Archaeoastronomy in East Asia: Historical Observational Records ...

BC 974 Feb–Apr (Ho 3)

19th year of King Zhao of Western Zhou, spring; a star became fuzzy in Ziwei.

[Zhushu jinian]

BC 632 (Ho 4)

When [Duke] Wen of Jin was about to battle King Cheng of Chu at Chengpu, a broom star appeared in [the astral space of] Chu, with Chu holding the handle. [Duke Wen] asked Jiu Fan about it. Jiu Fan said, “When there is a broom star during combat, the one on the contrary [i.e., sweep] end gains the victory.”

[Lunheng jiaoshi] ch. 5

NB: Ordinarily, a broom star in one’s astral space is favorable, however, not in this case, according to Jiu Fan.

BC 613 [China] (Ho 5)

(a) 14th year of Duke Wen of Lu; a broom star entered Beidou.

[Shiji: shi-er guo nian biao] ch. 14

(b) 14th year of Duke Wen of Lu, 7th month (Jun 7–Jul 6); a broom star appeared and entered Beidou.

[Han shu: wu xing zhi] ch. 27

BC 525 [China] (Ho 7)

17th year of Duke Zhao of Lu; a broom star appeared in Chen.

[Shiji: shi-er guo nian biao] ch. 14

17th year of Duke Zhao of Lu, in the winter; a star appeared fuzzy in Dachen.

[Han shu: wu xing zhi] ch. 27

BC 516 [China] (Ho 8)

(a) 32nd year of Duke Jing of Qi; a broom star appeared.

[Shiji: shi-er guo nian biao] ch. 14

(b) 32nd year of Duke Jing of Qi; a broom star appeared in the northeast, corresponding to the astrological division of the state of Qi.

[Shiji] ch. 32