Canopus is the brightest star in the southern constellation of Carina, and the second brightest star in the night sky, after Sirius. KCTV and a group of local artists are creating stories and cultural content about the star. Mike Laidman fills us in.




Report

Above the dark black waters off of Seogwipo a bright star twinkles in the night sky.

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Canopus visible September-April in southern sky

The star is Canopus, called the ‘old man star’ in Korea.

The star is located low in the southern sky, at a declination of ?52° 42’.

It is difficult to see in Korea, only being visible from Seogwipo between the months of September and April.

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Symbol of good health and long life

In Korea and China, the star has long been considered a symbol of good health and long life, and some believe that the star answers their prayers.

INTERVIEW
Hyeon Ji-u / Seogwipo
It is said that if you see the star three times a year, you will be healthy and live long.
< 현지우 / 서귀포시 동홍동 >
건강하게 살려고 (노인성을) 1년에 3번씩 보면 건강하고 오래살 수 있어요.

INTERVIEW
Yi Geum-ja / Seogwipo
I prayed to Canopus for the political stability of our country and the financial stability of the people.
< 이금자 / 서귀포시 >
노인성별님 우리나라 좀 조용하게 해주고 안정된 생활을 할 수 있게 해달라고 기도했습니다.

KCTV Jeju and the Seogwipo branch of the Federation of Artistic and Cultural Organizations of Korea are working together to create stories and cultural resources relating to the star.

The two organizations will work towards providing more coverage of the star - its history and cultural relevance - to islanders and tourists alike.

INTERVIEW
Yun Yong-seok / KCTV Jeju
We will produce content about Canopus to inform people in Seogwipo and Jeju about good health and a long life.
< 윤용석 / KCTV제주방송 편성제작국장 >
노인성의 콘텐츠화를 통해 서귀포시가 무병장수의 고장, 제주도 역시 무병장수의 섬으로 알려질 수 있는 기회가 되도록 노력하겠습니다.

KCTV Jeju is planning a television program about the star and the Federation of Artistic and Cultural Organizations of Korea is building an observatory in Seogwipo.

INTERVIEW
Yun Bong-taek / Fed. of Artistic & Cultural Organizations
We will talk with Seogwipo about building an observatory that will provide visual and auditory information about the star.
< 윤봉택 / 한국예총 서귀포지회장 >
포인트별로 노인성 볼 수 있는 곳을 별도로 지정해서 노인성에 대한 시각적, 청각적인 효과도 느낄 수 있도록 시와 협의해 나가겠습니다.

[Reporter] Mike Laidman
[Camera] Moon Ho-seong

It is hoped that the new projects surrounding Canopus will leverage the beauty of Seogwipo to teach all those interested about the cultural significance of this special star.

Mike Laidman, KCTV