• Publications of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.83-91
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• 2009

We have designed data processing server system to include data archiving, photometric processing and light curve analysis for KMTNet (Korea Microlensing Telescope Network). Outputs of each process are reported to the main photometric database, which manages the whole processing steps and archives the photometric results. The database is developed using ORACLE 11g Release 2 engine. It allows to select objects applying any set of criteria such as RA/DEC coordinate and Star ID, etc. We tested the performance of the database using the OGLE photometric data. The searching time for querying 70,000,000 records was under 1 second. The database is fully accessed using query forms via web page.

• 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.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.36 no.2
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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.

• Publications of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.367-380
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• 2017

The life and astronomical activity of Lee Deok-Seong (李德星, 1720-1794) was studied using various historical sources, including the astronomical almanac, Seungjeongwon-Ilgi (Daily records of Royal Secretariat of Joseon dynasty), and the Gwansang-Gam's logbooks during Joseon dynasty (A.D. 1392-1910). We present the results of the study including the following main findings. First, from the investigation of Lee's family tree, we find that a number of his relatives were also astronomers, notably Samryeok-Gwan (三曆官, the post of calendrical calculation). Second, we find that he took part in the compilation of an annual astronomical almanac over a period of at least 16 years. His major achievements in the astronomy of the Joseon dynasty were to establish a new method of calendar-making calculation and to bring astronomical materials to the Joseon court through a visit to China. The Joseon dynasty enforced the Shixianli (時憲曆, a Chinese calendar made by Adam Shall) in 1654 without fully understanding the calendar. So an astronomer and an envoy were dispatched to China in order to master the intricacies of the calendar and to learn as much of Western science as was available in that time and place. Lee Deok-Seong worked at the Gwansang-Gam (觀象監, Royal Astronomical Bureau) during the reigns of King Yeongjo (英祖) and Jeongjo (正祖). As best as we can ascertain in relation with the calculations in the Shixian calendar, Lee visited China four times. During his trips and interactions, he learned a new method for calendar-making calculations, and introduced many Western-Chinese astronomical books to Joseon academia. Lee greatly improved the accuracy of calendrical calculations, even while simplifying the calculation process. With these achievements, he finally was promoted to the title of Sungrok-Daebu (崇祿大夫), the third highest grade of royal official. In conclusion, history demonstrates that Lee Deok-Seong was one of the most outstanding astronomers in the late-Joseon dynasty.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.45-54
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• 2017

This study examines the scale unique instruments used for astronomical observation during the Joseon dynasty. The Small Simplified Armillary Sphere (小簡儀, So-ganui) and the Sun-and-Stars Time-Determining Instrument (日星定時儀, Ilseong-jeongsi-ui) are minimized astronomical instruments, which can be characterized, respectively, as an observational instrument and a clock, and were influenced by the Simplified Armilla (簡儀, Jianyi) of the Yuan dynasty. These two instruments were equipped with several rings, and the rings of one were similar both in size and in scale to those of the other. Using the classic method of drawing the scale on the circumference of a ring, we analyze the scales of the Small Simplified Armillary Sphere and the Sun-and-Stars Time-Determining Instrument. Like the scale feature of the Simplified Armilla, we find that these two instruments selected the specific circumference which can be drawn by two kinds of scales. If Joseon's astronomical instruments is applied by the dual scale drawing on one circumference, we suggest that 3.14 was used as the ratio of the circumference of circle, not 3 like China, when the ring's size was calculated in that time. From the size of Hundred-interval disk of the extant Simplified Sundial in Korea, we make a conclusion that the three rings' diameter of the Sun-and-Stars Time-Determining Instrument described in the Sejiong Sillok (世宗實錄, Veritable Records of the King Sejong) refers to that of the middle circle of every ring, not the outer circle. As analyzing the degree of 28 lunar lodges (lunar mansions) in the equator written by Chiljeongsan-naepyeon (七政算內篇, the Inner Volume of Calculation of the Motions of the Seven Celestial Determinants), we also obtain the result that the scale of the Celestial-circumference-degree in the Small Simplified Armillary Sphere was made with a scale error about 0.1 du in root mean square (RMS).

