• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.108.2-108.2
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• 2012

Recent results from microlensing surveys show that a free-floating planet or a wide-separation planet is more numerous than a main-sequence star in the Galaxy. Moreover, the detection efficiency of the planets will be improved in next-generation experiments with a high survey monitoring frequency. However, microlensing events produced by both planets appear similar light curves with a short duration timescale, thus it is difficult to distinguish them. In this paper, we investigated the detectable separation range of a wide-separation planet as the planet bound to its host star. We construct the fractional deviation maps using the magnifications of the planetary lensing and the single-lensing by planet itself for various parameters such as a mass ratio, separation, and source radius. As a result, we found that the pattern of the fractional deviation is related to the ratio of source radius to caustic size, and the ratio satisfying the detection criterion (i.e., ${\geq}5%$ in the fractional deviation) varies with a separation. Hence, we derived a fitting formula as the function of a mass ratio and a source radius to reflect the variation in the calculations of the detectable separation range of a wide-separation planet as the planet bound to its host star. In addition, we estimated the condition that a wide-separation planet can be detected as a single-lensing event under the finite source effect. We found that such a case is possible provided that the source radius is smaller than ~2.5 times of Einstein ring radius of a planet, regardless of a separation or a mass ratio.

• Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.71-82
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• 2019

We derive the geometric albedo of a near-Earth asteroid, (4179) Toutatis, to investigate its surface physical conditions. The asteroid has been studied rigorously not only via ground-based photometric, spectrometric, polarimetric, and radar observations but also via in situ observation by the Chinese Chang'e-2 space probe; however, its geometric albedo is not well understood. We conducted V-band photometric observations when the asteroid was at opposition in April 2018 using the three telescopes in the southern hemisphere that compose the Korea Microlensing Telescope Network (KMTNet). The observed time-variable cross section was corrected using the radar shape model. We find that Toutatis has a geometric albedo $p_V=0.185^{+0.045}_{-0.039}$, which is typical of S-type asteroids. We compare the geometric albedo with archival polarimetric data and further find that the polarimetric slope-albedo law provides a reliable estimate for the albedo of this S-type asteroid. The thermal infrared observation also produced similar results if the size of the asteroid is updated to match the results from Chang'e-2. We conjecture that the surface of Toutatis is covered with grains smaller than that of the near-Sun asteroids including (1566) Icarus and (3200) Phaethon.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.67-77
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• 2022

The elements that impact the dynamics and collaborations of waves and particles in the magnetosphere of planets have been considered here. Saturn's internal magnetosphere is determined by substantiated instabilities and discovered to be an exceptional zone of wave activity. Interchanged instability is found to be one of the responsible events in view of temperature anisotropy and energization processes of magnetospheric species. The generated active ions alongside electrons that constitute the populations of highly magnetized planets like Saturn's ring electron current are taken into consideration in the current framework. The previous and similar method of characteristics and the perturbed distribution function have been used to derive dispersion relation. In incorporating this investigation, the characteristics of electromagnetic ion cyclotron wave (EMIC) waves are determined by the composition of ions in plasmas through which the waves propagate. The effect of ring distribution illustrates non-monotonous description on growth rate (GR) depending upon plasma parameters picked out. Observations made by Cassini found appropriate for modern study, have been applied to the Kronian magnetosphere. Using Maxwellian ring distribution function of ions and detailed mathematical formulation, an expression for dispersion relation as well as GR and real frequency (RF) are evaluated. Analysis of plasma parameters shows that, proliferating EMIC waves are not developed much when propagation is parallelly aligned with magnetosphere as compared to waves propagating in oblique direction. GR for the oblique case, is influenced by temperature anisotropy as well as by alternating current (AC) frequency, whereas it is much affected only by AC frequency for parallel propagating waves.

• Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.111-121
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• 2022

Based on the light an exoplanet blocks from its host star as it passes in front of it during a transit, the mid-transit time can be determined. Periodic variations in mid-transit times can indicate another planet's gravitational influence. We investigate 83 transits of TrES-1 b as observed from 6-inch telescopes in the MicroObservatory robotic telescope network. The EXOTIC data reduction pipeline is used to process these transits, fit transit models to light curves, and calculate transit midpoints. This paper details the methodology for analyzing transit timing variations (TTVs) and using transit measurements to maintain ephemerides. The application of Lomb-Scargle period analysis for studying the plausibility of TTVs is explained. The analysis of the resultant TTVs from 46 transits from MicroObservatory and 47 transits from archival data in the Exoplanet Transit Database indicated the possible existence of other planets affecting the orbit of TrES-1 and improved the precision of the ephemeris by one order of magnitude. We now estimate the ephemeris to be (2 455 489.66026 BJD_TDB ± 0.00044 d) + (3.0300689 ± 0.0000007) d × epoch. This analysis also demonstrates the role of small telescopes in making precise midtransit time measurements, which can be used to help maintain ephemerides and perform TTV analysis. The maintenance of ephemerides allows for an increased ability to optimize telescope time on large ground-based telescopes and space telescope missions.

