• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.121-125
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• 2015

At the suggestion of the NASA Meteoroid Environment Office (NASA/MEO), which promotes lunar impact monitoring worldwide during NASA's Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) mission period (launched Sept. 2013), we set up a video observation system for lunar impact flashes using a 16-inch educational telescope at Chungnam National University. From Oct. 2013 through Apr. 2014, we recorded 80 hours of video observation of the unilluminated part of the crescent moon in the evening hours. We found a plausible candidate impact flash on Feb. 3, 2014 at selenographic longitude $2.1^{\circ}$ and latitude $25.4^{\circ}$. The flash lasted for 0.2 s and the light curve was asymmetric with a slow decrease after a peak brightness of $8.7{\pm}0.3mag$. Based on a star-like distribution of pixel brightness and asymmetric light curve, we conclude that the observed flash was due to a meteoroid impact on the lunar surface. Since unequivocal detection of an impact flash requires simultaneous observation from at least two sites, we strongly recommend that other institutes and universities in Korea set up similar inexpensive monitoring systems involving educational or amateur telescopes, and that they collaborate in the near future.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.65.1-65.1
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• 2014

달에 떨어지는 유성체(lunar meteoroid)는 그대로 표면에 충돌하여 섬광(flash)을 일으킨다. 이 현상은 매우 희미하고 순간적이지만 고감도 비디오카메라를 이용하면 지상 관측이 가능하다고 알려져 있다. 2013년 10월에 발사된 NASA의 Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer(LADEE)가 달 주위의 대기 및 먼지 환경을 측정하고 있는 동안 전 세계 지상관측 네트워크도 달 표면 충돌 감시 관측을 수행 중에 있다. 충남대학교에서도 LADEE 미션 시작인 10월부터 16인치 망원경에 고감도 비디오카메라를 장착한 시스템을 구성하여 매달 초승부터 상현까지 관측을 진행해왔다. 관측은 달 표면의 어두운 영역을 초당 30프레임으로 녹화하였으며, NASA에서 제공한 LunarScan 소프트웨어를 사용하여 섬광을 찾는 분석 작업을 수행하였다. 현재까지 약 70시간 동안 관측하고 분석하여 충돌 섬광 후보를 발견하였다. 본 발표에서 달 충돌 섬광 관측시스템에 대해 소개하고, 관측된 충돌 섬광 후보의 분석 결과를 제시할 것이다.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.103.2-103.2
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• 2011

We measure the degree of polarization of the lunar regolith to map the distributions of the age and the particle size. We use a 12cm refracting telescope with a 2k-square pixel color CCD (R band) and a polarization filter. The angular resolution obtained is 3.02 km/pixel. Our goal is to obtain a map of the lunar particle size distribution on the lunar regolith and then that of the age distribution. Polarization of the light scattered by lunar surface contains information on their mean particle size. The mean particle size of the lunar surface has been decreased by continued micro-meteoroid impact over a long period. One can estimate the age of the lunar surface if the mean particle size is known. Particle sizes can be measured through observations of polarization because the mean particle size is related to the maximum polarization and albedo. The age and the particle size of the lunar regolith can give vital information for the future lunar exploration.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.93.2-93.2
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• 2013

Polarization of the light scattered by the lunar surface contains information on the mean particle size of the lunar regolith, which gradually decreases by continued micro-meteoroid impact over a long period and thus is an age indicator of the surface. We performed multi-band (U, B, V, R and I) polarimetric observations toward the whole near side of the Moon at the Lick observatory using a 15-cm reflecting telescope with 1.1km/pixel spatial resolution at the center of the lunar disk. We analyze the color dependence of the polarization properties of the lunar regolith and discuss its implication for the study of lunar swirls.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.39 no.10
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• pp.49-55
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• 2023

The discovery of lunar ice in the lunar polar region has fueled international interest in in situ resource utilization (ISRU) and the construction of lunar habitats. Unlike Earth's atmosphere, the Moon presents unique challenges, including frequent meteoroid impacts, direct exposure to space radiation, and extreme temperature variations. To safeguard lunar habitats from these threats, the construction of a protective shield is essential. Lunar regolith, as a construction material, offers distinct advantages, reducing transportation costs and ensuring a sustainable supply of raw materials. Moreover, it streamlines manufacturing, integration schedules, and enables easy repairs and modifications without Earth resupply. Adjusting the shield's thickness within the habitat's structural limits remains feasible as lunar conditions evolve. Although extensive research on protective shields using lunar regolith has been conducted, unresolved conflicts persist regarding shield requirements. This study conducts a comprehensive analysis of the primary lunar threats and suggests a minimum shield thickness of 2 m using lunar regolith. Furthermore, it outlines the necessary technology for the rapid construction of such protective shields.