Tianji: Difference between revisions

From All Skies Encyclopaedia
Tianji
No edit summary
No edit summary
 
(4 intermediate revisions by one other user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{DISPLAYTITLE: Tianji (天纪)}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE: Tianji (天纪)}}


Tiān Jì (Celestial Discipline, 天紀) consists of nine stars forming an east–west alignment that extends across the modern constellations ''Corona Borealis'', ''Hercules'', and ''Lyra''. This asterism and the coordinate of its determinative star was first recorded in the Western Han ''Shishi xingjing'' (Master Shi’s Star Canon, 石氏星經).
Tiān Jì (Celestial Discipline, 天紀) consists of nine stars forming an east–west alignment that extends across the modern constellations ''[[Corona Borealis]]'', ''[[Hercules]]'', and ''[[Lyra]]''. This asterism and the coordinate of its determinative star was first recorded in the Western Han ''Shishi xingjing'' (Master Shi’s Star Canon, 石氏星經).


== Concordance, Etymology, History ==
== Concordance, Etymology, History ==
Line 13: Line 13:
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|+
|+
!Star Names or Orders(Traditional/Qing)
!Star Names or Orders(Qing)
!Ho PENG YOKE<ref>P.-Y. Ho, “Ancient And Mediaeval Observations of Comets and Novae in Chinese Sources,” ''Vistas in Astronomy'', 5(1962), 127-225.</ref>
!Ho PENG YOKE<ref>P.-Y. Ho, “Ancient And Mediaeval Observations of Comets and Novae in Chinese Sources,” ''Vistas in Astronomy'', 5(1962), 127-225.</ref>
!Yi Shitong<ref>Yi Shitong伊世同. ''Zhongxi Duizhao Hengxing Tubiao''中西对照恒星图表1950. Beijing: Science Press.1981: 56.</ref>
!Yi Shitong<ref>Yi Shitong伊世同. ''Zhongxi Duizhao Hengxing Tubiao''中西对照恒星图表1950. Beijing: Science Press.1981: 56.</ref>
Based on catalogue in 18th century
Based on catalogue in 18th century
!Pan Nai<ref name=":0">Pan Nai潘鼐. ''Zhongguo Hengxing Guance shi''中国恒星观测史[M]. Shanghai: Xuelin Pree. 1989. p226.</ref>
!Pan Nai<ref name=":0">Pan Nai潘鼐. ''Zhongguo Hengxing Guance shi''中国恒星观测史[M]. Shanghai: Xuelin Pree. 1989. p226.</ref>
based on Xinyixiangfayao Star Map
based on Huangyou Star Catalogue and Xinyixiangfayao Star Map
!SUN X. & J. Kistemaker<ref>Sun Xiaochun. & Kistemaker J. ''The Chinese sky during the Han''. Leiden: Brill. 1997, Pp241-6.</ref>
!SUN X. & J. Kistemaker<ref>Sun Xiaochun. & Kistemaker J. ''The Chinese sky during the Han''. Leiden: Brill. 1997, Pp241-6.</ref>
Han Dynasty
Han Dynasty
!Boshun Yang<ref name=":1">B.-S. Yang杨伯顺, ''Zhongguo Chuantong Hengxing Guance Jingdu ji Xingguan Yanbian Yanjiu'' 中国传统恒星观测精度及星官演变研究 (A Research on the Accuracy of Chinese Traditional Star Observation and the Evolution of Constellations), PhD thesis, (Hefei: University of Science and Technology of China, 2023). 261.</ref>
!Boshun Yang<ref name=":1">B.-S. Yang杨伯顺, ''Zhongguo Chuantong Hengxing Guance Jingdu ji Xingguan Yanbian Yanjiu'' 中国传统恒星观测精度及星官演变研究 (A Research on the Accuracy of Chinese Traditional Star Observation and the Evolution of Constellations), PhD thesis, (Hefei: University of Science and Technology of China, 2023). 261.</ref>
before Tang dynasty
before Tang dynasty
!Boshun Yang<ref name=":1" />
Yuan Dynaty (1363)
|-
|-
| 1st/Determinative
| 1st/Determinative
| delta Aur
| upsilon CrB
| delta Aur
| xi CrB
| beta Cam
| xi CrB
| beta Cam
| xi CrB
| delta Aur
| xi CrB
|zeta Her
|-
|-
| 2nd
| 2nd
| xi Aur
| xi CrB
| xi Aur
| zeta Her
| HIP 21601
| nu2 Her
| 17 Cam
| zeta Her
| 16 Cam
| nu1 Her
|53 Her
|-
|-
| 3rd
| 3rd
| 26 Cam
| zeta Her
| 26 Cam
| epsilon Her
| HIP 20376
| zeta Her
| 16 Cam
| 53 Her
| beta Cam
| zeta Her
|epsilon Her
|-
|-
|4th
|4th
|17 Cam
|53 Her
|14 Cam
|d Her
|epsilon Her
⚫
|HIP 21452
|epsilon Her
|delta Aur
|epsilon Her
|alpha Cam
|u her
|-
|-
|5th
|5th
| 5 Cam
| epsilon Her
| 7 Cam
| 61 Her
| HIP 22783
| d Her
| 2 Lyn
| d Her
| 29997
| d Her
|w Her
|-
|-
|6th
|6th
|7 Cam
|d Her
|9 Aur
|u her
|w Her
⚫
|HIP 24017
|1 Lyn
|u her
|15 Lyn
|u her
⚫
|HIP 85382
|-
|-
|7th
|7th
|c Her
|HIP 24479
|Her 86178
|11 Cam
|HIP 22626
|HIP 85382
|theta Her
|12 Lyn
|theta Her
|7 Cam
|theta Her
|-
|-
|8th
|8th
|31 Cam
|u her
|?
|31 Cam
|theta Her
|HIP 24914
|kappa Lyr
|15 Lyn
|kappa Lyr
|9 Aur
⚫
|HIP 88836
|-
|9th
|theta Her
|theta Her
|f Her
|
|mu Lyr
|kappa Lyr
|}
|}


