• Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society
• /
• v.38 no.2
• /
• pp.319-324
• /
• 2005

To date, more than 150 exo-solar planets have been observed by various methods such as spectroscopic, photometric, astrometric, gravitational lensing, pulsar timing methods. However, all these are indirect methods; they do not directly image the planets. Only free-floating planets or their 'ana-log' have been directly detected so far. Thus the next milestone is the direct imaging of any kinds of planetary mass objects orbiting around normal (young) stars, which might have been associated with protoplanetary disks, the sites of planet formation. I will describe some SUBARU efforts to detect self-luminous young giant planets as companions as well as direct imaging of the protoplanetary disks of ${\~}$100 AU size. The results of near-infrared coronagraphic imaging with adaptive optics are briefly presented on AB Aur, HD 142527, T Tau, and DH Tau. Our results demonstrate the importance of high-resolution (${\~}$0.1 arcsec) direct imaging over indirect observations such as modeling based on spectral energy distributions. The SUBARU observations are a prelude to ALMA from the morphological point of view.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
• /
• v.41 no.1
• /
• pp.35-42
• /
• 2024

Sungrazing comets, known for their proximity to the Sun, are traditionally classified into broad groups like Kreutz, Marsden, Kracht, Meyer, and non-group comets. While existing methods successfully categorize these groups, finer distinctions within the Kreutz subgroup remain a challenge. In this study, we introduce an automated classification technique using the densitybased spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAN) algorithm to categorize sungrazing comets. Our method extends traditional classifications by finely categorizing the Kreutz subgroup into four distinct subgroups based on a comprehensive range of orbital parameters, providing critical insights into the origins and dynamics of these comets. Corroborative analyses validate the accuracy and effectiveness of our method, offering a more efficient framework for understanding the categorization of sungrazing comets.

• Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society
• /
• v.49 no.1
• /
• pp.45-51
• /
• 2016

The coronagraph is an instrument that enables the investigation of faint features in the vicinity of the Sun, particularly coronal mass ejections (CMEs). So far coronagraphic observations have been mainly used to determine the geometric and kinematic parameters of CMEs. Here, we introduce a new method for the determination of CME temperature using a two filter (4025 Å and 3934 Å) coronagraph system. The thermal motion of free electrons in CMEs broadens the absorption lines in the optical spectra that are produced by the Thomson scattering of visible light originating in the photosphere, which affects the intensity ratio at two different wavelengths. Thus the CME temperature can be inferred from the intensity ratio measured by the two filter coronagraph system. We demonstrate the method by invoking the graduated cylindrical shell (GCS) model for the 3-dimensional CME density distribution and discuss its significance.