• Journal of architectural history
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• v.10 no.2 s.26
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• pp.7-19
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• 2001

Ip-am valley, located at the eastern remote part of Korean peninsular was the place where a remarkable Confucian scholar Chang Hyon-gwang spent his secluded days. A large upright stone, called Ip-am, and undulating streams nearby were surrounded by mountains, which formed a large enclosed valley. After selecting 28 natural and artificial places, Chang named each of them. Chang compared the relationship between Ip-am and the 28 places with that of the Polestar and 28 Lunar Lodgings, which were known as the ancient Chinese astronomical concept. Also, Chang regarded the valley as a place where the Taoistic Deity could stay. Chang, who had deep knowledge of astronomy, wrote some books on it. It could be said that the comparison of his hermitages with the Polestar and the 28 Lunar Lodgings resulted from his deep passion for astronomy. He considered the Ip-am valley to be the core of the universe like the Polestar is the core of the celestial world. Some stars like the Polestar or the Dipper were regarded as the Deities of Taoism. We can find that Confucian scholars of the middle Choseon, like Chang Hyon-gwang, also tended to have some concern about Taoism.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.375-402
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• 2009

Korean historical constellations and their names are similar to Chinese ones. Although Korean historical astronomy is influenced by China, they have distinct differences in each shape and names of the constellations. We, therefore, compare Bocheonga (步天歌) of the early Joseon dynasty (朝鮮, $1392{\sim}1910$) preserved in Gyujanggark (奎章閣) with that of the Sui dynasty ((隋代, $581{\sim}618$ of China written by Wang Ximing(王希明) in terms of star charts and descriptions of the contents. We find out that the two books are partly different all over the books. First, there are definite differences in preface, three area of constellations (三垣) in the heaven, and the description of the Milky Way. Second, some of constellations show different in shape, the number of stars. Especially connecting pattern in some constellations shows different in each other. Third, Joseon Bocheonga describes their colors for some stars. These mean that Joseon has a unique tradition of star maps unlike Chinese one. We also summarize the differences and distinctive characteristics of Joseon star charts compared with Chinese ones.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.39.1-39.1
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• 2014

We present the results of our analysis of the RR Lyrae (RRL) variable stars detected in two transition-type dwarf galaxies (dTrans), ESO294-G010 and ESO410-G005 in the Sculptor group, which is known to be one of the closest neighboring galaxy groups to our Local Group. Using deep archival images from the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) onboard the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), we have identified a sample of RR Lyrae candidates in both dTrans galaxies [219 RRab (RR0) and 13 RRc (RR1) variables in ESO294-G010; 225 RRab and 44 RRc stars in ESO410-G005]. The metallicities of the individual RRab stars are calculated via the period-amplitude-[Fe/H] relation derived by Alcock et al. This yields mean metallicities of <[Fe/H]>_{ESO294} = -1.77 +/- 0.03 and <[Fe/H]>_{ESO410} = -1.64+/- 0.03. The RRL metallicity distribution functions (MDFs) are investigated further via simple chemical evolution models; these reveal the relics of the early chemical enrichment processes for these two dTrans galaxies. In the case of both galaxies, the shapes of the RRL MDFs are well-described by pre-enrichment models. This suggests two possible channels for the early chemical evolution for these Sculptor group dTrans galaxies: 1) The ancient stellar populations of our target dwarf galaxies might have formed from the star forming gas which was already enriched through "prompt initial enrichment" or an "initial nucleosynthetic spike" from the very first massive stars, or 2) this pre-enrichment state might have been achieved by the end products from more evolved systems of their nearest neighbor, NGC 55.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.51-62
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• 2015

