• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
• /
• v.40 no.1
• /
• pp.78.3-78.3
• /
• 2015

About 70 high redshift quasars with $z{\geq}5$ have been discovered through combinations of standard broad-band filters to distinguish them from contaminating sources. However, among the discovered quasars so far, there is a redshift gap at $5{\leq}z{\leq}6$ due to the limitation of traditional filter sets and selection techniques. To understand the early mass growth of supermassive black holes and the final stage of the cosmic reionization, it is important to find a statistically meaningful sample of quasars with various physical properties. Here we suggest a new selection technique of high redshift quasars using medium-band filters: nine filters with bandwidths of 50nm and central wavelengths from 625 to 1025nm. Photometry with these medium-bands traces the spectral energy distribution (SED) of a source, similar to spectroscopy with R~15. We installed these filters to SED camera for QUasars in EArly uNiverse (SQUEAN) on the 2.1m telescope at McDonald Observatory, and conducted test observations of known high redshift quasars at $4.7{\leq}z{\leq}6.1$ and also dwarf stars for comparison. We found differences in SED shapes between high redshift quasars and dwarf stars, determined their locations on color-color diagrams, and demonstrated that the medium-band filters can enhance the efficiency of selecting robust quasar candidates in this redshift range. In this poster, we propose an effective selection method of high redshift quasars using these medium-band filters and discuss its effect on our high redshift quasar survey.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
• /
• v.41 no.2
• /
• pp.37.3-37.3
• /
• 2016

The SPEHREx (Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer) is one of the candidates for the Astrophysical Small Explore mission of the NASA proposed together with KASI (PI Institute: Caltech). It will perform an all-sky near-infrared spectral survey to probe the origin of the Universe and water in the planetary systems and to explore the evolution of galaxies. The SPHEREx is designed to cover wide field of view of $3.5{\times}7deg$. as well as wide spectral range from 0.7 to $4.8{\mu}m$ by using four linear variable filters. The SPHEREx is under the Phase-A study to finalize the conceptual design and test plan of the instrument. The international partner, KASI will contribute to the SPHEREx in the hardware as well as the major science cases. The final selection will be made in the early 2017. Here, we report the current status of the SPHEREx mission.

• Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society
• /
• v.54 no.2
• /
• pp.37-47
• /
• 2021

Reverberation mapping (RM) is an efficient method to investigate the physical sizes of the broad line region (BLR) and dusty torus in an active galactic nucleus (AGN). The Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer (SPHEREx) mission will provide multi-epoch spectroscopic data at optical and near-infrared wavelengths. These data can be used for RM experiments with bright AGNs. We present results of a feasibility test using SPHEREx data in the SPHEREx deep regions for torus RM measurements. We investigate the physical properties of bright AGNs in the SPHEREx deep field. Based on this information, we compute the efficiency of detecting torus time lags in simulated light curves. We demonstrate that, in combination with complementary optical data with a depth of ~ 20 mag in B-band, lags of ≤ 750 days for tori can be measured for more than ~ 200 bright AGNs. If high signal-to-noise ratio photometric data with a depth of ~ 21-22 mag are available, RM measurements are possible for up to ~ 900 objects. When complemented by well-designed early optical observations, SPHEREx can provide a unique dataset for studies of the physical properties of dusty tori in bright AGNs.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
• /
• v.46 no.2
• /
• pp.45.1-45.1
• /
• 2021

Horizon Run 5 (HR5) is a cosmological hydrodynamical simulation which captures the properties of the Universe on aGpc scale while achieving a resolution of 1kpc. This enormous dynamic range allows us to simultaneously capture the physics of the cosmic web on very large scales and account for the formation and evolution of dwarf galaxies on much smaller scales. On the back of a remarkable achievement of this, we have finished to run follow-up simulations which have 2 times larger volume than before and are expected to complementary to some limitations of previous HR simulations both for the study on the large scale features and the expansion history in a distant Universe. For these simulations, we consider the sub-grid physics of radiative heating/cooling, reionization, star formation, SN/AGN feedbacks, chemical evolution and the growth of super-massive blackholes. In order to do this project, we implemented a hybrid MPI-OpenMP version of the RAMSES code, 'RAMSES-OMP', which is specifically designed for modern many-core many thread parallel systems. These simulation successfully reproduce various observation result and provide a large amount of statistical samples of Lyman-alpha emitters and protoclusters which are important to understand the formation and expansion history of early universe. These are invaluable assets for the interpretation of current ΛCDM cosmology and current/upcoming deep surveys of the Universe, such as the world largest narrow band imaging survey, ODIN (One-hundred-square-degree Dark energy camera Imaging in Narrow band).

