• Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.65-76
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• 2008

We have investigated the optical properties of the global haze on Titan from spectra recorded between 7100 and $9200{\AA}$, where $CH_4$ absorption bands of various intensities occur. The Titan spectra were obtained on Feb. 23, 2005 (UT), near the times of the Cassini T3 flyby and Huygens probe, using an optical echelle spectrograph (BOES) on the 1.8-m telescope at Bohyunsan Observatory in Korea. In order to derive the optical properties of the haze as a function of altitude, we developed an inversion radiative-transfer program using an atmospheric model of Titan and laboratory $CH_4$ absorption coefficients available from the literature. The derived extinction coefficients of the haze increase toward the surface, and the coefficients at shorter wavelengths are greater than those at longer wavelengths for the 30 - 120 km altitude range, indicating that the Titanian haze becomes optically thin toward the longer wavelength range. Total optical depths of the haze are estimated to be 1.4 and 1.2 for the 7270 - $7360{\AA}$ and 8940 - $9150{\AA}$ ranges, respectively. Based on the Huygens/DISR data set, Tomasko et al. (2005) reported total optical depths of 2.5 - 3.5 at $8290{\AA}$, depending on the assumed fractal aggregate particle model. The total optical depths based on our results are smaller than those of Tomasko et al., but they partially overlap with their results if we consider a large uncertainty from possible variations of the $CH_4$ mixing ratio over Titan's disk. We also derived the single scattering albedo of the haze particles as a function of altitude: it is less than 0.5 at altitudes higher than ${\sim}150\;km$, and approaches 1.0 toward the surface. This behavior suggests that, at altitudes above ${\sim}150\;km$, the average particle radius is smaller than the wavelengths, whereas near the surface, it becomes comparable or greater.

• Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.81-87
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• 2003

It is suggested that a flying-by star in a hot accretion disk may cool the hot accretion disk by the Comptonization of the stellar emission. Such a stellar cooling can be observed in the radio frequency regime since synchrotron luminosity depends strongly on the electron temperature of the accretion flow. If a bright star orbiting around the supermassive black hole cools the hot disk, one should expect a quasi-periodic modulation in radio, or even possible an anti-correlation of luminosities in radio and X-rays. Recently, the unprecedentedly accurate infrared imaging of the Sagittarius A$\ast$ for about ten years enables us to resolve stars around it and thus determine orbital parameters of the currently closest star S2. We explore the possibility of using such kind of observation to distinguish two quite different physical models for the central engine of the Sagittarius A$\ast$, that is, a hot accretion disk model and a jet model. We have attempted to estimate the observables using the observed parameters of the star S2. The relative difference in the electron temperature is a few parts of a thousand at the epoch when the star S2 is near at the pericenter. The relative radio luminosity difference with and without the stellar cooling is also small of order $10^{-4}$, particularly even when the star S2 is near at the pericenter. On the basis of our findings we tentatively conclude that even the currently closest pass of the star S2 is insufficiently close enough to meaningfully constrain the nature of the Sagittarius A$\ast$ and distinguish two competing models. This implies that even though Bower et al. (2002)have found no periodic radio flux variations in their data set from 1981 to 1998, which is naturally expected from the presence of a hot disk, a hot disk model cannot be conclusively ruled out. This is simply because the energy bands they have studied are too high to observe the effect of the star S2 even if it indeed interacts with the hot disk. In other words, even if there is a hot accretion disk the star like S2 has imprints in the frequency range at v $\le$ 100 MHz.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.207.1-207.1
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• 2012

One of the key aspects of the upcoming Ultra-Fast Observatory (UFFO) Pathfinder for Gamma-Ray Bursts(GRBs) identification will be the UFFO Burst Alert & Trigger Telescope(UBAT), based on a novel space telescope technique. The UBAT consists of coded mask, hopper, and detector module(DM). The UBAT DM consists of YSO crystal arrays, multi-anode photo mulipliers, and readout electronics. We will present the design and construction of the UBAT DM, and the response of the UBAT DM to X-ray sources.

• Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.263-275
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• 2023

The Sun-Earth Lagrange point L4 is considered as one of the unique places where the solar activity and heliospheric environment can be observed in a continuous and comprehensive manner. The L4 mission affords a clear and wide-angle view of the Sun-Earth line for the study of the Sun-Earth and Sun-Moon connections from he perspective of remote-sensing observations. In-situ measurements of the solar radiation, solar wind, and heliospheric magnetic field are critical components necessary for monitoring and forecasting the radiation environment as it relates to the issue of safe human exploration of the Moon and Mars. A dust detector on the ram side of the spacecraft allows for an unprecedented detection of local dust and its interactions with the heliosphere. The purpose of the present paper is to emphasize the importance of L4 observations as well as to outline a strategy for the planned L4 mission with remote and in-situ payloads onboard a Korean spacecraft. It is expected that the Korean L4 mission can significantly contribute to improving the space weather forecasting capability by enhancing the understanding of heliosphere through comprehensive and coordinated observations of the heliosphere at multi-points with other existing or planned L1 and L5 missions.