Line 88: Line 106:
!same in Stellarium 25.3
!same in Stellarium 25.3
|-
|-
|[[File:Bagu in Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido.jpg|thumb|Bagu in ''Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido'']]
|[[File:Tianji on Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido.jpg|thumb|Tianji on ''Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido'']]
|[[File:Bagu before Tang Dynasty Reconstructed by Boshun Yang (2023) .jpg|thumb|Bagu before Tang Dynasty Reconstructed by Boshun Yang (2023)]]
|[[File:Tianji before Tang Dynasty Reconstructed by Boshun Yang.jpg|thumb|Tianji before Tang Dynasty Reconstructed by Boshun Yang(2023)]]
|[[File:Bagu before Tang dynasty demonstrated in Stellarium.jpg|thumb|Bagu before Tang dynasty demonstrated in Stellarium]]
|[[File:Tianji before Tang Dynasty in Stellarium.jpg|thumb|Tianji before Tang Dynasty in Stellarium]]
|-
|-
|[[File:Bagu in Suzhou Star Map.jpg|thumb|Bagu in Suzhou Star Map]]
|[[File:Tianji on Suzhou Star Map.jpg|thumb|Tianji on Suzhou Star Map]]
|[[File:Bagu in Song Dynasty Reconstructed by Pan Nai (2009).jpg|thumb|Bagu in Song Dynasty Reconstructed by Pan Nai (2009)]]
|[[File:Tianji in Northern Song Dynasty ( based on 1052 obserrvation) Reconstructed by PAN Nai-.jpg|thumb|Tianji in Northern Song Dynasty ( based on 1052 obserrvation) Reconstructed by PAN Nai (2009)]]
|[[File:Bagu in Song dynasty demonstrated in Stellarium.jpg|thumb|Bagu in Song dynasty demonstrated in Stellarium]]
|[[File:Tianji in Northern Song Dynasty in Stellarium.jpg|thumb|Tianji in Northern Song Dynasty in Stellarium]]
|-
|-
|
|[[File:Bagu in Jesuits Star Map in 17th Century.jpg|thumb|Bagu in Jesuits Star Map in 17th Century]]
|[[File:Bagu Reconstructed by Yi Shitong (1981) based on Qing Star Catalogue in 18th Century.jpg|thumb|Bagu Reconstructed by Yi Shitong (1981) based on Qing Star Catalogue in 18th Century]]
|[[File:Tianji in late Yuan Dynasty (1363 or so) Reconstructed by Boshun Yang.jpg|thumb|Tianji in late Yuan Dynasty (1363 or so) Reconstructed by Boshun Yang (2023)]]
|[[File:Bagu in 18th century demonstrated in Stellarium.jpg|thumb|Bagu in 18th century demonstrated in Stellarium]]
|[[File:Tianji in late Yuan Dynasty (1363 or so) in Stellrium.jpg|thumb|Tianji in late Yuan Dynasty (1363 or so) in Stellrium]]
|-
|[[File:Tianji on 18th century star map.jpg|thumb|Tianji on 18th century star map]]
|[[File:Tianji in 18th Century Reconstructed by YI Shitong.jpg|thumb|Tianji in 18th Century Reconstructed by YI Shitong (1981)]]
|[[File:Tianji in 18th Century in Stellarium.jpg|thumb|Tianji in 18th Century in Stellarium]]
|}
|}




== Star Name Discussion (IAU) ==
== Star Name Discussion (IAU) ==
In 2025, the name of the historical constellation Bā Gǔ (八穀) was suggested to WGSN to be used for one of the stars in this constellation based on a review of Chinese cultural astronomy literature. Discussion focused on the bright star Delta Aurigae, which was the determinative star following multiple published versions of the asterism.

