many as 17 sexagenary cycles show discrepancies. In the case of nine discrepancies, we found that the sexagenary cycles of this study are identical to those of the almanacs at that time. In addition, we study six sexagenary cycles by using the historical accounts of Joseon Wangjo Sillok (Annals of the Joseon Dynasty), Seungjeongwon Ilgi (Daily Records of Royal Secretariat), Chungung Ilgi (Logs of Crown Prince), and so forth. We present historical materials supporting the results of this study for the remainder. In conclusion, we think that this study will greatly contribute to the comparison between luni-solar calendar days during the Joseon dynasty and those in the modern (i.e., Gregorian) calendar.

• 천문학논총
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• 제30권1호
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• pp.1-9
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• 2015

The National Foundation Day of Korea (개천절, 開天節) is currently celebrated on October 3 in Gregorian calendar. We review the history of dating the National Foundation Day of Korea and make a suggestion that it be celebrated on October 3 in the lunar calendar. We present numerous historical records on heaven-worship rites supporting the date October 3 in the lunar calendar. It is pointed out that October 3 in the solar calendar has been adopted in 1949 by the National Assembly with the thought that the lunar calendar is inferior and behind the times. The thought originates from misunderstanding on the value of the lunar calendar and from the ignorance of importance of history and tradition. Since there are now many national holidays that follow the lunar calendar, the logic of the National Assembly in 1949 also makes no sense. We emphasize that the lunar calendar should be followed for the National Foundation Day of Korea for its historical and symbolic characteristics restoration. We also investigate the year of the foundation of the first country of Korea, Dangun Joseon. It is found that even though the majority of the literature before late 15th century recorded the beginning year of Dangun Joseon dynasty to be equal to that of Liao Dynasty (堯), it was accidentally changed to the 25th year of Liao Dynasty in 1484 through a misinterpretation of the previous records. We claim that the beginning year of Dangun Joseon should be set to that of Liao Dynasty as recorded in the original literature in the earlier days. According to the two main opinions accepted by Korea, the beginning year of Liao Dynasty was 2357 B.C. or 2333 B.C., which correspond to the year of Gap-Jin (the 41st year of the sexagenary cycle) or Mu-Jin (the 4th year of the sexagenary cycle), respectively.

• 과학기술학연구
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.159-183
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• 2012

우리의 현실에 부합하는 과학문화를 창출하기 위해서는 과학기술의 외래성을 극복하고 전통과의 단절을 넘어설 필요가 있다. 이를 위해 전통과학의 대표적인 분야인 천문학을 통해 우리 전통과학의 특징을 이해하고 바람직한 과학문화 형성의 가능성을 모색하고자 한다. 이를 위해 먼저 고대 문명에서 처음 등장하는 천문학의 일반적인 특징을 살펴서 전통 천문학에는 과학의 한 분야로서 천문학적 지식과 함께 여러 문명마다 각기 다른 고유한 문화적 요소가 들어있다는 점에 주목한다. 천문학의 여러 세부 분야 중에서 사람들의 실생활과 밀접하게 연관되어 있으며 문화적 차이를 잘 드러내 주는 것은 시간의 과학이라고 할 수 있는 달력과 역법이다. 모든 고대 문명에서 해와 달의 운행을 기준으로 삼아 시간을 표현했지만, 시간을 구체적으로 어떤 방식으로 표현할 것인가 하는 문제는 각각의 문화마다 서로 달랐다. 그 결과 달력에서 음력과 양력 그리고 음력과 양력의 특성을 모두 가지고 있는 태음태양력 체계가 나타났다. 우리나라를 비롯한 동아시아에서는 태음태양력을 사용했는데, 동아시아에서 달력은 서양 세계와는 달리 복잡하고 정교한 천문학적 작업인 역법에서 도출된 것이다. 한편, 민간생활을 잘 보여주는 세시풍속에서도 태음태양력의 특징을 분명하게 찾을 수 있지만, 또한 세시풍속에는 이른바 미신적인 내용이 많이 들어 있기도 하다. 이런 점 때문에 우리의 달력 체계를 비과학적인 것이라고 오해하거나 나아가 전통과학 전반에 대해 과학적인 측면이 결여되어 있다고 의심하기 쉽다. 하지만 동아시아의 달력과 역법을 제대로 이해함으로써 우리 전통 속에 과학적인 측면이 분명하게 존재했다는 점을 확인할 수 있으며, 이것이 오늘날 과학기술의 외래성을 극복하고 전통과의 연결점을 찾을 수 있는 고리가 될 것이다.

• 천문학회보
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• 제42권2호
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• pp.69.3-70
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• 2017

음력은 양력과 함께 우리가 사용하고 있는 달력이다. 천문법은 양력인 그레고리력을 공식 달력으로 규정하는 한편 음력 또한 병행사용이 가능함을 명시하고 있다. 하지만 이 음력이 구체적으로 어떠한 방법으로 제정된 달력인지를 공식적으로 규정한 추가적인 근거는 있지 않다. 이 때문에 지금까지는 관습적으로 음력을 사용해왔다. 이에 국가 천문역법 업무를 수행하는 한국천문연구원에서는 최근 음력(태음태양력) 운용지침을 제정하고, 음력과 관련된 업무는 이 지침을 근거로 수행하고 있다. 이 발표에서는 음력의 생산과 공표절차와 같은 현재 우리나라의 음력 운용 체계를 소개하고, 음력 운용지침의 제정 배경과 절차, 그리고 상세내용을 설명하고자 한다.

• 천문학논총
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• 제33권1호
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• pp.1-7
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• 2018

In order to encourage collaboration with North Korea in astronomy research field, we have studied the astronomical almanacs published in South and North Korea. The almanac contains fundamental astronomical data including not only daily calendar data but also unique characteristics selected by necessity in each country. We compared the South and North Korean astronomical almanacs in terms of contents, detailed descriptions, unique items, and so forth. We used the 2017 almanac for South Korea and 1993 almanac which is useful for this research for North Korea. We found that there were several differences between South and North Korean almanacs. The North Korean almanac is published for the astronomer or navigator, thus it has supplementary information about spherical astronomy such as precession of the north pole and position of celestial bodies. Whereas the South Korean almanac is published for the general public, and it distinctively contains luni-solar calendar, 24 solar terms, national holidays, etc. This study could be helpful for research cooperation between South and North Korea in astronomy.

• 천문학회보
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• 제37권2호
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• pp.102.1-102.1
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• 2012

In this paper, we analyzed Korean historical records of the periodic comet Halley in three periods (Three Kingdoms, the Goryeo dynasty, and the Joseon dynasty) using various sources such as Samguksagi (History of the Three Kingdoms), Goryeosa (History of the Goryeo Dynasty), and Joseonwangjosillok (Annals of the Joseon Dynasty). To determine the apparition time of the comet at 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 Samguksagi. Instead, we examined the suggestion that the phenomenon two Suns appearing on April 1, 760 (in a luni-solar calendar), which is recorded in Samgukyusa (Renaissance of the Three Kingdoms), indicates an appearance of comet Halley during the daytime. In contrast, we found that all the returns of Halley's comet during the Goryeo dynasty are recorded, although some accounts are questioned. In addition, we found that the appearance of Halley's comet in 1145 is also mentioned in a spirit-path stele made in 1178. For the Joseon dynasty period, we found that all the returns of the comet are recorded, as with the Goryeo dynasty, except for the return of 1910, in which the former dynasty fell. In conclusion, we think that this study will be helpful for understanding Korean historical accounts of Halley's comet.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• 제31권3호
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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.