• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• 제44권1호
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• pp.80.1-80.1
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• 2019

Photometric investigations of asteroids allow us to determine their rotation states and shape models (Apostolovska et al. 2014). Our main target, asteroid (2078) Nanking's perihelion distance (q) is 1.480 AU, which belongs to the Mars-crossing asteroid (1.3 < q < 1.66 AU). Mars-crossing asteroids are objects that cross the orbit of Mars and regarded as one of the primary sources of near-Earth asteroids due to the unstable nature of their orbits. We present the analysis of the spin parameters and 3D shape model of (2078) Nanking. We conducted Cousins_R-band time-series photometry of this asteroid from November 26, 2014 to January 17, 2015 at the Sobaeksan Optical Astronomy Observatory (SOAO) and for 25 nights from March to April 2016 using the Korea Microlensing Telescope Network (KMTNet) to reconstruct its physical model with our dense photometric datasets. Using the lightcurve inversion method (Kaasalainen & Torppa 2001; Kaasalainen et al. 2001), we determine the pole orientation and shape model of this object based on our lightcurves along with the archival data obtained from the literatures. We derived rotational period of 6.461 h, the preliminary ecliptic longitude (${\lambda}_p$) and latitude (${\beta}_p$) of its pole as ${\lambda}_p{\sim}8^{\circ}$ and ${\beta}_p{\sim}-52^{\circ}$ which indicates a retrograde rotation of the body. From the apparent W UMa-shaped lightcurve and its location in the rotation frequency-amplitude plot of Sheppard and Jewitt (2004), we suspect the contact binary nature of the body (Choi 2016).

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• 제44권2호
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• pp.71.2-71.2
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• 2019

In order to gather clues to surface mineralogy of asteroids, we classify their taxonomy based on their reflected spectra. It is remarkable that a large number of asteroids plotted in the proper orbital element space with distinct colors according to their taxonomic types reveal the dynamical evolution and the structure in the near-Earth space, the main-belt and beyond. Although we have ~1×10⁶ known objects, no more than ~3×10³ of them are properly classified taxonomically as visible-near infrared spectroscopy is costly. On the other hand, multi-wavelength broadband photometry in the visible region provides a rather inexpensive alternative tool for approximate taxonomy. Thus we have conducted multi-band observations systematically using Korea Microlensing Telescope Network (KMTNet) with BVRI and griz filters since back in 2015. We then applied aperture photometry with elliptical apertures to fit the trails of objects during the exposures, and classified them with the principle component indices of Ivezic et al. (2001). We will make use of our new, three dimensional asteroid classification scheme for the next step.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• 제37권3호
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• pp.171-185
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• 2020

This paper presents a methodology for Initial Orbit Determination (IOD) based on a modification of the Laplace's geocentric method. The orbital elements for Near-Earth asteroids (1864) Daedalus, 2003 GW, 2019 JA8, a Hungaria-type asteroid (4690) Strasbourg, and the asteroids of the Main Belt (1738) Oosterhoff, (2717) Tellervo, (1568) Aisleen and (2235) Vittore were calculated. Input data observations from the Minor Planet Center MPC database and Astronomical Observatory of the Technological University of Pereira (OAUTP; MPC code W63) were used. These observations cover observation arcs of less than 22 days. The orbital errors, in terms of shape and orientation for the estimated orbits of the asteroids, were calculated. The shape error was less than 53 × 10^-3 AU, except for the asteroid 2019 JA8. On the other hand, errors in orientation were less than 0.1 rad, except for (4690) Strasbourg. Additionally, we estimated ephemerides for all bodies for up to two months. When compared with actual ephemerides, the errors found allowed us to conclude that these bodies can be recovered in a field of vision of 95' × 72' (OAUTP field). This shows that Laplace's method, though simple, may still be useful in the IOD study, especially for observatories that initiate programs of minor bodies observation.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• 제35권1호
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• pp.87.2-87.2
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• 2010