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
• /
• v.45 no.1
• /
• pp.38.2-38.2
• /
• 2020

Horizon Run 5 (HR5) is a cosmological hydrodynamical simulation which captures the properties of the Universe on a Gpc scale while achieving a resolution of 1 kpc. This enormous dynamic range allows us to simultaneously capture the physics of the cosmic web on very large scales and account for the formation and evolution of dwarf galaxies on much smaller scales. Inside the simulation box. we zoom-in on a high-resolution cuboid region with a volume of 1049 × 114 × 114 Mpc3. The subgrid physics chosen to model galaxy formation includes radiative heating/cooling, reionization, star formation, supernova feedback, chemical evolution tracking the enrichment of oxygen and iron, the growth of supermassive black holes and feedback from active galactic nuclei (AGN) in the form of a dual jet-heating mode. For this simulation we implemented a hybrid MPI-OpenMP version of the RAMSES code, specifically targeted for modern many-core many thread parallel architectures. For the post-processing, we extended the Friends-of-Friend (FoF) algorithm and developed a new galaxy finder to analyse the large outputs of HR5. The simulation successfully reproduces many observations, such as the cosmic star formation history, connectivity of galaxy distribution and stellar mass functions. The simulation also indicates that hydrodynamical effects on small scales impact galaxy clustering up to very large scales near and beyond the baryonic acoustic oscillation (BAO) scale. Hence, caution should be taken when using that scale as a cosmic standard ruler: one needs to carefully understand the corresponding biases. The simulation is expected to be an invaluable asset for the interpretation of upcoming deep surveys of the Universe.

• Journal of Space Technology and Applications
• /
• v.1 no.3
• /
• pp.283-301
• /
• 2021

In order to satisfy the intellectual curiosity of mankind to explore the unknown, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the United States and European Space Agency (ESA) in Europe are embarking on various R&D under the motto of the grand dream of pioneering space into a safe and sustainable environment. In the 2020s and 30s, it is expected that advanced giant observation equipment will be in operation, such as the development of a 10-meter-class telescope in space. In Korea, following the development of the 0.15 m Near-Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (NISS), Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI) is also participating a 0.2 m Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer (SPHEREx) as an international cooperation partner in small exploration telescope. However, domestic experience in the development and operation of the space telescopes is still insufficient, and there is no plan with long-term prospects for constructing telescopes. In order to answer questions about the unknown world that mankind has not experienced using our own equipment, planning and preparation for the construction of a space telescope through close cooperation among industry-university-institute-government is urgently needed. In this paper, the necessity, background, development goals, and expected effects of the development of the Korean Space Telescope are summarized conceptually, and a working group (WG) is also proposed. In the WG activities, Korea shall take the lead in establishing the Korean-style space telescope development plan, and will start a valuable step to establish the national direction in the field of space astronomy and related technologies. We hope that the WG will be another milestone in Korea's space development.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
• /
• v.40 no.1
• /
• pp.54.3-54.3
• /
• 2015

To probe the star formation in local and early Universe, the NISS with a capability of imaging spectroscopy in the near-infrared is being developed by KASI. The main scientific targets are nearby galaxies, galaxy clusters, star-forming regions and low background regions. The off-axis optical design of the NISS with 15cm aperture was optimized to obtain a wide field of view (FoV) of $2deg.{\times}2deg.$ as well as a wide spectral coverage from 0.9 to $3.8{\mu}m$. The opto-mechanical structure was designed to be safe enough to endure in both the launching condition and the space environment. The dewar will operate $1k{\times}1k$ infrared sensor at 80K stage. The NISS will be launched in 2017 and explore the large areal near-infrared sky up to $200deg.^2$ in order to get both spatial and spectral information for astronomical objects. As an extension of the NISS, KASI is planning to participate in a new small space mission together with NASA. The promising candidate, SPHEREx (Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer) is an all-sky survey satellite designed to reveal the origin of the Universe and water in the planetary systems and to explore the evolution of galaxies. Though the survey concept is similar to that of the NISS, the SPHEREx will perform the first near-infrared all-sky imaging spectroscopic survey with the wider spectral range from 0.7 to $5{\mu}m$ and the wider FoV of $3.5deg.{\times}7deg.$ Here, we report the current status of the NISS and introduce new mission for the near-infrared imaging spectroscopic survey.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
• /
• v.42 no.2
• /
• pp.74.2-74.2
• /
• 2017

