• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.267-282
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• 2008

The GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) signal is delayed by the neutral atmosphere at the troposphere, so that the delay is one of major error sources for GNSS precise positioning. The tropospheric delay is an integrated refractive index along the path of GNSS signal. The refractive index is empirically related to standard meteorological variables, such as pressure, temperature and water vapor partial pressure, therefore the tropospheric delay could be calculated from them. In this paper, it is presented how to generate meteorological data where observation cannot be performed. KASI(Korea Astronomy & Space Science Institute) has operated 9 GPS (Global Positioning System) permanent stations equipped with co-located MET3A, which is a meteorological sensor. Meteorological data are generated from observations of MET3A by Ordinary Kriging. To compensate a blank of observation data, simple models which consider periodic characteristics for meteorological data, are employed.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.315-328
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• 2004

In this paper, we present a good example of extreme solar and geomagnetic activities from October to November, 2003. These activities are characterized by very large sunspot groups, X-class solar flares, strong particle events, and huge geomagnetic storms. We discuss ground-based and space-based data in terms of space weather scales. Especially, we present several solar and geomagnetic disturbance data produced in Korea : sunspots, geo-magnetograms, aurora, Ionogram, and Total Electron Content (TEC) map by GPS data. Finally, we introduce some examples of the satellite orbit and communication effects caused by these activities; e.g., the disturbances of the KOMPSAT-1 operational orbit and HF communication.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.151-159
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• 2015

The fundamental conception in physics of the propagation of the electromagnetic wave polarization in matter is newly understood as the cardinal keyword in free-space quantum communication technology and cosmology in astrophysics. Interactive visualization of the propagation mechanism of polarized electromagnetism in a medium with its helicity has accordingly received attention from scientists exploiting the protocol of quantum key distribution (QKD) to guarantee unconditional security in cryptography communication. We have provided a dynamic polarization platform for presenting the polarization modes of a transverse electromagnetic wave, converting the state of polarization through the arrangement of optical elements, using Jones vectors calculations in Methematica. The platform graphically simulates the mechanism of production and propagation of the polarized waves in a medium while satisfying Maxwell's equations.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.69-77
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• 2012

This report describes the inception, development and extensive use over 30 years of elliptical polarimeters at the University of Pennsylvania. The initial Mark I polarimeter design utilized oriented retarder plates and a calcite Foster-Clarke prism as the analyzer. The Mark I polarimeter was used on the Kitt Peak 0.9 m in 1969-70 to accomplish a survey of approximately 70 objects before the device was relocated to the 0.72 m reflector at the Flower and Cook Observatory. Successive generations of automation and improvements included the early-80's optical redesign to utilize a photoelastic modulated wave plate and an Ithaco lock-in amplifier-the photoelastic modulating polarimeter. The final design in 2000 concluded with a fully remote operable device. The legacy of the polarimetric programs includes studies of close binaries, pulsating hot stars, and luminous late-type variables.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.183-197
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• 2017

We present simulations of the optical-band images of high-redshift galaxies utilizing 845 near-ultraviolet (NUV) images of nearby galaxies obtained through the Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX). We compute the concentration (C), asymmetry (A), Gini (G), and $M_{20}$ parameters of the GALEX NUV/Sloan Digital Sky Survey r-band images at z ~ 0 and their artificially redshifted optical images at z = 0.9 and 1.6 in order to quantify the morphology of galaxies at local and high redshifts. The morphological properties of nearby galaxies in the NUV are presented using a combination of morphological parameters, in which early-type galaxies are well separated from late-type galaxies in the $G-M_{20}$, $C-M_{20}$, A-C, and $A-M_{20}$ planes. Based on the distribution of galaxies in the A-C and $G-M_{20}$ planes, we examine the morphological K-correction (i.e., cosmological distance effect and bandshift effect). The cosmological distance effect on the quantitative morphological parameters is found to be significant for early-type galaxies, while late-type galaxies are more greatly affected by the bandshift effect. Knowledge of the morphological K-correction will set the foundation for forthcoming studies on understanding the quantitative assessment of galaxy evolution.

• 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.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.101-120
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• 2014

The nature of the exotic stellar corpses which reincarnate by consuming their companion is reviewed. Apart from sucking life from their partners, they are actually eating the doomed companions away by their deadly and powerful particle/radiation beams. Such situation resembles that a female "black widow" spider that eats its mate after mating. These celestial zombies are called - Millisecond pulsars (MSPs). In this review article, I will focus on the effort of Fermi Asian Network (FAN) in exploring these intricating objects over the last five years. Two special classes of MSPs are particularly striking. Since Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope has started surveying the gamma-ray sky, the population of "black widows" has been boosted. Another dramatic class is so-called "redbacks" (Australian cousin of "black widows") which has just emerged in the last few years. These MSPs provide us with a long-sought missing link in understanding the transition between accretion-powered and rotation-powered systems. The strategy of hunting MSPs through mulitwavelength observations of the unidentified Fermi objects is also reviewed.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.117-122
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• 2011

In this paper, the anisotropic nature of the magnetic turbulence associated with magnetic dipolarizations in the Earth's plasma sheet is examined. Specifically, we determine the power spectral indices for the perpendicular and parallel components of the fluctuating magnetic field with respect to the background magnetic field, and compare them in order to identify possible anisotropic features. For this study, we identify a total of 47 dipolarization events in February 2008 using the magnetic field data observed by the THEMIS A, D and E satellites when they are situated near the neutral sheet in the near-Earth tail. For the identified events, we estimate the spectral indices for the frequency range from 1.3 mHz to 42 mHz. The results show that the degree of anisotropy, as defined by the ratio of the spectral index of the perpendicular components to that of the parallel component, can range from ~0.2 to ~2.6, and there are more events associated with the ratio greater than unity (i.e., the perpendicular index being greater than the parallel index) than those which are anisotropic in the opposite sense. This implies that the dipolarization-associated turbulence of the magnetic field is often anisotropic, to some non-negligible degree. We then discuss how this result differs from what the theory of homogeneous, anisotropic, magnetohydrodynamic turbulence would predict.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.13-16
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• 2011

The $CH_3OH$ $4_2-5_1$ E transition was observed toward the Sgr B2 region, including the Principal Cloud and its surroundings. This methanol transition shows an extended emission along the 2'N cloud, which is believed to be colliding with the Principal Cloud and may trigger the massive star formation in this cloud. This extended methanol emission may also suggest that the 2'N cloud is under shocks. We derive total methanol column density $N(CH_3OH)\;=\;2.9{\pm}0.3{\times}10^{14}\;cm^{-2}$ toward the peak position of the extended emission. The fractional abundance of methanol is about 10.9, relative to the estimated total $H_2$ abundance, which is similar to the methanol abundances in quiet gas phase.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.209-220
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• 2004

Some methods have been presented to get optimal formation trajectories in the step of configuration or reconfiguration, which subject to constraints of collision avoidance and final configuration. In this study, a method for optimal formation trajectory-planning is introduced in view of fuel/time minimization using parameter optimization technique which has not been applied to optimal trajectory-planning for satellite formation flying. New constraints of nonlinear equality are derived for final configuration and constraints of nonlinear inequality are used for collision avoidance. The final configuration constraints are that three or more satellites should be placed in an equilateral polygon of the circular horizontal plane orbit. Several examples are given to get optimal trajectories based on the parameter optimization problem which subjects to constraints of collision avoidance and final configuration. They show that the introduced method for trajectory-planning is well suited to trajectory design problems of formation flying missions.