• Journal of the Korean Solar Energy Society
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.98-107
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• 2010

This paper introduces step by step procedures for the design, fabrication and operation of a solar tracking system. The system presented in this study consists of motion controllers, motor drives, step-motors, feedback devices and other accessories to support its functional stability. CdS sensors are used to constantly generate feedback signals to the controller, which assures a high-precision solar tracking even under adverse conditions. It enables instant correction if the system goes off track by strong winds causing gear backlash. A parabolic dish concentrator is mounted on the tracking system whose diameter was 30cm. The solar position data, in terms of azimuth and elevation, sunrise and sunset times were compared with those of the Astronomical Applications Department of the U.S. Naval Observatory. The results presented here clearly demonstrate the high-accuracy of the present system in solar tracking, which are applicable to many existing solar systems.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.493-504
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• 2004

The history books of East Asia about astronomical phenomena have the more records of the solar eclipse frequently than any other ones. It is because traditionally, the solar eclipse moaned the fate of dynasty and the king's rule. The Sun, the biggest thing in the heaven symbolized the king, and the solar eclipse foresaw that the king had the problem in private including the body, and the country might suffer from difficulties in a great scale. So the king and all of the ministers used to gather to hold a ceremony named Gusikrye(구식례) which solar eclipse may pass safely. Consequently, kings always had concernments on collecting informations of solar eclipse. Inspite of importance of solar eclipse predictions, but at the beginning of the Choseon, the predictions of the solar eclipse didn't fit. King Sejong compiled the Chiljeongsan-naepion (칠정산내편) and the Chiljeongsan-oepyeon(칠정산외편) to calculate the celestial phenomena including the solar eclipse. By the publications of these two books, the calendar making system of Choseon was firmly established. The Chiljeongsan-oepyeon adopted Huihui calendar(회회력) of Arabia. The Solar eclipse predictions of Chiljeongsan-oepyeon were relative correct compared to modern method in early Choseon dynasty.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.223-232
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• 2005

New BVR CCD light curves of the low mass ratio contact binaries, V410 Aur and V776 Cas, were observed with the 61 cm reflector and a 2K CCD camera at the Sobaeksan Astronomical Observatory. The absolute dimensions of the low mass ratio contact binaries, V410 Aur and V776 Cas, were obtained using WD program from the published spectroscopic and newly observed photometric data. The evolutionary status of this type of binary system including V410 Aur and V776 Cas has been considered. We reconfirmed that the primary stars of the low mass contact binary system were located on the TAMS and secondary stars were located under the ZAMS in H-R diagram.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.491-496
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• 2007

We performed R band time-series CCD photometric observations of the 55 Pandora for 2 nights using the 0.6 m telescope equipped with 2K CCD camera at SOAO (Sobaeksan Optical Astronomical Observatory). From the observation we determined its rotation period $P=0.^d2007=4.^h8168$, and maximum amplitude $0.281\;{\pm}\;0.001$. We also derived the pole position ${\lambda}_p(^o)=342$, ${\beta}_p(^o)=64$, and the shape parameter a/b = 1.27, b/c = 1.31 by applying Amplitude-Magnitude method.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.443-451
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• 2005

This study was designed to investigate children's response types, which are always consistent when they meet with different evidence materials. The participants in this study were 119 students of 6th grade in elementary school, who were acquainted with evidence materials presented and able to state logically. Evidence materials were constructed on the main subjects of a cause of the dinosaur extermination and a purpose of the astronomical observatory establishment. The criteria, 'whether or not believe evidence materials presented', 'whether or not believe evidence materials newly presented', 'where or not decrease their belief in the preinstructional evidence materials', and 'whether or not change their belief' were used to classify the type of their responses. So the students' responses to the evidence materials were classified into low types: rejection, reinterpretation, belief decrease, and valuation by evidences. Only about a third of them was also consistent with response types, but the others showed individually different responses to new evidence materials. The types of belief decrease and valuation by evidences were relatively below, while those of the rejection and reinterpretation were likely to represent them again, and these results did not reflect a meaningful difference between male and female. These results show that children's response type are not always coherent, and that they respond variously according to the evidence materials except for an individual cognitive view and a background in estimating evidence materials, and most of them are contents dependent in evaluating evidences. Therefore we are expected to apply it to studies on a thought process of the student as data on the basis of them and develop more various evidence materials responded by basis on evidence.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Navigation and Port Research Conference
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• v.2
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• pp.181-184
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• 2006

Knowledge of the ionospheric peak parameter foF2 (the critical frequency of F2 layer) is one of key essential factors for predicting ionospheric characteristics and delay correction of satellite positioning. However, the foF2 was almost estimated using an empirical model of International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) or other expensive observing techniques, such as ionosondes and scatter radar. In this paper, the ionospheric peak parameter foF2 is the first observed by ground-based GPS with all weather, low-cost and near real time properties. Compared with the IRI-2001 and independent ionosondes at or near the GPS receiver stations, the foF2 obtained from ground-based GPS is in better agreement, but closer to the ionosonde. However, during nighttime, the IRI model overestimated the GPS observed values during winter and equinox months.Furthermore, seasonal variation trend of the foF2 in 2003 is studied using foF2 monthly median hourly data measured over South Korea. It has shown that the systematic diurnal changes of foF2 are apparent in each season and the higher values of foF2 are observed during the equinoxes (semiannual anomaly) as well as in mid-daytime of each season.