I investigated a method for drawing the star chart in the planisphere Cheonsang-yeolcha-bunyajido. The outline of the star chart can be constructed by considering the astronomical information given in the planisphere alone and the drawing method described in Xin-Tangshu; further the chart can be completed by using additional information on the shape and linking method of asterisms out of an inherited star chart. The circles of perpetual visibility, the equator, and the circle of perpetual invisibility are concentric, and their common center locates the Tianshu-xing, which was defined to be a pole star in the Han dynasty. The radius of the circle of perpetual visibility was modified in accordance with the latitude of Seoul, whereas the other circles were drawn for the latitude of $35^{\circ}$, which had been the reference latitude in ancient Chinese astronomy. The ecliptic was drawn as an exact circle by parallel transference of the equator circle to fix the location of the equinoxes at the positions recorded in the epitaph of the planisphere. The positions of equinoxes originated from the Han dynasty. The 365 ticks around the boundary of the circle of perpetual invisibility were possibly drawn by segmenting the circumference with an arc length instead of a chord length with the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter as accurate as 3.14 presumed. The 12 equatorial sectors were drawn on the boundary of the star-chart in accordance with the beginning and ending lodge angles given in the epitaph that originated from the Han dynasty. The determinative lines for the 28 lunar lodges were drawn to intersect their determinative stars, but seven determinative stars are deviated. According to the treatises of the Tang dynasty, these anomalies were inherited from charts of the period earlier than the Tang dynasty. Thus, the star chart in Cheonsang-yeolcha-bunyajido preserves the old tradition that had existed before the present Chinese tradition reformed in approximately 700 CE. In conclusion, the star chart in Cheonsang-yeolcha-bunyajido shows the sky of the former Han dynasty with the equator modified to the latitude of Seoul.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.137-148
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• 2022

In this study, ship movement simulation was performed based on a marine physics model for the ancient port presumed under the past environmental conditions in the coastal area of Hwaseong, which played an important role as a center of trade in the Three Kingdoms and Unified Silla periods. The paleo topographical surface was reconstructed through the analysis of borehole sediments, and the paleo coastline was extracted through the geomorphological maps published during before independence. Based on the established paleo environmental conditions of the Hwaseong coast, the marine physics model (FVCOM) was used to simulate the flow of surface currents and the route of floating materials assumed to be ancient ships. As a result, the processes of moving ships from the port to the open sea in the Eunsupo area, which is estimated location of the ancient port related to Dangseong, was well simulated, and thus the reliability of the location of the ancient port estimated by the scientific method was secured. This study is significant as a result of convergence research that encompasses archeology, history, geomorpology, geology, and oceanography.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.96.1-96.1
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• 2012

Science we have perceived as genuine science is based on western scientific enterprise, that is, western modern science(WMS). The K-12 science curriculum in Korea absolutely contains WMS content. Elkana(1981) criticized the indifference of comparative science in the field of science, whereas there have been a lot of comparative studies of art, religion, ethics, and politics. Science is the product not only based on 'western' culture but all cultural around the world including Korea. People have consistently observed and tested for such a long period of time all over the world. Traditional science of Korea can be related to multiculturalism, which has become important in many fields. Korea has a lot of great scientific enterprises, such as astronomical instruments of Chosun Dynasty and ancient data of natural phenomenon in Samguk-saki or Samguk-Yusa. It is expected that students will consider them as more 'objective' and 'realistic' things rather than 'artistic' and 'distinguished' things. Astronomy was also very important in the East because they believed sky as king, which results in the development of a lot of astronomical data and instruments in Korean history. In this study, we developed three units of science programs using astronomical enterprises in Korea: 1) Activities with our sundial, Angbuilgu:, 2) data interpretation of natural phenomenon in ancient Korea, 3) experience in Gyeongbokgung Palace. From these programs, we expect that students will develop a profound understanding and take pride in our science.