WGSN adopted the name "Bagu" for the bright star designated Delta Aurigae (HR 2077, HD 40035, HIP 28358) on 12 November 2025.

Bagu is a bright (V=3.72 mag) star at distance 43 parsecs. Since the middle of the 20th century, the star served as a Morgan-Keenan spectral standard for K0 giants. The star has a diameter about 12 times larger than that of our Sun. The star is a single-lined spectroscopic binary catalogued in SBC9, i.e. it has a faint companion on a period of 3.51 years (Griffin 2009). Specifically the name is applied to the primary Aa.


==References ==
==References ==

Latest revision as of 07:06, 9 December 2025


Tiān Jì (Celestial Discipline, 天紀) consists of nine stars forming an east–west alignment that extends across the modern constellations Corona Borealis, Hercules, and Lyra. This asterism and the coordinate of its determinative star was first recorded in the Western Han Shishi xingjing (Master Shi’s Star Canon, 石氏星經).

Concordance, Etymology, History

Tianji is also called Jì xīng (Decipline Star). The term jì (紀) originally denoted “a thread of silk,” later acquiring the metaphorical meanings of “order,” “law,” or “discipline.” Hence, the Shishi zan (Commentary of Shi) explains: “The nine stars of Tiān Jì regulate litigation.” The ancients believed that by observing this asterism, one could divine whether the legal order of the empire remained upright and just.

Another interpretation, however, regarded the nine stars of Tianji as representing the Nine States (which are the major component of ancient China). According to this view, any unusual phenomenon observed in the asterism—such as brightening, dimming, or disappearance—portended terrestrial disasters such as earthquakes or mountain collapses.

Because most of its component stars are faint, the ancient astronomers considered any abnormal changes in their visibility—whether excessive brightness, darkness, or disappearance—as inauspicious omens.

Identification of stars

Star Names or Orders(Qing) Ho PENG YOKE[1] Yi Shitong[2]

Based on catalogue in 18th century

Pan Nai[3]

based on Huangyou Star Catalogue and Xinyixiangfayao Star Map

SUN X. & J. Kistemaker[4]

Han Dynasty

Boshun Yang[5]

before Tang dynasty

Boshun Yang[5]

Yuan Dynaty (1363)

1st/Determinative upsilon CrB xi CrB xi CrB xi CrB xi CrB zeta Her
2nd xi CrB zeta Her nu2 Her zeta Her nu1 Her 53 Her
3rd zeta Her epsilon Her zeta Her 53 Her zeta Her epsilon Her
4th 53 Her d Her epsilon Her epsilon Her epsilon Her u her
5th epsilon Her 61 Her d Her d Her d Her w Her
6th d Her u her w Her u her u her HIP 85382
7th c Her Her 86178 HIP 85382 theta Her theta Her theta Her
8th u her ? theta Her kappa Lyr kappa Lyr HIP 88836
9th theta Her theta Her f Her mu Lyr kappa Lyr

Maps (Gallery)

historical map modern identification same in Stellarium 25.3
Tianji on Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido
Tianji before Tang Dynasty Reconstructed by Boshun Yang(2023)
Tianji before Tang Dynasty in Stellarium
Tianji on Suzhou Star Map
Tianji in Northern Song Dynasty ( based on 1052 obserrvation) Reconstructed by PAN Nai (2009)
Tianji in Northern Song Dynasty in Stellarium
Tianji in late Yuan Dynasty (1363 or so) Reconstructed by Boshun Yang (2023)
Tianji in late Yuan Dynasty (1363 or so) in Stellrium
Tianji on 18th century star map
Tianji in 18th Century Reconstructed by YI Shitong (1981)
Tianji in 18th Century in Stellarium


Star Name Discussion (IAU)

References

References (Chinese)

  1. ↑ P.-Y. Ho, “Ancient And Mediaeval Observations of Comets and Novae in Chinese Sources,” Vistas in Astronomy, 5(1962), 127-225.
  2. ↑ Yi Shitong伊世同. Zhongxi Duizhao Hengxing Tubiao中西对照恒星图表1950. Beijing: Science Press.1981: 56.
  3. ↑ Pan Nai潘鼐. Zhongguo Hengxing Guance shi中国恒星观测史[M]. Shanghai: Xuelin Pree. 1989. p226.
  4. ↑ Sun Xiaochun. & Kistemaker J. The Chinese sky during the Han. Leiden: Brill. 1997, Pp241-6.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 B.-S. Yang杨伯顺, Zhongguo Chuantong Hengxing Guance Jingdu ji Xingguan Yanbian Yanjiu 中国传统恒星观测精度及星官演变研究 (A Research on the Accuracy of Chinese Traditional Star Observation and the Evolution of Constellations), PhD thesis, (Hefei: University of Science and Technology of China, 2023). 261.
Retrieved from "https://xing.fmi.uni-jena.de/mediawiki/index.php?title=Tianji&oldid=35337"