Event #213: Guest Star, Bushy star, Cassiopeia; observed in China

The Han shu (100) is the oldest Chinese text reporting this “guest star”. lt says the object was seen during the month of -48 April 14 to May 12. lt “stayed at the northeast of Wang-Liang [α, β, γ, η, κ, and ν, Cassiopeiae], at a distance of about 9° away.” The Chinese said it was 10° long and pointed toward the west. The object Ieft Ko—Tao [ε, θ, ι, φ, and χ Cassiopeiae], and entered the Tzu-Wei Enclosure [Draco, Ursa Minor, Cepheus, and Camelopardalis].

“The Chronicle of Silla, contained in the Korean text Samguk Sagi (1145), says a “guest star” was seen during the month of -48 April 14 to May 12. Ho Peng Yoke (1962) wrote that ancient Korean accounts may not be original, but were probably copied from the Chinese texts.

Full moon: April 28

Sources: Han shu (100), 8:24b & 26:31a; Samguk Sagi (1145), p. 147; A. G. Pingré (1783), p. 277; J. Williams (1871), p. 8; G. F Chambers (1889), p. 556; Ho Peng Yoke (1962), p. 147

49 BC, April; China, Korea. A guest star stayed about 15 degrees northeast of Cassiopeia. It measured over 15 degrees and pointed toward the west. It left Cassiopeia and went to the northern enclosure. Ho (56), Barrett, (32)

(a) 1st year of the Huanglong reign period of Emperor Xuan of the Han Dynasty, 3rd month; a star became fuzzy in Wangliang and Gedao then entered Zigong.

(b) 1st year of the Huanglong reign period of Emperor Xuan of the Han Dynasty, 3rd month; a guest star over 1 zhang long stayed about 9 chi northeast of Wangliang, pointing west; it emerged within Gedao and reached as far as Zigong.

(c) 9th year of King Hyeokgeose of Silla, spring, 3rd month; there was a fuzzy star in Wangliang.Gary W. Kronk (1999 page 21):