• Publications of The Korean Astronomical Society
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.407-420
• /
• 2017

We study the operation of a lunisolar calendar in Korea and its time data calculation method. The dates based on the lunisolar calendar have been conventionally used in Korea after the Gregorian calendar was introduced in 1896. With the Astronomy Act enacted in 2010, the lunisolar calendar is presently being used as an official calendar along with the Gregorian calendar. However, no institutionalized regulations have been provided on the time data calculation method by the lunisolar calendar. The Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute very recently established the regulations on the lunisolar calendar operation in Korea. We introduce the regulations together with historical substances and analyze the time data calculated according to the regulations for 600 years from 1901 to 2500. From our study, we find that the value of ${\Delta}T$ (i.e., the difference between the terrestrial time and the universal time) is the most critical parameter causing uncertainty on the data. We also find that all new Moon days in the almanacs agree with our calculations since 1912. Meanwhile, we find that new Moon and winter solstice times are found to be very close to midnight in 38 and five cases, respectively. For instance, the new Moon time on January 14, 2097 is 0 h 0 min 8 s. In this case, deciding the first day (i.e., new moon day) in a lunar month is difficult because of the large uncertainty in the value of ${\Delta}T$. Regarding with a lunar leap month, we find that the rules of inserting the leap month do not apply for 17 years. In conclusion, we believe that our findings are helpful in determining calendar days by using the lunisolar calendar.

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

• Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society
• /
• v.45 no.4
• /
• pp.85-91
• /
• 2012

Astronomical data making such as forming a calendar, period of day, determining the time of rising/setting of the sun and the 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 in the calendar day of the Joseon dynasty (1392 - 1910), we investigate the sexagenary cycle of the new moon day (i.e., the first day in a lunar month) by using sources such as results of the calculations using the Datong calendar (a Chinese Calendar of the Ming Dynasty) and the data of Baekjungryeok (a Perpetual Calendar; literally, a one hundred-year almanac). Compared with the study of Ahn et al., we find that as many as 17 sexagenary cycles show discrepancies. In the cases of nine discrepancies, we find that the sexagenary cycles of this study are identical to those of the almanacs at that time. In addition, we study five sexagenary cycles by using the historical accounts of Joseon Wangjo Sillok (Annals of the Joseon Dynasty), Seungjeongwon Ilgi (Daily Reports of Royal Secretariat), Chungung Ilgi (Logs of Crown Prince), and so forth. For the remaining discrepancies, we present historical literature supporting the results of this study. This study will greatly contribute to the identification of the lunisolar calendar days during the Joseon dynasty as the dates of the modern (i.e., Gregorian) calendar.