• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.299-320
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• 2008

We study on the astronomical calendars that was used in the Silla era. The calendars are deduced from the records in Samguksagi. They were influenced from calendaric system of Tang Dynasty, which are Lin duk calendar(麟德曆), Ta yen calendar(大衍曆) and Sun myung calendar(宣明曆). We analyse them in detail according to the time and duration of use. Water clock system of Unified Silla was used four water vessels for supplying water. We found the model from documents on ancient water clock that are appeared in the old Korean, Chinese and Japanese historical records. We have assumed the model of Unified Silla clepsydra is similar type with Chinese records during Tang dynasty and with Japanese reconstructed water clock in Temple Asoka. After fluid dynamic experiment, we decide the suitable diameter of supplying pipe and volume of the vessels used in the clepsydra. We introduce the experimental instruments and methods for accomplishing the clock. We designed and reconstructed the water clock of Unified Silla and float rods for measuring time, that is based on the Silla's calendaric system.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.42-42
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• 2012

The First stars (Pop.III stars) in the universe are expected to be formed between the recombination era at z - 1100 and the most distant quasar (z - 8). They have never been directly detected due to its faintness so far, but can be observed as a background radiation at around 1${\mu}m$ which is called the Cosmic Near-Infrared Background (CNB). Main part of the CNB is thought to be redshifted Lyman-alpha from gas clouds surrounding the Pop.III stars. Until now, the COBE (COsmic Background Explorer) and the IRTS (Infrared Telescope in Space) observed excess emission over the background due to galaxies. To confirm the COBE and the IRTS results and pursue more observational evidences, we carried out the sounding rocket experiment named the Cosmic Infrared Background ExpeRiment (CIBER). The CIBER is successfully launched on July 10, 2010 at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, USA. It consists of three kinds of instruments. We report the results obtained by LRS (Low Resolution Spectrometer) which is developed to fill the uncovered spectrum around 1${\mu}m$. LRS is a refractive telescope of 5.5 cm aperture with spectral resolution of 20 - 30 and wavelength coverage of 0.7 to 2.0${\mu}m$. After subtracting foreground components (zodiacal light, integrated star light and diffuse galactic light) from the sky brightness of observed five fields, there remained significant residual emission (even for the lower limit case) consistent with the IRTS and the COBE results. In addition, there exists a clear gap at 0.7 - 0.8${\mu}m$ in the CNB spectrum over the background due to galaxies according to recent results (Matsuoka et al. 2011; Mattila et al. 2011). The origin of the excess emission could be ascribed to the Pop.III stars with its active era of z = 7 - 10.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.40.3-41
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• 2017

Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute The observation of particles and waves using a single satellite inherently suffers from space-time ambiguity. Recently, such ambiguity has often been resolved by multi-satellite observations; however, the inter-satellite distances were generally larger than 100 km. Hence, the ambiguity could be resolved only for large-scale (> 100 km) structures while numerous microscale phenomena have been observed at low altitude satellite orbits. In order to resolve those spatial and temporal variations of the microscale plasma structures on the topside ionosphere, SNIPE mission consisted of four (TBD) nanosatellites (~10 kg) will be launched into a polar orbit at an altitude of 700 km (TBD). Two pairs of satellites will be deployed on orbit and the distances between each satellite will be from 10 to 100 km controlled by a formation flying algorithm. The SNIPE mission is equipped with scientific payloads which can measure the following geophysical parameters: density/temperature of cold ionospheric electrons, energetic (~100 keV) electron flux, and magnetic field vectors. All the payloads will have high temporal resolution (~ 16 Hz (TBD)). This mission is planned to launch in 2020. The SNIPE mission aims to elucidate microscale (100 m-10 km) structures in the topside ionosphere (below altitude of 1,000 km), especially the fine-scale morphology of high-energy electron precipitation, cold plasma density/temperature, field-aligned currents, and electromagnetic waves. Hence, the mission will observe microscale structures of the following phenomena in geospace: high-latitude irregularities, such as polar-cap patches; field-aligned currents in the auroral oval; electro-magnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves; hundreds keV electrons' precipitations, such as electron microbursts; subauroral plasma density troughs; and low-latitude plasma irregularities, such as ionospheric blobs and bubbles. We have developed a 6U nanosatellite bus system as the basic platform for the SNIPE mission. Three basic plasma instruments shall be installed on all of each spacecraft, Particle Detector (PD), Langmuir Probe (LP), and Scientific MAGnetometer (SMAG). In addition we now discuss with NASA and JAXA to collaborate with the other payload opportunities into SNIPE mission.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.63.4-64
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• 2016

