• Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.129-138
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• 2006

A period study of the semi-detached eclipsing binary system W Delphini based on the extensive series of minimum timings covering more than a century(109 years) indicates a cyclic(O-C) variation of the system. This variation can be explained as due either to (1) stellar magnetic activity cycles of the cool subgiant G5 secondary component of the binary with a subsurface magnetic field equals to 3 kG, or (2) a long-term orbital period increases with a rate of $1.68{\times}10^{-8}$ day/cycle caused by a mass transfer rate of $4.9{\times}10^{-8}M_{\odot}yr^{-1}$ from the less to more massive component modulated by a light time effect due to a hypothetical third body with period of $53.4{\pm}1.06$ years. The former explanation is more recommended than the later one since the obtained third body mass value($M_3=1.58\;M_{\odot}$) is quite large but it can not manifest itself observationally and also it cannot be a white dwarf. In the contrary, from the magnetic activity point of view, the obtained characteristics are in good consistent when applying Applegate(1992) mechanism. However, further precise photometric and CCD observations for minima timings with brightness determinations are needed to confirm the present solution.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.43-48
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• 2013

The geomagnetic activity shows the semiannual variation stronger in vernal and autumnal equinoxes than in summer and winter solstices. The semiannual variation has been explained by three main hypotheses such as Axial hypothesis, Equinoctial hypothesis, and Russell-McPherron Effect. Many studies using the various geomagnetic indices have done to support three main hypotheses. In recent, Oh & Yi (2011) examined the solar magnetic polarity dependency of the geomagnetic storm occurrence defined by Dst index. They reported that there is no dependency of the semiannual variation on the sign of the solar polar fields. This study examines the solar magnetic polarity dependency of quiet time geomagnetic activity. Using Dxt index (Karinen & Mursula 2005) and Dcx index (Mursula & Karinen 2005) which are recently suggested, in addition to Dst index, we analyze the data of three-year at each solar minimum for eight solar cycles since 1932. As a result, the geomagnetic activity is stronger in the period that the solar magnetic polarity is anti-parallel with the Earth's magnetic polarity. There exists the difference between vernal and autumnal equinoxes regarding the solar magnetic polarity dependency. However, the difference is not statistically significant. Thus, we conclude that there is no solar magnetic polarity dependency of the semiannual variation for quiet time geomagnetic activity.

• Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.91-107
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• 1986

Making use of our extended version of $\ddot{O}pik's$ convection theory, we have calculated magnetic cycle periods of the sun and late type stars by using Parker's dynamo theory, where we have included the non-linear effect. We presented a relationship between the computed cycle period and spectral type to analyze observed magnetic activities of the late type stars and long-term luminosity variations. It is found that (1) the stellar magentic-cycle period increases towards the later spectral type, (2) the rapid rotation facilitates the activity-related luminosity variation of stars later than about K5, (3) differential rotation plays a critical role in determining the magnetic activity-cycle period, and (4) the non-local effect should be taken into account in order to understand the observed long-term luminosity variations.

• Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.201-211
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• 2010

We present an analysis of the measurements of mid-eclipse times of V839 Oph, collected from literature sources. Our analysis indicates a period increase of $3.2{\times}10^{-7}$ day/yr. This period increase of V839 Oph can be interpreted in terms of mass transfer of rate $1.76{\times}10^{-7}M_{\odot}/yr$, from the less to the more massive component. The O - C diagram shows a damping sine wave covering two different complete cycles of 36.73 yr and 19.93 yr with amplitudes approximately equal to 0.0080 and 0.0043 day, respectively. The third cycle has to be expected to cover about 13.5 years with lower amplitude than those of the former two cycles. These unequal duration cycles show a non periodicity which may be explained as resulting from either the presence of a tertiary component to the system or cyclic magnetic activity variations due to star spots. For the later mechanism, the obtained characteristics are consistent when applying Applegate (1992) mechanism.

• Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.97-108
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• 2011

The photometric light curves of the W-type W UMa eclipsing contact binary system BB Pegasi have been found to be extremely asymmetric over all the observed 63 years in all wavelengths UBVR. The light curves have been characterized by occultation primary minima. Hence, the morphology of these light curves has been studied in view of these different asymmetric degrees. The system shows a distinct O'Connell effect, as well as depth variation. A 22.96 years of stellar dark spots cycle has been determined for the system. Almost the same cycle (22.78 yr) has been found for the depth variation of MinI and MinII. We also present an analysis of mid-eclipse time measurements of BB Peg. The analysis indicates a period decrement of $5.62{\times}10^{-8}$ day/yr, which can be interpreted in terms of mass transfer at a rate of $-4.38{\times}10^{-8}M_{\odot}$/yr, from the more to the less massive component. The O - C diagram shows a damping sine wave covering two different cycles of 17.0 yr and 12.87 yr with amplitudes equal to 0.0071 and 0.0013 day, respectively. These unequal durations show a non-periodicity which may be explained as a result of magnetic activity cycling variations due to star spots. The obtained characteristics are consistent with similar chromospherically active stars, when applying the Applegate's (1992) mechanism.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.319-327
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• 2010

