Old Documents Exhibit: "Yonsei and the Tradition of Science in Korea" Chart Thought to be Older than National Treasure No. 228 1759 Record of Halley’s Comet Also Exhibited The Yonsei University Library (Director: Kim Taesoo) hosted an exhibit of old documents from May 10. The exhibit, titled "Yonsei and the Tradition of Science in Korea", commemorated the opening of the Yonsei-Samsung Library, where the exhibit was held. For this exhibit, precious documents and records that had been carefully stored in the library were made open to the public. One of the most impressive documents is the 250-year-old 1759 record of Halley’s Comet. The Seongbyeondeungrok (pic. 1-1, 1-2) was made by the Kwansangkam, the office in charge of astronomy and geography during the Choseon Dynasty. It is listed as Seoul’s Tangible Cultural Property No. 222. The document is the record of the changes of the Halley’s Comet, beginning with its appearance on March 5, 1759, and ending with its extinction on March 29. The comet’s trajectory, the length of its tail, shape, and color were recorded daily. The observation continued until March 29 even though the comet disappeared on March 27, in order to verify its extinction. The comet was observed all over the world, but this record is considered to be the most detailed record. Two manuscript charts from the Choseon Dynasty are also of interest: the Geonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido (pic. 2) and its Cheonmundo (astronomical chart). The Cheonmundo is similar to the Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido(National Treasure No.228) but Professor Nha Il-Seong has raised the possibility that the Geonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido was made before the Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido (1395). If Professor Nha’s claim can be verified, this means that the Geonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido is worthy of being named a National Treasure as well. Director Kim Taesoo commented on the significance of the exhibit: "Yonsei University has led the Korean academia in adopting and teaching modern science. The mathematics, physics, and chemistry education offered with medical studies at the Jejungwon is probably the first instance of education in western sciences. Yonhi College Department of Mathematics and Science functioned as the pioneer of research and education in the field of science, despite the harsh conditions of life under Japanese occupation. This exhibit will allow us to reaffirm our status as leaders and pioneers of modern science education in Korea."