Faint quasars are important to test the possibility that quasars are the main contributor to the cosmic reionization. However, it has been difficult to find faint quasars due to the lack of deep, wide-field imaging data. In this poster, we present our efforts to find faint quasars in the ELAIS-N1 field through the deep data (iAB ~ 25) obtained by the Subaru Hyper Suprime-Cam (HSC) Strategic Program survey. To select reliable quasar candidate, we also use the near-infrared (NIR) data of the Infrared Medium-deep Survey (IMS) and the UKIRT Infrared Deep Sky Survey (UKIDSS) - Deep Extragalactic Survey (DXS). Using multiple-band color cuts, we select high redshift quasar candidates. To confirm them as high redshift quasars, candidates are observed by the SED camera for QUasars in EArly uNiverse (SQUEAN) instrument in several medium band filters that can sample the redshifted Lyman break efficiency. The quasar sample will be used to study the growth of BH and stellar mass, the relation between the quasar activity and the host galaxy, and their contribution to the cosmic re-ionization.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
• /
• v.43 no.1
• /
• pp.47.1-47.1
• /
• 2018

The NISS (Near-infrared Imaging Spectrometer for Star formation history) onboard NEXTSat-1 have successfully developed by KASI. The capability of both imaging and spectroscopy is a unique function of the NISS. At first, it have realized the low-resolution spectroscopy (R~20) with a wide field of view of $2{\times}2deg$. in a wide near-infrared range from 0.95 to $2.5{\mu}m$. The major scientific mission is to study the cosmic star formation history in local and distant universe. It will also demonstrate the space technologies related to the infrared spectro-photometry in space. Now, the NISS is ready to launch in late 2018. After the launch, the NISS will be operated during 2 years. As an extension of the NISS, the SPEHREx (Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer) is the NASA MIDEX (Medium-class Explorer) mission proposed together with KASI (PI Institute: Caltech). It will perform the first all-sky infrared spectro-photometric survey to probe the origin of our Universe, to explore the origin and evolution of galaxies, and to explore whether planets around other stars could harbor life. Compared to the NISS, the SPHEREx is designed to have much more wide FoV of $3.5{\times}11.3deg$. as well as wide spectral range from 0.75 to $5.0{\mu}m$. After passing the first selection process, the SPHEREx is under the Phase-A study. The final selection will be made in the end of 2018. Here, we report the status of the NISS and SPHEREx missions.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
• /
• v.41 no.1
• /
• pp.58.2-58.2
• /
• 2016

The NISS (Near-infrared Imaging Spectrometer for Star formation history) onboard NEXTSat-1 is the near-infrared instrument optimized to the first small satellite of NEXTSat series. The capability of both imaging and low spectral resolution spectroscopy with the Field of View of $2{\times}2deg.$ in the near-infrared range from 0.9 to $3.8{\mu}m$ is a unique function of the NISS. The major scientific mission is to study the cosmic star formation history in local and distant universe. The Flight Model of the NISS is being developed and tested. After an integration into NEXTSat-1, it will be tested under the space environment. The NISS will be launched in 2017 and it will be operated during 2 years. As an extension of the NISS, SPEHREx (Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer) is the NASA SMEX (SMall EXploration) mission proposed together with KASI (PI Institute: Caltech). It will perform an all-sky near-infrared spectral survey to probe the origin of our Universe; explore the origin and evolution of galaxies, and explore whether planets around other stars could harbor life. The SPHEREx is designed to have wider FoV of $3.5{\times}7deg.$ as well as wider spectral range from 0.7 to $4.8{\mu}m$. After passing the first selection process, SPHEREx is under the Phase-A study. The final selection will be made in the end of 2016. Here, we report the current status of the NISS and SPHEREx missions.