본 발표에서는 DSLR 카메라와 CCD를 이용하여 과학고등학교의 R&E교육과정에서 수행한 몇 가지 실험과 그 결과를 소개한다. DSLR 카메라와 SQM을 이용한 밤하늘 특성 분석, CCD를 이용한 고유운동 측정, DSLR을 이용한 산개성단의 측광, CCD를 이용한 산개성단의 측광과 이를 통한 산개성단의 질량분리와 역학적 진화에 대한 연구이다. 실험은 부산일과학고, 울산과학고, 부산과학고에서 수행되었으며, 모든 실험의 결과는 학생들이 직접 관측한 결과를 바탕으로 이루어졌다. 본 실험의 방법과 과정은 일선 학교에서 응용하여 활용될 수 있으며, 실험의 결과는 향후 유사한 실험 교육을 수행할 때 기초 자료로 활용되어 질 수 있다.

• Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.49-60
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• 2021

Observations of line of sight (LOS) Doppler velocity and non-thermal line width in the off-limb solar corona are often used for investigating the Alfvén wave signatures in the corona. In this study, we compare LOS Doppler velocities and non-thermal line widths obtained simultaneously from two different instruments, Coronal Multichannel Polarimeter (CoMP) and Hinode/EUV Imaging Spectrometer (EIS), on various off-limb coronal regions: flaring and quiescent active regions, equatorial quiet region, and polar prominence and plume regions observed in 2012-2014. CoMP provides the polarization at the Fe xiii 10747 Å coronal forbidden lines which allows their spectral line intensity, LOS Doppler velocity, and line width to be measured with a low spectral resolution of 1.2 Å in 2-D off limb corona between 1.05 and 1.40 RSun, while Hinode/EIS gives us the EUV spectral information with a high spectral resolution (0.025 Å) in a limited field of view raster scan. In order to compare them, we make pseudo raster scan CoMP maps using information of each EIS scan slit time and position. We compare the CoMP and EIS spectroscopic maps by visual inspection, and examine their pixel to pixel correlations and percentages of pixel numbers satisfying the condition that the differences between CoMP and EIS spectroscopic quantities are within the EIS measurement accuracy: ±3 km s-1 for LOS Doppler velocity and ±9 km s-1 for non-thermal width. The main results are summarized as follows. By comparing CoMP and EIS Doppler velocity distributions, we find that they are consistent with each other overall in the active regions and equatorial quiet region (0.25 ≤ CC ≤ 0.7), while they are partially similar to each other in the overlying loops of prominences and near the bottom of the polar plume (0.02 ≤ CC ≤ 0.18). CoMP Doppler velocities are consistent with the EIS ones within the EIS measurement accuracy in most regions (≥ 87% of pixels) except for the polar region (45% of pixels). We find that CoMP and EIS non-thermal width distributions are similar overall in the active regions (0.06 ≤ CC ≤ 0.61), while they seem to be different in the others (-0.1 ≤ CC ≤ 0.00). CoMP non-thermal widths are similar to EIS ones within the EIS measurement accuracy in a quiescent active region (79% of pixels), while they do not match in the other regions (≤ 61% of pixels); the CoMP observations tend to underestimate the widths by about 20% to 40% compared to the EIS ones. Our results demonstrate that CoMP observations can provide reliable 2-D LOS Doppler velocity distributions on active regions and might provide their non-thermal width distributions.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.58.1-59
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• 2021