• Publications of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.59-79
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• 2022

We investigated the records of astronomical phenomena in the Hyeonjong-Donggung-Ilgi written by the educational office for a crown prince, Sigang-won, during the time of a crown prince of the king Hyeonjong (i.e., from 1649 to 1659). Of the total of 3,625 days, 3,044 astronomical accounts were compiled from astronomical records of 2,003 days. We classified these astronomical accounts into 16 items, grouped into five categories, and statistically analyzed each group. In our analysis, the accounts for atmos-pheric optical phenomena equates to 57.9% of the total, and for celestial phenomena visible during the daytime the percentage is 17.3%. The records related to the approach between two objects such as planets, moon, and stars account for 3.3%, and solar or lunar eclipses take up 0.6%. The ratio of accounts regarding meteor, comet, and fire light (火光) stand at 13.8%, 0.30%, and 6.8%, respectively. Sunny days account for 71.1% of all days per year during this period. We determined that the distribution of the fire light by month is similar to that of the solar halo. We also found that the astronomical records from the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty correspond to only 30% of those of the Hyeonjong-Donggung-Ilgi for the same period. In particular, the phenomena of celestial objects occurring outside the atmosphere are transmitted to the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty in a higher proportion than the phenomena inside the air. It is therefore necessary to use a historical diary like a Donggung-Ilgi to interpret the phenomena in the air such as atmospheric optical events, meteor, and fire light.

• Coupled systems mechanics
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• v.7 no.5
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• pp.611-626
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• 2018

We theoretically consider a possible influence of periodic oceanic tides on non-periodic changes in the dynamics of the Earth and Moon over a long time scale. A particular emphasis will be placed on the contribution from rotating tidal waves, which rotate along the inner edge of an oceanic basin surrounded by topographic boundary. We formulate the angular momentum and the mechanical energy of the rotating tidal wave in terms of celestial parameters with regard to the Earth and Moon. The obtained formula are used to discuss how the energy dissipation in the rotating tidal wave should be relevant to the secular variation in the Earth's spin rotation and the Earth-Moon distance. We also discuss the applicability of the formula to general oceanic binary planets subject to tidal coupling.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.45.2-45.2
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• 2015

It is obvious that there are plentiful of dust particles in the interplanetary spaces of the Solar System (IDPs), based on micrometeor craters, zodiacal light and direct measurements on the spacecraft. Because of photon drag and planetary perturbations, these particles are continuously falling to the Sun or planets, therefore continuous source of the IDPs are required. We studied the fractional contribution of each type of solar system objects to the IDPs complex through the optical properties of the potential dust sources and the zodiacal light. We found that more than 90% of the IDPs are originated from cometary nuclei. This result is discussed through the comparison with the dynamic simulation, micrometeors mineralogy and near-infrared spectrum of the zodiacal light. In addition, we introduce our new project on the numerical simulation for the dust particles ejected from the cometary nuclei, to verify the conclusion of dominant cometary contribution and its detailed consequences.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.78.2-78.2
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• 2013

외계행성 연구는 외계생명체 발견과 밀접한 관계가 있으므로 선진국에서는 국가중점연구로 지정하여 연구에 집중하고 있는 기초학문 연구분야다. 기초학문 연구분야이다. 외계행성 연구는 현재까지 발견을 위주로 행해져 왔고, 그 결과 수백 개의 외계행성이 발견되는 성과를 얻을 수 있었다. 최근에는 지구의 크기와 온도에 근접하는 외계행성이 발견이 언론에 소개 되기도 하였다. 외계행성의 분광 연구는 지금까지 그 밝기가 아주 어두운 관계로 Broad band 관측이 주로 행해졌다 (e.g., Swain et al. 2010). 그러나 최근 3-m급 망원경과 중분산 분광기를 사용한 연구에서 구체적인 적외선 분광구조가 드러나게 되었다 (e.g., Waldmann et al. 2012). 따라서 앞으로 GMT의 분광기를 사용하여 상당히 구체적인 분광구조 관측이 가능하리라고 예측 할 수 있게되었다. 이번 발표에서는 GMT분광기들을 사용한 외계행성 적외선 분광 연구를 원활히 수행하기 위한 준비 단계로 태양계 행성에 대한 국내외 적외선 분광 연구 현황을 논의 하고자 한다.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.100.2-100.2
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• 2013

외계행성 탐색은 현재 천문학계에서 가장 활발하게 진행되고 있는 연구 분야들 중 하나이며 우리나라에서도 외계행성 탐색을 위한 KMTNet 프로젝트가 진행되고 있다. 외계행성 발견에 대한 소식은 언론에 자주 등장하며 일반인들도 많은 관심을 보이지만 구체적인 내용에 대한 이해는 매우 낮은 현실이다. 외계행성 탐색은 비교적 최근에 등장한 분야라 일선 학교나 일반인 대상 천문시설에서 교육프로그램으로 제대로 자리 잡지 못하고 있기도 하다. 그러므로 외계행성 탐색과 관련된 올바른 교육을 위해서 적합한 교재와 교육프로그램이 필요하다. 본 연구에서는 외계행성 탐색에 대한 교육을 위한 교재와 교육프로그램 개발 과정을 소개한다. 더불어 KMTNet과 KGMT와 같은 대형 천문 관련 프로젝트들에 대한 적절한 대국민 홍보 방안을 제안한다.

• Publications of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.55-57
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• 2017

Presently, the number of known asteroids is more than 710,000. Knowledge of size and albedo is essential in many aspects of asteroid research, such as the chemical composition and mineralogy, the size-frequency distribution of dynamical families, and the relationship between small bodies in the outer solar system or comets. Recently, based on the infrared all-sky survey data obtained by IRAS, AKARI, and WISE, the large asteroid catalogs containing size and albedo data have been constructed. In this paper, we discuss the compositional distribution in the main belt regions based on the compiled data on size, albedo, and separately obtained taxonomic type information.