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Title: Astronomical observation Daily Log (星變測候單子) of the Joseon Dynasty

Speaker: Dr. Hong-jin Yang (KASI)

Date&Time: 2023-11-24, 11:00 AM

Location: 과학관 B102호 (Science Hall, B102)

Language: Korean

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Abstract:

Korea has a long history of astronomy and there remain abundant astronomical records of more than 2,000 years in chronicles. Among Korean historical records, there are daily log of astronomical observation, so we can see raw data at the time of observation. SeongByeonCheukHuDanJa (星變測候單子) is the observation log that recorded the astronomical variable events in Gwansangam (觀象監), the royal astronomical agency during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Most of the observation logs were lost in the late Joseon Dynasty, and currently 38 observation logs of three comets remain in Korea. In the log, observation time, position of the comet, length and direction of the tail, etc. were recorded daily along with a drawing of the comet's position and shape. One of these records, in April 1759, was the series of observations of Halley's Comet, which visited Earth for the first time after Edmond Halley (1656-1742) predicted the comet's visit. In this talk, we would like to describe the characteristics and scientific values of these logs in view of the history of astronomy as well as modern science. We also introduce the activities and plans to register the existing set of daily logs in the UNESCO Memory of the World.