Near-Earth asteroid-comet transition object 4015 Wilson-Harrington is a possible target of the joint European Space Agency (ESA) and Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Marco Polo sample return mission. 4015 W-H was discovered showing cometary activity by Albert G. Wilson and Robert G. Harrington at Palomar Observatory in 1949. After recovered in 1979, 4015 W-H has been observed at every apparition, it always was seen as a point source. We made time series observations for 4015 W-H using the 1.8m telescope with 2K CCD at Bohyunsan Observatory, on the nights of 2009 November 17-19. The geocentric distance of 4015 H-W was about 0.38 AU at that time. No trace of cometary activity is seen from our images. From the light curve analysis, we find a double-peaked rotational period of 2.2 hours with amplitude of 0.4 magnitude. Our result is much shorter than previous measurements of 3.6 hours (Harris & Young 1983) and 6.1 hours (Osip et al 1995). We will discuss possible origin of the period variations.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• 제38권3호
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• pp.165-173
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• 2021

Apophis is a near-Earth object with a diameter of approximately 340 m, which will come closer to the Earth than a geostationary orbit in 2029, offering a unique opportunity for characterizing the object during the upcoming encounter. Therefore, Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute has a plan to propose a space mission to explore the Apophis asteroid using scientific instruments such as a laser altimeter. In this study, we evaluate the performance metrics of a laser altimeter using a pseudorandom noise modulation technique for the Apophis mission, in terms of detection probability and ranging accuracy. The closed-form expression of detection probability is provided using the cross correlation between the received pulse trains and pseudo-random binary sequence. And the new ranging accuracy model using Gaussian error propagation is also derived by considering the sampling rate. The operation range is significantly limited by thermal noise rather than background noise, owing to not only the low power laser but also the avalanche photodiode in the analog mode operation. However, it is demonstrated from the numerical simulation that the laser altimeter can achieve the ranging performance required for a proximity operation mode, which employs commercially available components onboard CubeSat-scale satellites for optical communications.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• 제38권1호
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• pp.62.2-62.2
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• 2013

It is considered that comets near the ecliptic plane have been injected into inner solar system from Kuiper-belt. Some of them are still active while others are dormant with no detectable tails and comae. These dormant comets have eccentric and/or inclined orbits, which are parameterized by Tisserand parameter TJ<3. In addition, dormant comets can be differentiated from asteroids based on the albedo, because they have low albedo (the geometrical albedos pv<0.1). The conditions of TJ<3 and pv<0.1 have been used as a criteria to discriminate dormant comets from asteroids. However, we must be more careful because there are 'contaminations' from the outer region, i.e. Jovian Trojans (5.05

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• 제41권2호
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• pp.48.2-48.2
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• 2016

The wide-field and the round-the clock operation capabilities of the KMTNet enables the discovery, astrometry and follow-up physical characterization of asteroids and comets in a most efficient way. We collectively refer to the team members, partner organizations, the dedicated software subsystem, the computing facility and research activities as Deep Ecliptic Patrol of the Southern Sky (DEEP-South). Most of the telescope time for DEEP-South is devoted to targeted photometry of Near Earth Asteroids (NEAs) to push up the number of the population with known physical properties from several percent to several dozens of percent, in the long run. We primarily adopt Johnson R-band for lightcurve study, while we employ BVI filters for taxonomic classification and detection of any possible color variations of an object at the same time. In this presentation, the progress and new findings since the last KAS meeting will be outlined. We report DEEP-South preliminary lightcurves of several dozens of NEAs obtained at three KMTNet stations during the first year runs. We also present a physical model of asteroid (5247) Krylov, the very first Non principal Axis (NPA) rotator that has been confirmed in the main belt (MB). A new asteroid taxonomic classification scheme will be introduced with an emphasis on its utility in the LSST era. The progress on the current version of automated mover detection software will also be summarized.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• 제44권1호
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• pp.65-65
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• 2019