• The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
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• no.42
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• pp.165-195
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• 2014

This paper aims to examine the meaning of 'Xuan(玄)' in the cosmology and astronomy, especially in the view of Yang-xiong(揚雄) and Ge-hong(葛洪). The cosmology of the ancient China has opened a discussion about the Tian(天), through the discussion about the celestial structure, the structure and the location relation of the heaven & earth, in the Han-dynasty has been found a systematic theory. But in the ancient Chinese philosophy, the cosmology has been developed in the field of the astronomy & the Oriental calendar. In this context, Yang-xiong(揚雄) and Ge-hong(葛洪) have founded the system of the cosmology, it is as in the following. First, Yang-xiong criticized sharply the theory of Gaitian(蓋天說) and advanced the theory of Huntian(渾天說). And Ge-hong support the theory of Huntian(渾天說) and also accepted the theory of Xuanye(宣夜說). Second, Yang-xiong(揚雄) and Ge-hong(葛洪)'s cosmology is regarded as the theoretical premise of their cosmogony. As the discussion about the celestial structure, the structure and the location relation of the heaven & earth, both scholar discussed about the cause of creation, the differentiation process. And in the this context, they founded the cosmology as the concept 'Xuan'. Third, the concept 'Xuan' in the both scholar forms a philosophical system. Yang-xiong insisted that the concept 'Xuan' is the basis of the universe, the human-being and the society. While through realizing the concept 'Xuan', Ge-hong tried to pursue the human-being's agelessness and the eternal life. In this way, their view point of the cosmology is comprised of cosmogony & astronomy. With this perspective, they are going to found the system of their own philosophy.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.69-81
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• 2008

Gwae(卦氣) theory was one of the main theoretical foundation of yiology in the Han(漢)-dynasty. It was based on the concept that the trigram or hexagram of the book of change corresponds to the seasonal point such as 24 solar terms in one year, so there was so much influence from astronomy and divination system of that time in the development of theoretical principle of Gwae(卦氣) theory. Since Han(漢) Dynasty, the theoretical method such as Gwae(卦氣) theory that correlates the astronomy and divination system with the book of change, had become one of the main academic thoughts throughout the entire history in China, and it was also like that in medicine. Nevertheless there still exists the skeptical sights that Gwae(卦氣) theory was not a part of orthodox yiology, that had been developed by Confucian scholar and had also been recognized as the right path to the study of the book of change. Nowadays because of the new opportunity such as the excavation of the ancient silk script, this kind of controversy has moved on its another step. With regard to this problem, this article will treat the current thoughts about the Gwae(卦氣) theory and think about the substantial basis of each point of view.

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

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.113-123
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• 2007

The astronomical understanding of the heavens in "Hwangje-Naegyeong" can be divided into three main fields: the theory of cosmos, astronomy and calender. "Hwangie-Naegyeong" comprised the theory of cosmos, astronomy and calender established in the Han period. Astronomy was to describe the heavenly world and to interpret its phenomena. Calendar was to make numerical representations of the observations of all kinds of celestial bodies and to give them number-mystical meanings. Theory of cosmos treated what ancient Chinese speculated on the structure of the heavens including the earth. These three fields developed independently. However, they can also be be combined into one tradition, the astronomical knowledge. In the Han period that the astronomical knowledge grew from the mere accumulation of primitive knowledge to the established form. Throughout the Chinese history, the essential contents of astronomical knowledge including the theory of calendar, did not change much from what they were in Han period. "Hwangje-Naegyeong" use the lunisolar calendar(太陰太陽曆) and the Calendar in the late Han period(後漢四分曆). The use of the subdivisions of the seasons(24節氣) and the leap month(閏月) in "Hwangje-Naegyeong" means that it adopted the lunisolar calendar. Also "Hwangje-Naegyeong" adopted the Calendar in the late Han period by the four points: "Hwangje-Naegveong" ruled the circulation of the universe(周天度數) at 365, 1/4 terms, use the The Twenty Eight Constellations in astronomical observation, view the heavenly body by the ecliptic(黃道) and mark down year by the Heavenly Streams & Earthly Branches(干支紀年), The 24 solar terms is made by amount of Yang-Gi(陽氣) and samyum and samyang(三陰三陽) represent the amount of Yang-Gi in the earth.