• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.201-207
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• 2015

An algorithm to automatically extract coordinate and time information from optical observation data of geostationary orbit satellites (GEO satellites) or geosynchronous orbit satellites (GOS satellites) is developed. The optical wide-field patrol system is capable of automatic observation using a pre-arranged schedule. Therefore, if this type of automatic analysis algorithm is available, daily unmanned monitoring of GEO satellites can be possible. For data acquisition for development, the COMS1 satellite was observed with 1-s exposure time and 1-m interval. The images were grouped and processed in terms of "action", and each action was composed of six or nine successive images. First, a reference image with the best quality in one action was selected. Next, the rest of the images in the action were geometrically transformed to fit in the horizontal coordinate system (expressed in azimuthal angle and elevation) of the reference image. Then, these images were median-combined to retain only the possible non-moving GEO candidates. By reverting the coordinate transformation of the positions of these GEO satellite candidates, the final coordinates could be calculated.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.221-227
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• 2016

As described in the previous paper (Park et al. 2013), the detector subsystem of optical wide-field patrol (OWL) provides many observational data points of a single artificial satellite or space debris in the form of small streaks, using a chopper system and a time tagger. The position and the corresponding time data are matched assuming that the length of a streak on the CCD frame is proportional to the time duration of the exposure during which the chopper blades do not obscure the CCD window. In the previous study, however, the length was measured using the diagonal of the rectangle of the image area containing the streak; the results were quite ambiguous and inaccurate, allowing possible matching error of positions and time data. Furthermore, because only one (position, time) data point is created from one streak, the efficiency of the observation decreases. To define the length of a streak correctly, it is important to locate the endpoints of a streak. In this paper, a method using a differential convolution mask pattern is tested. This method can be used to obtain the positions where the pixel values are changed sharply. These endpoints can be regarded as directly detected positional data, and the number of data points is doubled by this result.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.345-348
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• 2016

In December 2015, we have installed neutron monitor at the Jang Bogo station in Antarctica. The Jang Bogo station is the second science station which is located at the coast ($74^{\circ}\;37.4^{\prime}S$, $164^{\circ}\;13.7^{\prime}E$) of Terra Nova Bay in Northern Victoria Land of Antarctica. A neutron monitor is an instrument to detect neutrons from secondary cosmic rays collided by the atmosphere. The installation of neutron monitor at Jang Bogo station is a part of transferred mission for neutron monitor at McMurdo station of USA. Among 18 tubes of 18-NM64 neutron monitor, we have completed relocation of 6 tubes and the rest will be transferred in December 2017. Currently, comparison of data from both neutron monitors is under way and there is a good agreement between the data. The neutron monitor at Jang Bogo station will be quite useful to study the space weather when the installation is completed.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.11-15
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• 2013

A collision-free formation reconfiguration trajectory subject to the linearized Hill's dynamics of relative motion is analytically developed by extending an algorithm for gravity-free space. Based on the initial solution without collision avoidance constraints, the final solution to minimize the designated performance index and avoid collision is found, based on a gradient method. Simple simulations confirm that satellites reconfigure their positions along the safe trajectories, while trying to spend minimum energies. The algorithm is applicable to wide range of formation flying under the Hill's dynamics.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.295-304
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• 2016

The atmosphere strongly affects the Earth's spin rotation in wide range of timescale from daily to annual. Its dominant role in the seasonal perturbations of both the pole position and spinning rate of the Earth is once again confirmed by a comparison of two recent data sets; i) the Earth orientation parameter and ii) the global atmospheric state. The atmospheric semi-diurnal tide has been known to be a source of the Earth's spin acceleration, and its magnitude is re-estimated by using an enhanced formulation and an up-dated empirical atmospheric S2 tide model. During the last twenty years, an unusual eastward drift of the Earth's pole has been observed. The change in the Earth's inertia tensor due to glacier mass redistribution is directly assessed, and the recent eastward movement of the pole is ascribed to this change. Furthermore, the associated changes in the length of day and UT1 are estimated.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.239-244
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• 2010

A simulation for the design of a $90^{\circ}$ differential phase shifter aimed toward Korean VLBI Network (KVN) 129 GHz band polarizer is described in this paper. A dual-circular polarizer for KVN 129 GHz band consists of a $90^{\circ}$ differential phase shifter and an orthomode transducer. The differential phase shifter is made up of a square waveguide with two opposite walls loaded with corrugations. Three-dimensional electromagnetic simulation has been performed to predict the $90^{\circ}$ differential phase shifter's characteristics. The simulation for the differential phase shifter shows that the phase shift is $90^{\circ}{\pm}3.3^{\circ}$ across 108-160 GHz and the return losses of two orthogonal modes are better than -30 dB within the design frequency band. According to the simulation results the calculated performance is quite encouraging for KVN 129 GHz band application.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.143-153
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• 2011

The sundials produced in King Sejong era had the functions of accurate observation instruments and were fabricated in various forms such as Angbuilgu (hemispherical sundial). In this study, we investigated the literature, structural characteristics and principles of Hyeonjuilgu, Cheonpyeongilgu and Jeongnamilgu that were developed in Joseon to have the unique structures. Additionally, the sundials were reviewed in the perspective of technical history by comparing them with the sundials of China. For the restoration of the sundials, we identified the principle in which the light spots and shade of the sun were used, and drew the variations of the altitude and azimuth by the yearly motion of the sun on the Siban on the hemispheric and flat surfaces. Based on these results, we completed the design drawings of the three sundials and proposed the restoration models.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.105-115
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• 2020

The Korean Institute of Technology Satellite (KITSAT-1) is the first satellite developed by the Satellite Technology Research Center and the University of Surrey. KITSAT-1 is orbiting the Earth's orbit as space debris with a 1,320 km altitude after the planned mission. Due to its relatively small size and altitude, tracking the KITSAT-1 was a difficult task. In this research, we analyzed the tracking results of KITSAT-1 for one year using the Midland Space Radar (MSR) in Texas and the Poker Flat Incoherent Scatter Radar (PFISR) in Alaska operated by LeoLabs, Inc. The tracking results were analyzed on a weekly basis for MSR and PFISR. The observation was conducted by using both stations at an average frequency of 10 times per week. The overall corrected range measurements for MSR and PFISR by LeoLabs were under 50 m and 25 m, respectively. The ionospheric delay, the dominant error source, was confirmed with the International Reference of Ionosphere-16 model and Global Navigation Satellite System data. The weekly basis orbit determination results were compared with two-line element data. The comparison results were used to confirm the orbital consistency of the estimated orbits.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.279-288
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• 2010

To study properties of the pulsation in the infrared emission for long period variables, we have collected and analyzed the infrared observational data at M band for 12 OH/IR stars. We present the light curves using the data that cover about 30 years including recent observations of ISO and Spitzer. We use Marquardt-Levenberg algorithm to determine the pulsation periods and amplitudes and compare them with previous results of infrared and radio investigations. Generally, the newly determined pulsation parameters show much less errors because of the larger database. We find that the relationship between the pulsation period and amplitudes at M band is fairly well fitted with a simple linear equation in a wide period range. For OH 42.3-0.1, we find some evidences that the object could be a post-asymptotic giant branch star.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.279-286
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• 2009

To study properties of the variation of the infrared emission of OH/IR stars, we collect and analyze the infrared observational data in K band for nine OH/IR stars. We use the observational data obtained for about three decades including recent data from the two micron all sky survey (2MASS) and the deep near infrared survey of the southern sky (DENIS). We use Marquardt-Levenberg algorithm to determine the pulsation period and amplitude for each star and compare them with previous results of infrared and radio investigations.