• Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.261-288
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• 2016

We present the results of simultaneous monitoring observations of $H_2O$ $6_{1,6}-5_{2,3}$ (22GHz) and SiO J=1-0, 2-1, 3-2 maser lines (43, 86, 129GHz) toward five post-AGB (candidate) stars, using the 21-m single-dish telescopes of the Korean VLBI Network. Depending on the target objects, 7 - 11 epochs of data were obtained. We detected both $H_2O$ and SiO maser lines from four sources: OH16.1-0.3, OH38.10-0.13, OH65.5+1.3, and IRAS 19312+1950. We could not detect $H_2O$ maser emission toward OH13.1+5.1 between the late OH/IR and post-AGB stage. The detected $H_2O$ masers show typical double-peaked line profiles. The SiO masers from four sources, except IRAS 19312+1950, show the peaks around the stellar velocity as a single peak, whereas the SiO masers from IRAS 19312+1950 occur above the red peak of the $H_2O$ maser. We analyzed the properties of detected maser lines, and investigated their evolutionary state through comparison with the full widths at zero power. The distribution of observed target sources was also investigated in the IRAS two-color diagram in relation with the evolutionary stage of post-AGB stars. From our analyses, the evolutionary sequence of observed sources is suggested as OH65.5+1.3${\rightarrow}$OH13.1+5.1${\rightarrow}$OH16.1-0.3${\rightarrow}$OH38.10-0.13, except for IRAS 19312+1950. In addition, OH13.1+5.1 from which the $H_2O$ maser has not been detected is suggested to be on the gateway toward the post-AGB stage. With respect to the enigmatic object, IRAS 19312+1950, we could not clearly figure out its nature. To properly explain the unusual phenomena of SiO and $H_2O$ masers, it is essential to establish the relative locations and spatial distributions of two masers using VLBI technique. We also include the $1.2-160{\mu}m$ spectral energy distribution using photometric data from the following surveys: 2MASS, WISE, MSX, IRAS, and AKARI (IRC and FIS). In addition, from the IRAS LRS spectra, we found that the depth of silicate absorption features shows significant variations depending on the evolutionary sequence, associated with the termination of AGB phase mass-loss.

• Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.293-302
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• 2014

Simultaneous time monitoring observations of $H_2O$ $6_{16}-5_{23}$, SiO J = 1-0, 2-1, 3-2, and $^{29}SiO$ ${\upsilon}=0$, J = 1-0 lines are carried out in the direction of the Mira variable star TX Cam with the Korean VLBI Network single dish radio telescopes. For the first time, the $H_2O$ maser emission from TX Cam is detected near the stellar velocity at five epochs from April 10, 2013 (${\phi}=3.13$) to June 4, 2014 (${\phi}=3.89$) including minimum optical phases. The intensities of $H_2O$ masers are very weak compared to SiO masers. The variation of peak antenna temperature ratios among SiO ${\upsilon}=1$, J = 1-0, J = 2-1, and J = 3-2 masers is investigated according to their phases. The shift of peak velocities of $H_2O$ and SiO masers with respect to the stellar velocity is also investigated according to observed optical phases. The $H_2O$ maser emission occurs around the stellar velocity during our monitoring interval. On the other hand, the peak velocities of SiO masers show a spread compared to the stellar velocity. The peak velocities of SiO J = 2-1, and J = 3-2 masers show a smaller spread with respect to the stellar velocity than those of SiO J = 1-0 masers. These simultaneous observations of multi-frequencies will provide a good constraint for maser pumping models and a good probe for investigating the stellar atmosphere and envelope according to their different excitation conditions.

• Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.267-275
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• 2015

Simultaneous time monitoring observations of H₂O and SiO maser lines were performed toward the D-type symbiotic binary system V407 Cyg with the Korean VLBI Network single dish radio telescope. These monitoring observations were carried out from March 2, 2010 (optical phase ϕ = 0.0), 8 days before the nova outburst on March 10, 2010 to June 5, 2014 (ϕ = 2.13). Eight days before the nova outburst, we detected the SiO v = 1, 2, J = 1–0 maser lines which exhibited values of 0.51 K (∼ 6.70 Jy) and 0.71 K (∼ 9.30 Jy), respectively, while after the outburst we could not detect them on April 2 (ϕ = 0.04), May 5 (ϕ = 0.09), May 8 (ϕ = 0.09), or on June 5, 2010 (ϕ = 0.13) within the upper limits of our KVN observations. After restarting our monitoring observations, we detected SiO v = 2, J = 1–0 masers starting on October 20, 2011 (ϕ = 0.83) and detected SiO v = 1, J = 1–0 masers starting on December 22, 2011 (ϕ = 0.92). These results provide clear evidence of the interaction between the shock from the nova outburst and the SiO maser regions of the Mira envelope. The peak emission of SiO v = 1, 2, J = 1–0 masers always occurred at blueshifted velocities with respect to the stellar velocity except for that of SiO v = 1 at one epoch. These phenomena may be related to the redistribution of SiO maser regions after the outburst. The peak velocity variations of SiO masers associated with stellar pulsation phases show an increasing blueshifted trend during our monitoring interval after the outburst.