• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.221-232
• /
• 2012

We analyzed the manufacturing procedure, specifications, repair history, and details of celestial movements of the water-hammering type $Honsang$ (celestial globe). Results from our study on the remaining $Honsangs$ in China and Japan and on the reconstruction models in Korea were applied to our conceptual design of the water-hammering type $Honsang$. A $Honui$ (armillary sphere) and $Honsang$ using the water-hammering method were manufactured in $Joseon$ in 1435 (the 17th year of King $Sejong$). $Jang$ $Yeong-Sil$ developed the $Honsang$ system based on the water-operation method of $Shui$ $y{\ddot{u}}n$ $i$ $hsiang$ $t'ai$ in China. Water-operation means driving water wheels using a water flow. The most important factor in this type of operation is the precision of the water clock and the control of the water wheel movement. The water-hammering type $Honsang$ in $Joseon$ probably adopted the $Cheonhyeong$ (天衡; oriental escapement device) system of $Shui$ $y{\ddot{u}}n$ $i$ $hsiang$ $t'ai$ in China and the overflow mechanism of $Jagyeongnu$ (striking clepsydra) in $Joseon$, etc. In addition to the $Cheonryun$ system, more gear instruments were needed to stage the rotation of the $Honsang$ globe and the sun's movement. In this study, the water-hammering mechanism is analyzed in the structure of a water clock, a water wheel, the $Cheonhyeong$ system, and the $Giryun$ system, as an organically working operation mechanism. We expect that this study will serve as an essential basis for studies on $Heumgyeonggaknu$, the water-operating astronomical clock, and other astronomical clocks in the middle and latter parts of the $Joseon$ dynasty.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.187-192
• /
• 2013

Honsangui (celestial globe) which is a water-hammering method astronomical clock is recorded in "Juhaesuyong" which is Volume VI of supplement from "Damheonseo", written by Hong Dae-Yong (1731~1783). We made out the conceptual design of Hong Dae-Yong's Honsangui through the study on its structure and working mechanism. Honsangui consist of three rings and two layers, the structure of rings which correspond to outer layer is similar to his own Tongcheonui (armillary sphere) which is a kind of armillary sphere. Honsang sphere which correspond to inner layer depicts constellations and milky way and two beads hang on it as Sun and Moon respectively for realize the celestial motion. Tongcheonui is operated by the pendulum power but Honsangui is operated by water-hammering method mechanism. This Honsangui's working mechanism is the traditional way of Joseon and it was simplified the working mechanism of Shui y$\ddot{u}$n i hsiang t'ai which is a representative astronomical clock of China. This record of Honsangui is the only historical record about the water-hammering method working mechanism of Joseon Era and it provide the study of water-hammering method mechanism with a vital clue.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.63-71
• /
• 2015

During the reign of King Sejong (世宗, 1418-1450) in the Joseon Dynasty, there were lots of astronomical instruments, including miniaturized ones. Those instruments utilized the technical know-how acquired through building contemporary astronomical instruments previously developed in the Song(宋), Jin(金), and Yuan(元) dynasties of China. In those days, many astronomical instruments had circles, rings, and spheres carved with a scale of 365.25, 100, and 24 parts, respectively, on their circumference. These were called the celestial-circumference degree, hundred-interval (Baekgak), and 24 direction, respectively. These scales are marked by the angular distance, not by the angle. Therefore, these circles, rings, and spheres had to be optimized in size to accomodate proper scales. Assuming that the scale system is composed of integer multiples of unit length, we studied the sizes of circles by referring to old articles and investigating existing artifacts. We discovered that the star chart of Cheonsang yeolcha bunyajido was drawn with a royal standard ruler (周尺) based on the unit length of 207 mm. Interestingly, its circumference was marked by the unit scale of 3 puns per 1 du (or degree) like Honsang (a celestial globe). We also found that Hyeonju ilgu (a equatorial sundial) has a Baekgak disk on a scale of 1 pun per 1 gak (that is an interval of time similar to a quarter). This study contributes to the analysis of specifications of numerous circular elements from old Korean astronomical instruments.

• Publications of The Korean Astronomical Society
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.115-127
• /
• 2011

Since the thirteenth century, large scale facilities and various instruments for astronomical observation were built and installed in East Asia. During the Yuan Dynasty, S. ti.ntai (Beijing astronomical observatory in the Yuan Dynasty, 司天臺) was built in Beijing in 1279. Various astronomical instruments, including Ganui (Jianyi, simplified armillary sphere, 簡儀), Yang-yi (upward hemisphere, 仰儀) and Gyupyo (gnomon, 圭表) were installed in this observatory. These astronomical instruments were modified and improved by researchers of the Joseon Dynasty. Ganuidae (Joseon astronomical observatory, 簡儀臺) was built in Gyeongbokgung (or Gyeongbok palace, 景福宮), Seoul. Its scale was 31 Cheok (Korean feet in the Joseon Dynasty, 尺) in height, 47 Cheok in length and 32 Cheok in width. Lee, Cheon (李蕆, 1376~1451), a responsible leader of Ganuidae project, set up various astronomical instruments with his colleagues. Ganui and Jeongbangan (direction-determining board, 正方案) were installed at the top of this observatory. Gyupyo was installed at the west side of this observatory and Honui (armillary sphere, 渾儀) and Honsang (celestial globe, 渾象) were installed in a small pavilion which was located next to Gyupyo. A decade after installation, this observatory was moved to the north-west side of the palace but almost destroyed during Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592 except Ganuidae. We have analyzed documents about Ganuidae and investigated Chinese remains of astronomical observatories and artifacts of astronomical instruments. In this paper, we suggest the appearance, structure, arrangement and scale of Ganuidae, which are expected to be used for the restoration of Ganuidae at some day in the near future.