• Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.147-152
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• 2014

We present measurements of the Fe $K{\alpha}$ emission line of the intermediate polar V1223 Sagittarii observed with the Suzaku satellite. The spectrum is modeled with an absorbed thermal bremsstrahlung spectrum and three Gaussians for the three components of the Fe $K{\alpha}$ lines. We resolve the neutral or low-ionized (6.41keV), He-like (6.70keV), and H-like (7.00keV) iron lines. We also obtain a thermal continuum temperature of 25 keV, which supports a thermal origin of the hard X-rays observed from the shock heated layers of gas between the white dwarf and the shock front. Hence, we believe that the He-like and H-like lines are from the collisional plasma. On the origin of the Fe $K{\alpha}$ fluorescence line, we find that it could be partly from reflections of hard X-rays from the white dwarf surface and the $N_H$ absorption columns. We also discuss the Fe $K{\alpha}$ emission line as veritable tool for the probe of some astrophysical sites.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.181-189
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• 2012

To broaden the understanding of classical Cepheid structure, evolution and atmospheres, we have extended our continuing secret lives of Cepheids program by obtaining XMM/Chandra X-ray observations, and Hubble space telescope (HST) / cosmic origins spectrograph (COS) FUV-UV spectra of the bright, nearby Cepheids Polaris, ${\delta}$ Cep and ${\beta}$ Dor. Previous studies made with the international ultraviolet explorer (IUE) showed a limited number of UV emission lines in Cepheids. The well-known problem presented by scattered light contamination in IUE spectra for bright stars, along with the excellent sensitivity & resolution combination offered by HST/COS, motivated this study, and the spectra obtained were much more rich and complex than we had ever anticipated. Numerous emission lines, indicating $10^4$ K up to ${\sim}3{\times}10^5$ K plasmas, have been observed, showing Cepheids to have complex, dynamic outer atmospheres that also vary with the photospheric pulsation period. The FUV line emissions peak in the phase range ${\varphi}{\approx}0.8-1.0$ and vary by factors as large as $10{\times}$. A more complete picture of Cepheid outer atmospheres is accomplished when the HST/COS results are combined with X-ray observations that we have obtained of the same stars with XMM-Newton & Chandra. The Cepheids detected to date have X-ray luminosities of log $L_X{\approx}28.5-29.1$ ergs/sec, and plasma temperatures in the $2-8{\times}106$ K range. Given the phase-timing of the enhanced emissions, the most plausible explanation is the formation of a pulsation-induced shocks that excite (and heat) the atmospheric plasmas surrounding the photosphere. A pulsation-driven ${\alpha}^2$ equivalent dynamo mechanism is also a viable and interesting alternative. However, the tight phase-space of enhanced emission (peaking near 0.8-1.0 ${\varphi}$) favor the shock heating mechanism hypothesis.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.127-132
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• 2013

Here we review the effort of Fermi Asian Network (FAN) in exploring the supernova remnants (SNRs) with state-of-art high energy observatories, including Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope and Chandra X-ray Observatory, in the period of 2011- 2012. Utilizing the data from Fermi LAT, we have discovered the GeV emission at the position of the Galactic SNR Kes 17 which provides evidence for the hadronic acceleration. Our study also sheds light on the propagation of cosmic rays from their acceleration site to the intersteller medium. We have also launched an identification campaign of SNR candidates in the Milky Way, in which a new SNR G308.3-1.4 have been uncovered with our Chandra observation. Apart from the remnant, we have also discovered an associated compact object at its center. The multiwavelength properties of this X-ray source suggest it can possibly be the compact binary that survived a supernova explosion.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.53.3-54
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• 2015

We are developing large arrays of X-ray microcalorimeters for applications in X-ray astronomy. X-ray microcalorimeters can detect the energy of X-rays with extremely high resolution. High-resolution Imaging spectroscopy enabled by these arrays will allow us to study the hot and energetic nature of the Universe through the detection of X-rays from astronomical objects such as neutron stars or black holes. I will introduce the state-of-the-art X-ray microcalorimeters being developed at NASA/GSFC and the future X-ray observatory missions based on microcalorimeters.

• Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2021

We report X-ray timing and spectral properties of the pulsar PSR J0205+6449 measured using NuSTAR and Chandra observatories. We measure the pulsar's rotation frequency ν = 15.20102357(9) s-1 and its derivative $\dot{\nu}=-4.5(1){\times}10^{-11}\;s^{-2}$ during the observation period, and model the 2-30 keV on-pulse spectrum of the pulsar with a power law having a photon index Γpsr = 1.07 ± 0.16 and a 2-30 keV flux F2-30 keV = 7.3±0.6 × 10-13 erg cm-2 s-1. The Chandra 0.5-10 keV data are analyzed for an investigation of the pulsar's thermal emission properties. We use thermal and non-thermal emission models to fit the Chandra spectra and infer the surface temperature T∞ and luminosity Lth of the neutron star to be T∞ = 0.5 - 0.8 MK and Lth = 1 - 5 × 1032 erg s-1. This agrees with previous results which indicated that PSR J0205+6449 has a low surface temperature and luminosity for its age of 800-5600 yrs.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.51-55
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• 2012