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.237-246
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• 2016

We analyze the design and specifications of the Sun-and-Stars Time-Determining group of instruments (Ilseong-jeongsi-ui, 日星定時儀) made during the Joseon dynasty. According to the records of the Sejong Sillok (Veritable Records of King Sejong), Sun-and-Stars Time-Determining Instruments measure the solar time of day and the sidereal time of night through three rings and an alidade. One such instrument, the Simplified Time-Determining Instrument (So-jeongsi-ui, 小定時儀), is made without the essential component for alignment with the celestial north pole. Among this group of instruments, only two bronze Hundred-Interval-Ring Sundials (Baekgak-hwan-Ilgu, 百刻環日晷) currently exist. A comparison of the functions of these two relics with two Time-Determining Instruments suggests that the Hundred-Interval-Ring Sundial is a Simplified Sundial (So-ilyeong, 小日影), as recorded in the Sejong Sillok and the Seongjong Sillok (Veritable Records of King Seongjong). Furthermore, the Simplified Sundial is a model derived from the Simplified Time-Determining Instrument. During the King Sejong reign, the Sun-and-Stars Time-Determining Instruments were used in military camps of the kingdom's frontiers, in royal ancestral rituals, and in royal astronomical observatories.

• Publications of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.30 no.1
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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.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.252-263
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• 2019

Objectives : This research aimed to 1) analyze the true meanings of the chapter, 'Wigi Haeng (Wei Qi Xing), the movement of guard qi' in Youngchu (Ling Shu) from the point of view of ancient Chinese Astronomy, 2) calculate the speed of Wigi over 24 Chinese seasons, 3) analyze the true meaning of daytime and nighttime in the chapter. Methods : 1) The chapter 'Wigi Haeng' was analyzed using concepts of ancient Chinese astronomy, 2) the records of angular distances of 28 constellations in the Book of Han (Han Shu) were used to analyze the meanings, and 3) the records of lengths of daytime and nighttime in the Book of Hou Han (Hou Han Shu) were used to calculate the speed of Wigi. Results : 1) The author of the chapter 'Wigi Haeng' did not consider the irregularity in the angular distances of the 28 Chinese constellations (Su). 2) The commentary in the Huangjenaegyong Taeso (Huang Di Nei Jing Tai Su) about the constellations in the chapter is correct. 3) The speed of Wigi changes in daytime and nighttime depending on the seasons. 4) When the speed of Wigi increases in daytime, the speed in nighttime decreases, and vice versa. 5) The beginning of daytime in 'Wigi Haeng' is not the time of sunrise but the time of dawn (2.5 Gak before sunrise). The nighttime ends 2.5 Gak after sunset. Conclusions : 1) The chapter 'Wigi Haeng' demonstrates the ancient astronomical point of view on the universe and the movement of Wigi. The speed of Wigi is variable. 2) This chapter does not address the irregularity in the angular distances of the 28 Su. 3) More research is needed on the meaning of daytime and nighttime in 'Wigi Haeng'.

• Publications of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.591-592
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• 2015

X1822-371 is a low mass X-ray binary with an accretion disk corona exhibiting partial eclipses and pulsations in the X-ray band. We update its orbital ephemeris by combining new RXTE observations and historical records, with a total time span of 34 years. There were 11 RXTE observations in 2011 but the eclipsing profile can be seen in only 4 of them. The eclipsing center times were obtained by fitting the profile with the same model as previous studies. Combined with the eclipsing center times reported by Iaria et al. (2011), the O-C analysis was processed. A quadratic model was applied to fit the O-C results and produced a mean orbital period derivative of $\dot{P}_{orb}=1.339(25){\times}10^{-10}s/s$, which is slightly smaller than previous records. In addition to the orbital modulation from the orbital profile, we also present our preliminary results for measuring the orbital parameters using the orbital Doppler effect from the pulsation of the neutron star in X1822-371. The updated orbital parameters from eclipsing profiles will be further compared with the ones from pulsar timing.

• Publications of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.49-65
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• 2019

We investigate the provenance and the changes in the timekeeping system focusing on official records such as almanacs and textbooks published by the government after the solar calendar was introduced. We found that the solar calendar and the 12-hour clock time first appeared in 1884 during Joseon dynasty, at that time the solar calendar was used at the open port in Busan to facilitate the exchanges with Japan. The 12-hour clock time first appeared in the 『Hansung Sunbo』 published by the government in 1884. We also found that the Joseon dynasty also used 12 diǎnzhōng or 12 diǎn. In addition, the term of the 'Sigan' first appeared in the first official academic textbook in August 1895, and the chapter related to time contained the information about 12-hour clock time instead of the 12 Shi. In 1908, the meaning of the solar time, the equation of time, and the differences in longitude with the adoption of Korean Standard Time were introduced. Meanwhile, the 24-hour clock time was first introduced in Joseon and applied to railway times in 1907. The 1946 almanac, the first issue after liberation, used the 12-hour clock time which uses 'Sango', 'Hao' and the 24-hour clock time started to be used from the following year and is still used to this day. Finally, the 12-hour clock time, which was introduced around 1884, was enacted as Article 44 of the law in 1900 and was revised again in 1905 and 1908. In Korea, the terms related to the time in the current astronomical calendar system were newly defined around 1884, 1896, and 1908, and gradually standardized through the establishment of laws.