We examine the ionospheric F2-layer electron density variation by solar activity in middle latitude by using foF2 observed at the Kokubunji ionosonde station in Japan for the period from 1997 to 2008. The semi-annual variation of foF2 shows obviously in high solar activity (2000-2002) than low solar activity (2006-2008). It seems that variation of geomagnetic activity by solar activity influences on the semi-annual variation of the ionospheric F2-layer electron density. According to the Lomb-Scargle periodogram analysis of foF2 and Ap index, interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) Bs (IMF Bz <0) component, solar wind speed, solar wind number density and flow pressure which influence the geomagnetic activity, we examine how the geomagnetic activity affects the ionospheric F2-layer electron density variation. We find that the semi-annual variation of daily foF2, Ap index and IMF Bs appear clearly during the high solar activity. It suggests that the semi-annual variation of geomagnetic activity, caused by Russell-McPherron effect, contributes greatly to the ionospheric F2-layer semi-annual electron density variation, except dynamical effects in the thermosphere.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.101-106
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• 2013

The length of solar cycle 23 has been prolonged up to about 13 years. Many studies have speculated that the solar cycle 23/24 minimum will indicate the onset of a grand minimum of solar activity, such as the Maunder Minimum. We check the trends of solar (sunspot number, solar magnetic fields, total solar irradiance, solar radio flux, and frequency of solar X-ray flare), interplanetary (interplanetary magnetic field, solar wind and galactic cosmic ray intensity), and geomagnetic (Ap index) parameters (SIG parameters) during solar cycles 21-24. Most SIG parameters during the period of the solar cycle 23/24 minimum have remarkably low values. Since the 1970s, the space environment has been monitored by ground observatories and satellites. Such prevalently low values of SIG parameters have never been seen. We suggest that these unprecedented conditions of SIG parameters originate from the weakened solar magnetic fields. Meanwhile, the deep 23/24 solar cycle minimum might be the portent of a grand minimum in which the global mean temperature of the lower atmosphere is as low as in the period of Dalton or Maunder minimum.

• Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.99-104
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• 2014

We present the rst period variation study for the Algol eclipsing binary V346 Cyg by constructing the (O-C) residual diagram using all the available precise minima times. We conclude that the period variation can be explained by a sine-like variation due to the presence of a third body orbiting the binary in about $68.89{\pm}4.69$ years, together with a long-term orbital period decrease ($dP/dt=-1.23{\times}10^{-7}day/yr$) that can be interpreted to be due to slow mass loss from the ${\delta}$-Scuti primary component. The sinusoidal variation may also be explained by using the the Applegate (1992) mechanism involving cyclic magnetic activity due to star-spots on the secondary component. The present preliminary solution needs more precise photometric observations to be confirmed.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.231-239
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• 2013

To identify seasonal and latitudinal variations of F2 layer during magnetic storm, we examine the change of daily averages of foF2 observed at Kokubunji and Hobart during high (2000~2002) and low (2006~2008) solar activity intervals. It is found that geomagnetic activity has a different effect on the ionospheric F2-layer electron density variation for different seasons and different latitudes. We, thus, investigate how the change of geomagnetic activity affects the ionospheric F2-layer electron density with season and latitude. For this purpose, two magnetic storms occurred in equinox (31 March 2001) and solstice (20 November 2003) seasons are selected. Then we investigate foF2, which are observed at Kokubunji, Townsville, Brisbane, Canberra and Hobart, Dst index, Ap index, and AE index for the two magnetic storm periods. These observatories have similar geomagnetic longitude, but have different latitude. Furthermore, we investigate the relation between the foF2 and the [O]/[$N_2$] ratio and TEC variations during 19-22 November 2003 magnetic storm period. As a result, we find that the latitudinal variations of [O]/[$N_2$] ratio and TEC are closely related with the latitudinal variation of foF2. Therefore, we conclude that the seasonal and latitudinal variations of foF2 during magnetic storm are caused by the seasonal and latitudinal variations of mean meridional circulation of the thermosphere, particularly upwelling and downwelling of neutral atmosphere during magnetic storm.

• Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2015

The orbital period changes of the W UMa eclipsing binary AU Ser are studied using the (O-C) method. We conclude that the period variation is due to mass transfer from the primary star to the secondary one at a very low and decreasing rate $dP/dt=-8.872{\times}10^{-8}$, superimposed on the sinusoidal variation due to a third body orbiting the binary with period $42.87{\pm}3.16$ years, orbital eccentricity $e=0.52{\pm}0.12$ and a longitude of periastron passage ${\omega}=133^{\circ}.7{\pm}15$. On studying the magnetic activity, we have concluded that the Applegate mechanism failed to describe the cycling variation of the (O-C) diagram of AU Ser.