Research Article
A Study of Ch'ŏnsang yŏlch'a punyachido
Chonong Women's Middle School
Published: January 1995 · Vol. 17 · pp. 3-38
Full Text
Abstract
Ch'ŏnsang yŏlch'a punyajido 天象列次分野之圖(Chart of the constellations and the regions governed by them) is a celestial planisphere which was carved on a stone slab 4 years after Yi Sung-Kye, King Taecho, established the new dynasty, Chosŏn(1395). It is recorded in the explanation of the Chart that it was made after a celestial planisphere of Koguryŏ. There are 1,464 stars in the Chart, all of which can be observed in Korea. Until now, there have been different opinions about the date of the observations recorded in the Chart; 200 A.D. (Lee Un-Sŏng, 1980), 4th-6th century A.D. (Jeon Sang-Woon, 1975), 500 A.D. (Pak Sŏng-Whoan, 1987), 5th-6th century A.D. (Lee Jun-Gŏl, 1982) etc. In this study, I estimate the date by considering 1) equinoxes, and 2) the position of the 28 constellations recorded in north polar distance and right ascension, in terms of precession and proper motion. The date obtained by 1) is about 50 B.C. and 2) about 100 B.C.-100 A.D. Therefore the date can estimated to be about 1st century B.C. There have been many disputes about the question of whether the celestial planisphere was revised at the time of Taecho. I examined the position of the Polaris, the Dipper, the Kak(角) and the Hang(亢) on the chart in this study, and found out that their position was closer to the position in 1395 than that in Koguryŏ period. Therefore I conclude that in making Ch'ŏnsang yŏlch'a punyachido 天象列次分野之圖 at the time of Taecho was some revise on was made to the original chart of Koguryŏ.