• Publications of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.13-26
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• 2024

The armillary sphere, an astronomical observation device embodying the Orbital Heaven Theory of the Later Han Dynasty in China, holds both historical and scientific significance. It has been produced in various forms by many individuals since its inception in the era of King Sejong in the Joseon Dynasty. A prominent figure in this field was Nam Byeong-cheol (南秉哲, 1817-1863), known for his work 'Uigijipseol' (儀器輯說), published in 1859, which detailed the history, production methods, and usage of the armillary sphere. This text particularly highlights 21 applications of the armillary sphere, divided into 33 measurements, covering aspects like installation, time, and positional measurements, supplemented with explanations of spherical trigonometry. Despite numerous records of the armillary sphere's design during the Joseon Dynasty, detailed usage information remains scarce. In this study, the 33 measurements described in 'Uigijipseol' (儀器輯說) were systematically classified into six for installation, nineteen for position measurement, seven for time measurement, and one for other purposes. Additionally, the measurement methods were analyzed and organized by dividing them into the ecliptic ring, moving equatorial ring, and fixed equatorial ring of the armillary sphere. In other words, from a modern astronomical perspective, the results of schematization for each step were presented by analyzing it from the viewpoint of longitude, right ascension, and solar time. Through the analysis of Nam's armillary sphere, this study not only aims to validate the restoration model of the armillary sphere but also suggests the potential for its use in basic astronomical education based on the understanding of the 19th-century Joseon armillary sphere.

• Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.47-57
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• 2001

In this paper we have reconstructed an armillary sphere based on the Method of an Armillary Sphere Making described in the Volume 1 of The Collection of Writings on the Scientific Instruments-Uigijipsol (儀器輯說, two volumes) edited in the 1850's by Nam Byong-Chul (南秉哲, 1817-1863) who was a famous Korean states-man-scientist. Nam achieved convenience and accuracy in the measurements of stellar positions in the manner of selective setting the equatorial, ecliptic and horizontal poles by adding a pole axis exchange ring called Jaigeukkwon (載極圈) between the Three Arrangers of Time and Four Displacements. We made use of 3-dimensional graphic software for modelling Nam's armillary sphere which consisted of five layers-eight rings. Results of simulation showed that the pole axis exchange ring functioned properly in setting the equatorial, ecliptic and horizontal coordinates simply by exchange of positions of specified holes on the ring. We ascertained that the invention of Jaigeukkwon solved inherent problems in the conventional Chinese armillary sphere in computation of real ecliptic coordinates. It was revealed that Nam Byong-Chul made great contributions in the East Asian history of armillary sphere making.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.383-392
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• 2010

Armillary sphere, generally known as, not only astronomical instrument for observing astronomical phenomena but also symbolizes the royal authority and royal political ideology which is based on Confucianism. Among the well-reputed Confucian scholars were built their own armillary spheres. However, these armillary spheres which exist are damaged and most of parts of its have been lost. We analyzed and measured the remnants of armillary spheres which were made by Toegye Lee Hwang, Uam Song Si-Yeol and Goedam Bae Sang-Yeol who were well-reputed Confucian scholars in Joseon Dynasty, and have been executed the restorations of Toegye Lee Hwang and Song Si-Yeols armillary sphere based on the drawings which were drawn as the original form by analysis and measurement of its remnants.

• Publications of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.79-95
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• 2021

This study aims to develop a restoration model of an armillary sphere of Tongcheon-ui (Pan-celestial Armillary Sphere) by referring to the records of Damheonseo (Hong Dae-Yong Anthology) and the artifact of an armillary sphere in the Korean Christian Museum of Soongsil University. Between 1760 and 1762, Hong, Dae-Yong (1731-1783) built Tongcheon-ui, with Na, Kyung-Jeok (1690-1762) designing the basic structure and Ann, Cheo-In (1710-1787) completing the assembly. The model in this study is a spherical body with a diameter of 510 mm. Tongcheon-ui operates the armillary sphere by transmitting the rotational power from the lantern clock. The armillary sphere is constructed in the fashion of a two-layer sphere: the outer one is Yukhab-ui that is fixed; and the inner one, Samsin-ui, is rotated around the polar axis. In the equatorial ring possessed by Samsin-ui, an ecliptic ring and a lunar-path ring are successively fixed and are tilted by 23.5° and 28.5° over the equatorial ring, respectively. A solar miniature attached to a 365-toothed inner gear on the ecliptic ring reproduces the annual motion of the Sun. A lunar miniature installed on a 114-toothed inner gear of the lunar-path ring can also replay the moon's orbital motion and phase change. By the set of 'a ratchet gear, a shaft and a spur gear' installed in the solstice-colure double-ring, the inner gears in the ecliptic ring and lunar-path ring can be rotated in the opposite direction to the rotation of Samsin-ui and then the solar and lunar miniatures can simulate their revolution over the period of a year and a month, respectively. In order to indicate the change of the moon phases, 27 pins were arranged in a uniform circle around the lunar-path ring, and the 29-toothed wheel is fixed under the solar miniature. At the center of the armillary sphere, an earth plate representing a world map is fixed horizontally. Tongcheon-ui is the armillary sphere clock developed by Confucian scholars in the late Joseon Dynasty, and the technical level at which astronomical clocks could be produced at the time is of a high standard.