Exploration of asteroids' internal structure is essential for understanding their evolutional history. It also provides a fundamental information about the history of coalescence and collision of the solar system. Among several models of the internal structures, the rubble-pile model, confirmed by the near-Earth asteroid (25143) Itokawa by Hayabusa mission [1], is now widely regarded as the most common to asteroids with size ranging from 200 m to 10 km [2]. On the contrary, monolithic and core-mantle structures are also possible for small asteroids [3]. It is, however, still challenging to look through the interior of a target object using remote-sensing devices. In this presentation, we introduce our ongoing research conducted at Seoul National and propose an idea to infer the internal structure of Apophis using available instruments. Itokawa's research provides an important benchmark for Apophis exploration because both asteroids have similar size and composition [4][5]. We have conducted research on Itokawa's evolution in terms of collision and space weathering. Space weathering is the surface alteration process caused by solar wind implantation and micrometeorite bombardment [6]. Meanwhile, resurfacing via a collision acts as a counter-process of space weathering by exposing fresh materials under the matured layer and lower the overall degree of space weathering. Therefore, the balance of these two processes determine the space weathering degrees of the asteroid. We focus on the impact evidence on the boulder surface and found that space weathering progresses in only 100-10,000 years and modifies the surface optical properties (Jin & Ishiguro, KAS 2020 Fall Meeting). It is important to note that the timescale is significantly shorter than the Itokawa's age, suggesting that the asteroid can be totally processed by space weathering. Accordingly, our result triggers a further discussion about why Itokawa indicates a moderately fresh spectrum (Sq-type denotes less matured than S-type). For example, Itokawa's smooth terrains show a weaker degree of space weathering than other S-type asteroids [7]. We conjecture that the global seismic shaking caused by collisions with >1 mm-sized interplanetary dust particles induces granular convection, which hinders the progression of space weathering [8]. Note that the efficiency of seismic wave propagation is strongly dependent on the internal structure of the asteroid. Finally, we consider possible approaches to investigate Apophis's internal structure. The first idea is studying the space weathering age, as conducted for Itokawa. If Apophis indicates a younger age, the internal structure would have more voids [9]. In addition, the 2029 close encounter with Earth provides a rare natural opportunity to witness the contrast between before and after the event. If the asteroid exhibits a slight change in shape and space weathering degree, one can determine the physical structure of the internal materials (e.g., rubble-pile monolithic, thick or thin regolith layer, the cohesion of the materials). We will also consider a possible science using a seismometer.

• 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 Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.209-218
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• 2020

This paper describes the initial operations and preliminary results of the Instrument for the study of Stable/Storm-time Space (ISSS) onboard the microsatellite Next Generation Small Satellite-1 (NEXTSat-1), which was launched on December 4, 2018 into a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 575 km with an orbital inclination angle of 97.7°. The spacecraft and the instruments have been working normally, and the results from the observations are in agreement with those from other satellites. Nevertheless, improvement in both the spacecraft/instrument operation and the analysis is suggested to produce more fruitful scientific results from the satellite operations. It is expected that the ISSS observations will become the main mission of the NEXTSat-1 at the end of 2020, when the technological experiments and astronomical observations terminate after two years of operation.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.201-210
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• 2018

The characterization of detectors installed in space- and ground-based instruments is important to evaluate the system performance. We report the development of a detector performance test system for astronomical applications using the Andor iKon M CCD camera. The performance test system consists of a light source, monochromator, integrating sphere, and power meters. We adopted the Czerny-Tuner monochromator with three ruled gratings and one mirror, which covers a spectral range of 200-9,000 nm with a spectral resolution of ~1 nm in the visible region. Various detector characteristics, such as the quantum efficiency, sensitivity, and noise, can be measured in wide wavelength ranges from the visible to mid-infrared regions. We evaluated the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI) detector performance test system by using the performance verification of the Andor iKon-M CCD camera. The test procedure includes measurements of the conversion gain ($2.86e^-/ADU$), full well capacity ($130K\;e^-$), nonlinearity, and pixel defects. We also estimated the read noise, dark current, and quantum efficiency as a function of the temperature. The lowest measured read noise is $12e^-$. The dark current at 223 K was determined to be $7e^-/s/pix$ and its doubling temperature is $5.3^{\circ}C{\pm}0.2^{\circ}C$ at an activation energy of 0.6 eV. The maximum quantum efficiency at 223 K was estimated to be $93%{\pm}2%$. We proved that the quantum efficiency is sensitive to the operating temperature. It varies up to 5 % in the visible region, while the variation increases to 30 % in the near-infrared region. Based on the comparison of our results with the test report by the vendor, we conclude that our performance test results are consistent with those from the vendor considering the test environment. We also confirmed that the KASI detector performance test system is reliable and our measurement method and analysis are accurate.