Near-Earth objects consist of a mixture of bodies originated from outer solar system and main asteroidal belt, which are recognized as comets and near-Earth asteroids. In principal, they have orbits distinguishable by their orbital elements. It is, however, that some comets are recognized as asteroids because they could have lost the most of volatile materials in their subsurface layers. Due to their asteroidal appearances, it has been challenging to discriminate such dormant comets from a list of known asteroids. Here we propose to utilize polarimetric technique for finding such dormant comets. We thus conducted a polarimetric observations of three candidates of dormant comet nuclei, (331471) 1984 QY1, (3552) Don Quixote and (944) Hidalgo, by using the 1.6-m Pirka Telescope at the Nayoro observatory (operated by Hokkaido University, Japan). We selected these asteroids in comet-like orbits (ACOs) based on the orbital elements (i.e., the Tisserand parameter with respect to Jupiter TJ < 3). We found that 1984 QY1 has a polarimetric albedo (geometric albedo determined via polarimetry) pV = 0.16 +/- 0.06 while both Don Quixote and Hidalgo have Rc-band polarimetric albedos pR < 0.05. In accordance with the polarimetric result together with a dynamical analysis, we surmised that 1984 QY1 could be an S-type asteroid evolved into the current orbit via 3:1 mean motion resonance with Jupiter. On the contrary, the previous spectroscopic studies indicated that Don Quixote and Hidalgo are classified into D-type taxonomic group, which are typical of comet nuclei. In this presentation, we will introduce our polarimetric observations of ACOs and emphasize that polarimetry is powerful for discriminating the asteroidal and cometary origins.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• 제37권1호
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• pp.98.2-98.2
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• 2012

It has been speculated that there could be dormant or extinct comets in the list of known asteroids, which appear asteroidal but are icy bodies originating from outer solar system. However, little is known about the existence of such objects not only because of their complicated chaotic orbits but also because of the limited physical and chemical information. AKARI infrared space mission gave us brand-new albedo catalog of Near Earth Objects, which clues in a better understanding of dark asteroids using both albedo data and dynamical models could be possible. Dark Asteroids with low () albedos are thought to be dormant or extinct comet candidates due to its similar albedo values with comet nucleus. In addition to this, dynamical models indicate that candidate cometary objects have Tisserand parameter. Based on both observational and dynamical criteria, we obtained 196 dark asteroids lists. We numerically integrated backward their orbits using the N-body code Mercury6 (Chambers 1999) during 10 million years to track the past orbits of bodies. We picked out 14 comet candidates that show abnormal orbits in the past by analyzing orbital elements among 196 candidates. From the dynamical evolution simulations, we finally obtained 3 most-likely comet candidates; 944Hidalgo,2006QL39,andP/SidingSpring.Twoofthemareconsistent with past research; P/Siding Spring is a known comet and 944 Hidalgo is a most-likely comet candidate in asteroid populations. Since they all have stable orbits in nowadays although they have unstable orbit in the past, we could conclude that they may be not active comets but dormant or extinct comets.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• 제45권1호
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• pp.46.1-46.1
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• 2020

DEEP-South (DEep Ecliptic Patrol of the Southern Sky) team will start the 2nd phase of KMTNet observation in Oct 2020. The DEEP-South observation mainly consists of three survey modes: (1) Activity survey (AS) that aims at finding active phenomena of small Solar System bodies. (2) Light curve survey (LS) targets to discover and characterize light variations of asteroids. And (3) Deep drilling survey (DS) focuses on the objects beyond the orbit of Jupiter (Centaurus and trans-Neptunian objects) as well as near Earth asteroids. For asteroid family (AF) studies and target of opportunity (TO) observations for urgent photometric follow-up, targeted mode will also be used. DEEP-South team is awarded 7.0% of the telescope time at each site every year from Oct 2020 to Sep 2023 in the 2nd phase of KMTNet operation which corresponds to about 75 full nights a year for the network. In this presentation, we will introduce our survey strategy and observation plan.