A few high-mass X-ray binaries-consisting of an OB star plus compact companion-have been observed by Fermi and ground-based Cerenkov telescopes like High Energy Stereoscopic System (HESS) to be sources of very high energy (VHE; up to 30 TeV) ${\gamma}$-rays. This paper focuses on the prominent ${\gamma}$-ray source, LS 5039, which consists of a massive O6.5V star in a 3.9-day-period, mildly elliptical ($e{\approx}0.24$) orbit with its companion, assumed here to be an unmagnetized compact object (e.g., black hole). Using three dimensional smoothed particle hydrodynamics simulations of the Bondi-Hoyle accretion of the O-star wind onto the companion, we find that the orbital phase variation of the accretion follows very closely the simple Bondi-Hoyle-Lyttleton (BHL) rate for the local radius and wind speed. Moreover, a simple model, wherein intrinsic emission of ${\gamma}$-rays is assumed to track this accretion rate, reproduces quite well Fermi observations of the phase variation of ${\gamma}$-rays in the energy range 0.1-10 GeV. However for the VHE (0.1-30 TeV) radiation observed by the HESS Cerenkov telescope, it is important to account also for photon-photon interactions between the ${\gamma}$-rays and the stellar optical/UV radiation, which effectively attenuates much of the strong emission near periastron. When this is included, we find that this simple BHL accretion model also quite naturally fits the HESS light curve, thus making it a strong alternative to the pulsar-wind-shock models commonly invoked to explain such VHE ${\gamma}$-ray emission in massive-star binaries.

• Publications of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.559-563
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• 2015

Monitor of All-sky X-ray Image (MAXI) is a Japanese X-ray all-sky surveyer mounted on the International Space Station (ISS). It has been scanning the whole sky since 2009 during every 92-minute ISS rotation. X-ray transients are quickly found by the real-time nova-search program. As a result, MAXI has issued 133 Astronomer's Telegrams and 44 Gamma-ray burst Coordinated Networks so far. MAXI has discovered six new black holes (BH) in 4.5 years. Long-term behaviors of the MAXI BHs can be classified into two types by their outbursts; a fast-rise exponential-decay type and a fast-rise flat-top one. The slit camera is suitable for accumulating data over a long time. MAXI issued a 37-month catalog containing 500 sources above a ~0.6 mCrab detection limit at 4-10 keV in the region ${\mid}{b}{\mid}$ > $10^{\circ}$. The SSC instrument utilizing an X-ray CCD has detected diffuse soft X-rays extending over a large solid angle, such as the Cygnus super bubble. MAXI/SSC has also detcted a Ne emission line from the rapid soft X-ray nova MAXI J0158-744. The overall shapes of outbursts in Be X-ray binaries (BeXRB) are precisely observed with MAXI/GSC. BeXRB have two kinds of outbursts, a normal outburst and a giant one. The peak dates of the subsequent giant outbursts of A0535+26 repeated with a different period than the orbital one. The Be stellar disk is considered to either have a precession motion or a distorted shape. The long-term behaviors of low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXB) containing weakly magnetized neutron stars are investigated. Transient LMXBs (Aql X-1 and 4U 1608-52) repeated outbursts every 200-1000 days, which is understood by the limit-cycle of hydrogen ionization states in the outer accretion disk. A third state (very dim state) in Aql X-1 and 4U 1608-52 was interpreted as the propeller effect in the unified picture of LMXB. Cir X-1 is a peculiar source in the sense that its long-term behavior is not like typical LMXBs. The luminosity sometimes decreases suddenly at periastron. It might be explained by the stripping of the outer accretion disk by a clumpy stellar wind. MAXI observed 64 large flares from 22 active stars (RS CVns, dMe stars, Argol types, young stellar objects) over 4 years. The total energies are $10^{34}-10^{36}$ erg $s^{-1}$. Since MAXI can measure the spectrum (temperature and emission measure), we can estimate the size of the plasma and the magnetic fields. The size sometimes exceeds the size of the star. The magnetic field is in the range of 10-100 gauss, which is a typical value for solar flares.

• Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.41-57
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• 2023

We measured temporal and emission properties of quiescent magnetars using archival Chandra and XMM-Newton data, produced a list of the properties for 17 magnetars, and revisited previously suggested correlations between the properties. Our studies carried out with a larger sample, better spectral characterizations, and more thorough analyses not only confirmed previously-suggested correlations but also found new ones. The observed correlations differ from those seen in other neutron-star populations but generally accord with magnetar models. Specifically, the trends of the intriguing correlations of blackbody luminosity (L_BB) with the spin-inferred dipole magnetic field strength (B_S) and characteristic age (τ_c) were measured to be L_BB ∝ B^1.5_S and L_BB ∝ τ^-0.6_c, supporting the twisted magnetosphere and magnetothermal evolution models for magnetars. We report the analysis results and discuss our findings in the context of magnetar models.

• Publications of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.599-601
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• 2015

The short time scale X-ray variability associated with the accretion disk around compact objects is complex and is vaguely understood. The study of the cross correlation function gives an insight into the energy dependent behavior of the variations and hence connected processes. Using high resolution RXTE data, we investigate the dynamical cross correlation function of an observation of a black hole source XTE J1550-564 in the steep power law state. The cross correlation between soft and hard X- ray energy bands revealed both correlated and anti-correlated delays (${\leq}{\pm}15s$) on a correlation time scale of 50 s. It was noticed that the observed delays were similar to the delays between X-ray and optical/IR bands in other black hole and neutron star sources. We discuss the possible mechanisms/processes to explain the observed delays in the dynamical CCF.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.83-85
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• 2013

Anomalous X-ray pulsars (AXPs) are thought to be magnetars which are young isolated neutron stars with extremely strong magnetic fields of > $10^{14}$ Gauss. Their tremendous magnetic fields inferred from the spin parameters provide a huge energy reservoir to power the observed X-ray emission. High-energy emission above 0.3 MeV has never been detected despite intensive search. Here, we present the possible Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) detection of ${\gamma}$-ray pulsations above 200 MeV from the AXP, 1E 2259+586, which puts the current theoretical models of ${\gamma}$-ray emission mechanisms of magnetars into challenge. We speculate that the high-energy ${\gamma}$-rays originate from the outer magnetosphere of the magnetar.