• Publications of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.61-69
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• 2012

The Ganui (簡儀, simplified armillary sphere) is a representative of astronomical instruments in Joseon Dynasty of Korea, as well as Yuan Dynasty and Ming Dynasty of China. In early 15th century, Joseon's scientists and engineers uniquely developed the Soganui (小簡儀, small simplified armillary sphere) and the Ilseongjeongsiui (日星定時儀, sun-and-star time determining instrument) from the structural characteristic of Ganui. These two astronomical instruments had a new design by the miniaturization and felt convinced a similar performance of Ganui in the harmony with Korean Astronomy and Astrology Cultures. Since mid-18th century after the enforcement of shixian-li (時憲曆), the Soganui and Ilseongjeongsiui handed over the Jeokdogyeongwiui (赤道經緯儀, equatorial armilla) by a change of the observational framework such as the time and angle measures. The Jeokdogyeongwiui made by Gwansanggam (觀象監, Bureau of Astronomy in Joseon Dynasty) adopted the new observational framework. We studied the structural characteristics and scientific values of these 3 astronomical instruments with theirs observation methods.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.167-178
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• 2007

We analysis the structure of Song $I-y\u{o}ng's$ Armillary Clock, a Korean National Treasure (No. 230) that is displayed at Korea University Museum. This Armillary Clock is only one remained in east Asia, but does not working because some parts had been broken away. We measured this remains and reconstructed a working model of the astronomical armillary sphere system of the his armillary clock, which system is consisted of Solar and lunar moving devices.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.71-90
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• 2006

This study is about , which constitutes Honcheonui(an armillary sphere) put of $\ulcorner$Uigijipseol$\lrcorner$ (Volume I) together with and -dealt with earlier than this subject. The study's construction on the text of is organized into 15 categories, including installation, observations, instructions for use, astronomical theories and formulas, etc. This study provides easy-to-understand illustrations of the figures shown in the original and contains detailed descriptions of the related calculation procedures. In the 'Instructions for Use of Honcheonui' discussed here, the readers are introduced to astronomical computation systems, mainly based on spherical trigonometry and proportional methods. The section also provides systematic and detailed reviews of astronomical theories and calculation procedures, allowing you to assess the level of astronomy knowledge at that time.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.184-197
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• 2006

${\ulcorner}$Hwangje-Naegyeong${\lrcorner}$ described Tae Hue(太虛) cosmos which consist of the Great Gi(大氣) produce ${\ulcorner}$Hwangje-Naegyeong${\lrcorner}$ which affected by the theory of activity of Gi(氣化說) in the Han period represent that Tae Hue is spring head of Gi(氣), concurrently said the Time and the Space were established by operating of Gi(氣). As of the Theories of heavenly structure, ${\ulcorner}$Hwangje-Naegyeong${\lrcorner}$ was write in long perod, so it include three branch theory. ${\ulcorner}$Hwangje-Naegyeong${\lrcorner}$ contained the Hypothesis of Covering Heaven(蓋天說), the Hypothesis of Armillary Sphere(渾天說) and the Hypothesis of Chaosheavens(宣夜說) in the Han perod. The Hypothesis of Covering Heaven(蓋天說) means that the sky is round and the ground falls Square(天圓地方). ${\ulcorner}$Hwangje-Naegyeong${\lrcorner}$ involve the Hypothesis of Covering Heaven by the fact that it divide heaven and earth by top and bottom. The Hypothesis of Armillary Sphere(蓋天說) is not directly appeared in ${\ulcorner}$Hwangje-Naegyeong${\lrcorner}$. But ${\ulcorner}$Hwangje-Naegyeong${\lrcorner}$ include the Hypothesis of Armillary Sphere by the astronomical observation and understand the universe with interior-exterior viewpoint. ${\ulcorner}$Hwangje-Naegyeong${\lrcorner}$ describe the circulation of the universe (周天度數) at 365 1/4 terms, the length of daytime and night of the vernal equinox and the autumnal equinox is same and use the The Twenty Eight Constellations by the ecliptic(黃道). It prove that ${\ulcorner}$Hwangje-Naegyeong${\lrcorner}$ observes the celestial body according to the Hypothesis of Armillary Sphere. The Hypothesis of Chaosheavens(宣夜說) appears most is the theory which lately. ${\ulcorner}$Hwangje-Naegyeong${\lrcorner}$ describe Tae Hue(太虛) infinite outer space and the earth is floating by Gi(氣). This with the Hypothesis of Chaosheavens is similar from like this point.

• Publications of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.17-23
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• 2013

Song I-Yeong (1619 ~ 1692), who was an astronomy professor of Gwansanggam (觀象監, Bureau of Astronomy), created the Honcheonsigye (渾天時計, Armillary Clock) in 1669 (10th year of King Hyeonjong Era). Honcheonsigye was a unique astronomical clock which combined an armillary sphere, the traditional astronomical instrument of the Far East, with the power mechanism of western alarm clock. The clock part of this armillary clock is composed of two major parts which are the going-train, power unit used the weight, and the time signal system in a wooden case. The time signal system is composed of four parts which are the time-annunciator, the striking train, the 12 different time-announcing medallions and the sound bell. This clock has been neglected for many years and its several components have been lost. This study is to understand the structure of time signal system and suggests the restoration process.

• KOMUNHWA
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• no.2
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• pp.2-10
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• 1963